Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone!
I got my diagnosis a few weeks ago, and while it wasn't unexpected I am now struggling to come to terms with the 'label'.
I've been told I probably had autism since I was like 17/18, and it's taken years to finally get the assessment. During that time, I sort of disregarded possibly being autistic and tried to continue my usual life. When I got my diagnosis, everyone kept telling me that 'nothing will change' and 'I'm the same person I always have been'. However any relief I felt when I first got the diagnosis has now turned into loneliness and helplessness.
I am just hoping someone can provide some insight into their own experience with handling their diagnosis and hopefully tell me that I won't always feel this lonely and hopeless.
Thank you very much everyone! οΈ
If they were being honest you have been autistic since birth. Autism is not something you have (as if you could catch it or aquire it, which you can't) it's something you are from day one, it's only at different stages of social development that it becomes outwardly noticeable.
NAS90140 said: 'nothing will change' and 'I'm the same person I always have been'
That's actually true. What can change, and seems to have, is the way you feel about yourself. But you need not let it set you apart or make you feel less than anyone else.I was assessed as a kid so I've had a long time to grow comfy in my own skin, it doesn't matter if non-autistic people are ignorant and only see defecits, their underestimating us is their error not ours, I know I'm different not less, we autists have our own culture https://autismuk.com/the-culture-of-autism/ and community, and our own celebrites https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/29512/famous-autistic-people---lionel-messi/ . I'm proud to be autistic.