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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

  • Far worse than it is now. I always felt I was trying to be something and that there was a secret to sucess in life that eveyone else had and I just couldnt figure out. I would mirror other people and try to be like them so I would fit in with society. I would force myself to do jobs and things that I couldnt do as I felt everyone else can do it why cant I 
    I thought I was either weak or lazy for not being able to cope with normal work and I compensated for my social anxiety and lack of social skills by making myself the class clown, being loud and brash and doing some truly stupid things. I figured if people were laughing at the things I did then they wouldnt see how scared I was underneath. I also drank way to much to calm my nerves in social situations

    Thankfully I can say none of that is the case anymore. Discovering my autism changed everything and helped me make sense of my life and start to accept myself 

  • in reply to Billy87
    Billy87 said:
    I also drank way to much to calm my nerves in social situations

    # me too.  T total now.

  • in reply to Deleted User
    Unknown said:
    # me too.  T total now.

    Me three. T total since 2017 

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