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Newly Diagnosed, now what?

Lea1186

I am a 33yr old woman and have just received a level 1 autism diagnosis. It has shook me a bit more than I thought as although I was confident I had autism the emotional response I had to the confirmation was unexpected.

Now what do I do? I don't know what I'm supposed to do now or how to view my life. I don't really have friends and no parents to talk to. I don't want to unload too much on my husband and just want advice as to what I should do now. 

How much of what I think is me is truly me? And how much os the fake me I put on for the world and how do I distinguish the two? I just need some advice from others who have been diagnosed late in life and how you handled it and figured out who you were.

Thank you

Parents

  • Why do you have to do anything? You are the same person you were before you received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). You have not changed. Now you have an explanation as to why you do/say/feel certain things/ways. People react to an  diagnosis in a variety of ways, and there's no "correct" way to feel. Some people may feel relieved to find a reason for their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They may also feel a sense of relief in knowing they're not alone in finding certain things difficult; Others may feel shocked or disbelieving at first. Some may need time to come to terms with the diagnosis or find it difficult to adjust. Some experience a range of emotions, including both positive and negative, or even conflicting emotions at the same time. Hopefully the idea of neurodiversity (i.e., the idea that there's natural variation in how people's brains work) will help you adjust to your diagnosis and if you don't already start viewing ASD positively. I was older than you when I was diagnosed (years ago) and I still spend a lot of time learning about ASD, especially reading books written by women with ASD. Reading has helped me understand who I am, about my own strengths and challenges. I know that having ASD is only a portion of who I am! I also had no support and for a long time was not comfortable disclosing to others that I have a ASD. I now say I am neurodivergent and sometimes "I'm on the spectrum."

Reply

  • Why do you have to do anything? You are the same person you were before you received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). You have not changed. Now you have an explanation as to why you do/say/feel certain things/ways. People react to an  diagnosis in a variety of ways, and there's no "correct" way to feel. Some people may feel relieved to find a reason for their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They may also feel a sense of relief in knowing they're not alone in finding certain things difficult; Others may feel shocked or disbelieving at first. Some may need time to come to terms with the diagnosis or find it difficult to adjust. Some experience a range of emotions, including both positive and negative, or even conflicting emotions at the same time. Hopefully the idea of neurodiversity (i.e., the idea that there's natural variation in how people's brains work) will help you adjust to your diagnosis and if you don't already start viewing ASD positively. I was older than you when I was diagnosed (years ago) and I still spend a lot of time learning about ASD, especially reading books written by women with ASD. Reading has helped me understand who I am, about my own strengths and challenges. I know that having ASD is only a portion of who I am! I also had no support and for a long time was not comfortable disclosing to others that I have a ASD. I now say I am neurodivergent and sometimes "I'm on the spectrum."

Children
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