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Diagnosed...now what?

ChArms
3 hours ago

I received my diagnosis for Autism this morning aged 33. Am told it will be 6-8 weeks before I get my full report, which will enable me to access support. 

Conscious I have a LOT of unmasking to come, as well as the task of 'coming out' to some family and friends. 

I'm interested to hear what immediate steps people took when processing their diagnosis. Did you find a therapist right away, did you wait? Same questions for telling friends and family. 

Parents
  • 2 hours ago

    Hi - congratulations on your diagnosis and welcome to the community!

    Hopefully you're already feeling some benefit from your diagnosis (eg relief). However, be aware that it can also be common for us - especially as late-diagnosed adults - to experience emotional dysregulation. So please don't worry if you also experience that - it's normal and can include working through a phase where we experience (backward-focused) anger, frustration, grieving and more.

    The NAS has a great set of articles focused around diagnosis, including one covering how you might feel during the subsequent days / weeks / months - you might find them of interest and/or helpful:

    NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis

    NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis (including telling others about it)

    In terms of what to do next, my advice at this point (ie so soon after your diagnosis two days ago) would be to try and give yourself some time and breathing space to process and absorb everything that you've been through, and let your feelings settle down. Keep in mind that your report may, in due course, include suggested next steps for you.

    For me, as for many others here, my diagnosis turned out to be much more of the start of a new journey, rather than a solution-rich conclusion.

    Therapy is often recommended after a diagnosis. In preparation, you might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful, myself included:
    The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy
Reply
  • 2 hours ago

    Hi - congratulations on your diagnosis and welcome to the community!

    Hopefully you're already feeling some benefit from your diagnosis (eg relief). However, be aware that it can also be common for us - especially as late-diagnosed adults - to experience emotional dysregulation. So please don't worry if you also experience that - it's normal and can include working through a phase where we experience (backward-focused) anger, frustration, grieving and more.

    The NAS has a great set of articles focused around diagnosis, including one covering how you might feel during the subsequent days / weeks / months - you might find them of interest and/or helpful:

    NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis

    NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis (including telling others about it)

    In terms of what to do next, my advice at this point (ie so soon after your diagnosis two days ago) would be to try and give yourself some time and breathing space to process and absorb everything that you've been through, and let your feelings settle down. Keep in mind that your report may, in due course, include suggested next steps for you.

    For me, as for many others here, my diagnosis turned out to be much more of the start of a new journey, rather than a solution-rich conclusion.

    Therapy is often recommended after a diagnosis. In preparation, you might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful, myself included:
    The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy
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