Late diagnosis and 'The Label'

At 55 and menopausal, I've just received my autism diagnosis. I'm also likely have ADHD but am not yet diagnosed. So far, my husband and brother are the only ones that know - my husband because he lives with me and all my moods, and my brother because he once wondered if he was autistic too. 

I am in the process of informing myself about this. However, first and foremost, I am struggling with the label 'autistic'. I've always had a trouble with labels (from 'loser' in my school years to 'she's an odd one' later on). Thankfully, my parents avoided the 'she's the clever/odd/pretty one' sort of categorization I've heard others use, so I've been free to define myself. They've just accepted me for who I am.

However, it now feels like I've got a big fat label stuck to my forehead. It oversimplifies the complex creature I feel myself to be - good, bad and indifferent combined. I don't want to be dealt with through this prism of understanding, the 'She's autistic, so that explains why she's overemotional/analytical/socially awkward/reserved/overly blunt' sort of thinking.

I now realize that I am suffering from autism burnout, but don't want to use that as an excuse for the meltdowns I've had. I don't want to have to explain who I am, which is just as exhausting as pretending I'm okay. Oversharing has consequences, I have found. 

Your thoughts would be most welcome. 

Parents
  • I'm your age and was only diagnosed several months ago. I am embracing "I am autistic" which is identity first language. It's worth reading about. I'm not knocking people who prefer to say I have autism. I'm just really saying that I have jumped in rather than dipped my toe and am seeing that phrase as a positive statement.

Reply
  • I'm your age and was only diagnosed several months ago. I am embracing "I am autistic" which is identity first language. It's worth reading about. I'm not knocking people who prefer to say I have autism. I'm just really saying that I have jumped in rather than dipped my toe and am seeing that phrase as a positive statement.

Children
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