New diagnosis

Hi Lingy, 

I'm 50 as well, and found out I was autistic when I was 49. 

I hope the diagnosis starts to explain why you have struggled and also minimise future struggles. I reeled around for quite a while before things started to settle down and make sense, so make sure you're kind and look after yourself like a friend who's had a big surprise. There's plenty of time to process everything. 

Thank you. I wish you well also.

I found parts of the assessment very strange. I had to look at pictures of frogs on lily pads flying . I am relieved because over the years I've been told I' have Bi polar/recurring depressive disorder/Eupd/cptsd/Ocd.

I have had severe problems with food most of my life. 

I will take a look thank you!

I've always felt different. I was aware from a very young age too. Thanks for your words mean so much!

Hi, thank you  

Hi and welcome to the forum 

Hi and welcome to the 'Latelings' club.

It is understandable to feel that way.

Be kind to yourself as you are not broken but just different. It will take time to fully process what it means to be autistic at our age. I am a year on and still find new things about myself.

Congratulations on your autism diagnosis and welcome to the community!

Whilst it must feel like a huge relief to have finally reached this point, don't be alarmed if you also experience some negative emotions. During the period following a diagnosis it can also be common for us - especially as late-diagnosed adults - to experience emotional dysregulation. So please don't worry, this is normal! This 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

In terms of what to do next, my advice at this point (ie so soon after your diagnosis) 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.

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 conclusion complete with ready-made solutions for my various ASD-related difficulties.

Therapy is often also recommended after a diagnosis. You might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book. It features 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

Yeah I've gone through the grieving, anger, disbelief phase even though not yet diagnosed.

I'm hoping to get results by the end of this week after an extra interview with the clinical director last week, think this is because I've had M.E. (cfs) since 2014 which I think has either amplified my ASD/ADHD or just made me more aware of it since being mainly housebound since 2018 with just visits to family, petrol stations and the post office!

I had one face to face interview, which I was late for (ADHD?), interview was about an hour and despite being a little nervous at the start, went really well, the assessor was very patient and reassuring.

The second assessment was done online using a specific web portal link, yes I was late for that one aswell, although this time it wasn't entirely my fault as the link used did not recognise my headset microphone so the assessor could see me but could not hear me.

After some panicking on both our parts (I thought it might actually be part of the assessment process to see how I dealt with a stressful situation!), we managed to link up using Microsoft Teams where everything worked as it should, again about an hour in length.

The extra interview had the same isuue and it was with the big boss! We ended up just doing a telephone interview for 20 minutes. He suggested that I have traits of ADHD, it's nigh impossible to get an ADHD assessment currently via Right to Choose due to the volume of people applying/waiting, etc.

He told me they will be evaluating all the asssessments including forms and relative summary form (little sister), between the two assessors and the Clinical Director (big boss).

Wishing you well in your self discovery journey.

Hi, I'm 53 and currently waiting for my final report. I've certainly had my struggles and to be honest and I found the suggestion of me being autistic as something of a relief , it explained so much but certainly set me on a journey of self exploration.

Welcome 

Thank you. I just kinda feel grief for that little girl who was so constantly traumatised through all sorts of issues, school was a massive problem for me. Hope you get your results soon. How did you find the assessment?

Hi Lingy666,

I'm 51 and awaiting ASD assessment results this week, also told last week that I may also have ADHD, although my assessment is for the purpose of ASD.

You should find a lot of useful tips and threads of people in the same situation as you as a late diagnosis.