Fresh Diagnosis

Hi and welcome.
Yes this is something I can relate to. I was diagnosed a few years ago in my teens, and I'm twenty one now and I am still processing it now. Some days it feels easier and it makes sense, other days I have imposter syndrome, feeling there's been a mistake.

With autism and being diagnosed there's no right or wrong way to feel afterwards and there's no rush either.
It takes time and you shouldn't feel bad about yourself.

I hope you will feel at home here. I've only just joined and already feel like I belong.

(Amarantin.... I couldn't have put that better!)

My advice to the opening poster is to take your time, read up on autism, and don't disclose until you feel good and ready.

This was my first read, and it helped a lot. It's written by a young American guy who was diagnosed, I think, at about your age.

Ben

Hi, I was diagnosed last summer at the age of 52 and I'm still processing it tbh. A lot of people on here have had a similar journey - grief for our past life, imposter syndrome thinking maybe the diagnosis isn't right, trying to figure out who to tell and reacting to their reactions, trying to figure out if we can unmask and what changes we can make to our life or job to make things easier.

As I said, it's a journey that most of us are still on.

Welcome to the forum!

Hi NAS91982,

You might want to have a look at some of the advice pages here on the NAS site if you're looking for support or information following your diagnosis. I would recommend you have a look at the pages on post-diagnosis support for autistic adults - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/post-diagnosis-support/autistic-adults - as well as disclosing your autism - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/disclosing-your-autism/autistic-adults - and employment/getting support at work - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/employment/support-at-work/autistic-adults

Hope this is of some help,
Ross - mod