FIRST WEEK AS A KNOWINGLY AUTISTIC WOMAN!

I don't know if this is still the "honeymoon" period, but I'm still on cloud nine and have now told everyone I know. With the exception of one 'friend' (who said we are all on the spectrum and she wasn't prepared to take it seriously until I've got an official diagnosis - and then proceeded to tell me in an accusatory tone of all the situations where I have embarrassed her and not behaved appropriately).

Last week, I made a REAL effort to block out people, noise etc that I would ordinarily have commented loudly on, alienating people in the process, and although this is clearly masking, it is necessary in order to get through a day without the usual conflict. I imagine this what "normal" people do...The result, is that I have had a conflict free week! Yes, it was tiring being concious of how I was, what I said and how I said it, may be it's a question of fake it til you make it.

I now have the enormous task of deciding whether or not to contact my 86 year old mother, who I have not spoken to for 25 years, who was obsessive and controlling to me as a child, as it is now blindingly obvious that she is autistic too...Any advice from someone who has had the same dilemma would be deeply appreciated

Parents
  • Good for you!   

    No advice from me, but I'm recently diagnosed also and can now see that my sister and probably mother are also on the spectrum.  I don't have a good relationship with my 81 year old mother, and I thought about telling her  - but she wouldn't understand, she won't change, she probably wouldn't even accept it.  For now I've only decided not to take any decisions :)  as I haven't figured out what I would want to achieve by telling her.  What would it bring me? What would it bring her?  I was diagnosed less than two weeks ago so still quite fresh.     Best of luck!  

  • It is SO wonderful that people like me respond so quickly...You are probably right about speaking to my mother...I just need to calm it down a bit and get used to my situation. Thank you x

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