Newly diagnosed with Asperger’s

I’m feeling a little bit overwhelmed right now just been diagnosed with Asperger’s and it’s all very scary and new to me as I’m 42 I also don’t know how to feel I just feel shocked but glad I’m now going to get the right support but I feel I need time to process this 

Parents
  • I’ve also just been diagnosed and I am 47, I do already have sunflower lanyards.  I think my main concern now is how much do I need to share and to whom. Like disabled people are very open to abuse but also we sometimes do need to approach strangers to get help. 

    What came out of my assessment for me is that I’m a poor judge of character,  so I want to know which organisations are autism friendly so I can go and enjoy myself. 

Reply
  • I’ve also just been diagnosed and I am 47, I do already have sunflower lanyards.  I think my main concern now is how much do I need to share and to whom. Like disabled people are very open to abuse but also we sometimes do need to approach strangers to get help. 

    What came out of my assessment for me is that I’m a poor judge of character,  so I want to know which organisations are autism friendly so I can go and enjoy myself. 

Children
  • I'm not entirely sure you mean by "which organisations are autism friendly" but you don't NEED to tell anyone. You can choose who you want to tell. This varies from person to person. Some people are very open, others are much more "need to know." I've told close family and some friends, but the response from friends was mixed -- nothing negative, but some "I don't know what to say, why are you telling me this?"-type responses, so I haven't told all my friends.

    I don't know if you're working, but it can be useful to tell employers if you need workplace adjustments. Autism counts as a protected disability, so employers have to give reasonable adjustments. Unfortunately, experience has told me that telling potential employers is not a good move. This is difficult, as I need adjustments in interviews.

  • Also is there an app or something for National Autistic Society?  I just would find it easier to have an automatic login through a picture icon in my phone.