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Newly diagnosed & flailing

Martin

Hello. My name is Martin; i am 66yo and was diagnosed as autistic, with social anxiety disorder (such an ugly word, that) and dyspraxia, 3 months ago. So far, i've only had my counsellor to talk to about my diagnosis as neither my friends nor family seem to be interested in helping me to process what i believe to be the biggest discovery of my life. I'm struggling to absorb the news on my own, after a lifetime spent masking & trying to fit in (& failing), and there seems to be no help out in the 'real world' from organisations etc. I'd welcome any advice, pointers etc.

Parents

  • Hi Martin

    Sorry for the late reply - like many others I've had issues getting on to the forums recently. I just wanted to say congratulations on getting your diagnosis - although it can be tough getting to grips with a late diagnosis I certainly believe it's worth having and even when we find out rather late in life it can help answer so many questions. It was my daughter who "gently" pointed out that I might be autistic while she was on her own journey of discovery. I was a bit startled at first and thought it was a ridiculous notion to be 62 and not know something so fundamental about myself - but when I started to do my research my life experiences started to make sense

    18 months on and I'm still unpacking what it all means and you're right - there doesn't seem to be much help out there in the real world. For now I'm having to content myself with virtual communities like this one. 

    Inula

Reply

  • Hi Martin

    Sorry for the late reply - like many others I've had issues getting on to the forums recently. I just wanted to say congratulations on getting your diagnosis - although it can be tough getting to grips with a late diagnosis I certainly believe it's worth having and even when we find out rather late in life it can help answer so many questions. It was my daughter who "gently" pointed out that I might be autistic while she was on her own journey of discovery. I was a bit startled at first and thought it was a ridiculous notion to be 62 and not know something so fundamental about myself - but when I started to do my research my life experiences started to make sense

    18 months on and I'm still unpacking what it all means and you're right - there doesn't seem to be much help out there in the real world. For now I'm having to content myself with virtual communities like this one. 

    Inula

Children
  • in reply to Inula

    Hi Inula. You're so right: it is worth having, at any time. I'n glad of it, and more - i'm actually quite proud of my distinction. Not only can i begin to make sense of who i am, and forgive myself much more easily now for all those things - my errors of judgement, the choices i made, the ill-advised decisions - i've done in my past, i am beginning to own myself, and recognise that there are also advantages as well as disadvantages to being 'spicy', as i once heard someone say of themself. I am distinct from the crowd, i can read people and situations, and i do have an artistic mind because of, not in spite of my autism. I think, in a way, that once i've spoken to more people like me, and shared experiences with you all, it will be a 'homecoming', of sorts. I hope you continue to make new sense of your life, and rediscover who you are, as i am doing. I keep using the word, 'distinct': it's what i believe we are. Not disabled; not divergent: we have the distinction of being autistic.

    All the best to you.