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What was your life like before you knew you were autistic?

Homebird

There have been quite a few comments recently since the recent documentaries about the experiences of those of us who are older. This made me wonder how my life would have been like had I known why some things were difficult. I spent a lot of my life wishing I could relate to others more easily, like others I came in contact with.  I guess since knowing I have wished less to be like others and tried to accept how I am. 

I had some interesting experiences in my younger days, including a few trips to interesting places abroad. I am glad I have those memories. However today I find a lot of ordinary things challenging and am happy to be at home a lot of the time. I have always found home to be my safe place, but occasionally managed to go beyond my comfort zone.

How have others found the change since knowing they were autistic?

Parents

  • It helped me a lot finally finding out that I am autistic at age 25. I have known from quite a young age that I am somehow 'different'. My mum and I said we were 'aliens'. I think it was confusing at times as I couldn't understand why some things/ situations were so difficult when they seemed easy to others. I think I pushed myself too hard too at times because I didn't realise why I was different and felt like I should be able to cope like others. 

    I started having more mental health issues as I grew older and before I was diagnosed with autism. I felt like I was just collecting these random diagnoses, none of which really seemed to fit and noone seemed able to help. I didn't seem to fit into their categories and as a result their approach to helping didn't do much for me. It was frustrating. In fact when my dietitian mentioned that she thought I could be autistic, I initially completely dismissed it as I didn't know about how autism presents in women and my reaction was ' I really do not need another label... ' . By that time I had amassed quite a diverse collection: depression, eating disorders (different categories- they really didn't get that right either.... it was ARFID all along), suggestion of OCD, anxiety etc. But when I started reading about autism it suddenly made so much sense. I mean there was then a huge confusion, the impostor syndrome issue etc. but I was referred for assessment and I eventually got diagnosed. 

    I still face a lot of challenges but I feel like now at least I understand myself better and can start to tackle some of my issues. I feel like I have finally stopped 'barking up the wrong tree'. 

Reply

  • It helped me a lot finally finding out that I am autistic at age 25. I have known from quite a young age that I am somehow 'different'. My mum and I said we were 'aliens'. I think it was confusing at times as I couldn't understand why some things/ situations were so difficult when they seemed easy to others. I think I pushed myself too hard too at times because I didn't realise why I was different and felt like I should be able to cope like others. 

    I started having more mental health issues as I grew older and before I was diagnosed with autism. I felt like I was just collecting these random diagnoses, none of which really seemed to fit and noone seemed able to help. I didn't seem to fit into their categories and as a result their approach to helping didn't do much for me. It was frustrating. In fact when my dietitian mentioned that she thought I could be autistic, I initially completely dismissed it as I didn't know about how autism presents in women and my reaction was ' I really do not need another label... ' . By that time I had amassed quite a diverse collection: depression, eating disorders (different categories- they really didn't get that right either.... it was ARFID all along), suggestion of OCD, anxiety etc. But when I started reading about autism it suddenly made so much sense. I mean there was then a huge confusion, the impostor syndrome issue etc. but I was referred for assessment and I eventually got diagnosed. 

    I still face a lot of challenges but I feel like now at least I understand myself better and can start to tackle some of my issues. I feel like I have finally stopped 'barking up the wrong tree'. 

Children
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