Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all,
Over the past 18 months or so, my wife and myself have come to the conclusion that I could well be on the Autistic spectrum. My wife had a slight suspicion prior, but after I had a heart attack last year, it became more apparent, probably due to me being far too tired to keep masking as I was recovering.
We analysed my meltdowns / shutdowns (as we guess they are now and not just me going off on one), triggers, my aversion to noises (I can hear the hum of lights, fridge, electrical equipment etc. and always thought it was strange that I couldn't filter it out), dislike of bright lights (including sitting in the sun for any length of time) amongst quite a few other things and me being a thoroughly anti-social git (a lot of meltdowns always happened prior to going out to a social function, holiday with friends etc).
This analysis led us to the conclusion and has helped up change things lifestyle wise and house wise to help me.
I've also been told by a Psychologist that it does sound like I am, but they don't have the qualification / ability to diagnose me and the NHS authority don't deal with adult diagnosis, so it looks like a private route would be needed.
Although I'm only at the start of trying to determine whether I should get an official / medical diagnosis, I'm just wondering if people my age (nearing mid 50's) do ever get diagnosed and what, if any, advantages does the diagnosis have, aside from peace of mind and an understanding of why I am like I am?
Thanks.
Thanks for all the replies - sorry about not replying sooner.
I'm terrible with things like communication - I'll avoid replying for a little while and then get worried that I'll have to reply to everyone and that makes it even harder to start a reply.
It's good to know, though, that people are getting diagnosed a lot later in life and that some people aren't going for a diagnosis at all and just knowing is enough.
I'm still undecided about going for a diagnosis as it'll have to be private and although I apparently have private healthcare at work, they don't cover assessment such as this, which is a great help. Work are aware that I do have issues, but I'm reluctant at the minute to tell them what is suspected as it's not 'official'.
I'm going to have to dedicate some time to looking through the forums and the NAS website (I was given the link by the Psychologist) and see if I can start to learn as much as I can.
Unfortunately, I do have a load of questions, like is my head supposed to have so much in it at any one time and am I the only one who can hear that little rattling noise every time I press a key on my laptop. One thing that I'm trying to figure out is that flashing lights don't make a noise for everyone - I always though they made a noise in everyones head like mine!
Thanks!