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37 and diagnosed Autistic for Christmas

ChestersDad

Hi Guys, 

Newbie here. At the grand age of 37, I received my diagnosis last week. Was actually expecting an ADHD one and not Autism but the test they did was only for Autism (?) and that came back that I am, so now I'm waiting for the ADHD one to take place.

I've bought a journal and started writing things down. Remembering stuff from the past that has really affected me but I've put on a brave face. I'm learning a lot online (any good YT channels or Podcast, please let me know!). But seriously how hard is it to know what is the real you and what is stuff you've been masking?! 

Feeling a little lost TBH, figured this was a good place to come and say hi! 

Cheers

Jimmy

Parents

  • Hi Jimmy! Congratulations on your diagnosis and welcome to the community!

    The NAS has a great set of articles focused on "after diagnosis", including one covering how you might feel during the subsequent days / weeks / months. You might find them of interest and/or helpful, including:

    NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis

    NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis including:

    • Talking about and disclosing your autism diagnosis
    • Emotional support for family members after a diagnosis
    • Formal support following an autism diagnosis
    • What can I do if formal support is not offered or is not enough

    In terms of what to do next, my advice at this point (ie 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 full of ready-made solutions for my various difficulties. 

    I began my own journey with this book:

    Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask! 

    Therapy is often recommended after a diagnosis - perhaps alongside other recommendations in your assessment report for your GP to follow up on. You might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes 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

    Just a final admin-related note: per the rules, we're not allowed to disclose our identities here, so it would be best to change your forum profile name to something that's anonymous (before the moderators inevitably ask you to do so). Slight smile

    Welcome again!

  • in reply to Bunny

    Thanks so much for the information and the heads up on the user name too! I shall change it now :) 

  • in reply to ChestersDad

    You're most welcome! I'm so sorry that my reply took so long to appear.

    It was stuck in moderation quarantine until today. Rage 

  • in reply to Bunny

    Ah no need to apologise! Hopefully it wasn't in relation to your username hey Rofl 

    Thank you again

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