Autistic 'lightbulb moments'

Since your diagnosis/self realisation, have you had times in your life when suddenly you realise why you did something in the past ie because of your autism.

There have been many for me, but recently the hair cutting thread made me realise why I hated hairdressers so much even though everyone else I knew seemed to look forward to going.

I was the only person in my 30s I knew to have a mobile hairdresser come to my house - it seemed to be older people or those with mobility problems who went for this service.

Have you had moments when everything clicks into place/another piece of the puzzle of your past?

Parents
  • Many, I suspect, but one that comes to mind is my relationship with noise and anxiety. I’ve always known that noise from neighbours, people eating, kids in the street etc upset me more than seemed reasonable but I just thought I was being over sensitive. Even the sound of electrical appliances, TVs, lights, other peoples’ wrist watches.

    But post-diagnosis, working with a therapist, I discovered that my body is very anxious most of the time but forgets to tell my brain. Fast forward a few weeks and I’m back in the office at work and I wear noise cancelling headphones for the first time.

    And I physically felt a weight drain out of my body. A weight I hadn’t even realised was there.

  • And I physically felt a weight drain out of my body. A weight I hadn’t even realised was there

    That resonates so much A.

    I have started after half a century of bus use, wearing earplugs.

    It makes such a difference but like you, the 'weight' wasn't apparent (just the anxiety).

    That is so well expressed.

    Us late diagnosed people have suffered so much.

  • I am now a massive fan of Loops. I always have them with me and wear them in supermarkets etc.

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