I was a late diagnosis, I am 67 now and was mid-50s when diagnosed.
In a way, it was a relief as it explained my life "issues" since secondary school.
Mainly, I struggle with emotional responses and interaction with others. I have meltdowns with no recollection of events leading up to it.
Have had a successful career, Royal Navy electronics engineer into IT.
I am married with two adult children.
I describe myself as not far enough on the spectrum to not want relationship, but far enough to not know what to do 
Life has always been stressful, even after diagnosis.
I am good at pretending to be "normal" in everyday interactions, but it is tiring to maintain.
Anyway, I have functioned in the real world until recently.
I retired December 2020, mid Covid as work environment just became too toxic.
4 months later, after sudden onset of excructiating joint pain, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Out of the blue, never been really ill all my life.
Then August last year my wife was diagnosed with bowel cancer and had emergency operation and chemo.
I am struggling to provide the emotional support she needs, and the ongoing RA issues are hard to deal with.
I feel I just want to hide away...
Plus retirement after 50 years working is a shock to the system.
Apologies for this rambling first post, but I have no real friends (that emotional connection problem) and my wife doesn't want me dumping this on son and daughter (understandable).
Plus my wife often thinks I exaggerate the autism for sympathy and I don't think she really believes.
I wish I could show people how the world is to me...
Just not coping with my world as it is now.
