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
  • I received my report by email just a few hours ago having been diagnosed at a clinic in mid-January.  I’m feeling exactly the same emotions right now.  Who do I tell?

    The plan was to get the report as confirmation, then feel as if I have the proof of diagnosis by a qualified professional to show to my NT family.

    But at the end of the day, what really matters is that 13 page report is YOUR proof that YOU have made the decision to confirm and YOU can start to make sense of things.  It may be useful for some people but if you think your mum wouldn’t benefit, it’s not your problem.

  • Thank you all for the comments...I've just been watching Ted talks on female autism, and it's been life affirming and a great relief to k ow there are SO many others that have gone through the same stuff. Pity it took 62 years to work it out, but hipefully the last 30 years will be living authe tically!

    BRING IT ON!!!

Reply Children
No Data