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Recently diagnosed - struggling

illustrated.lady

Hello!

I'm new here, I was diagnosed with 'high functioning autism' about 5 weeks ago, I just got my diagnostic report on Sunday.

I'm a 32 year old woman and never felt like I fit in, like I didn't connect with people and being around people drained me, sure, I can mask and say the right things and smile but it's all an act. I've always had issues in jobs and have had attendance issues and sick leave for stress in every job I've had. I've been on anti-depressants for ten years.

The diagnosis makes so much sense and I hope it will eventually allow me to be easier on myself and not so harsh on myself for struggling with things. I do feel like I'm struggling to come to terms with the diagnosis, it's a relief in some ways that there's a reason for my behaviors but it's also like....I don't know how to manage. I don't know how to get out of this cycle of stress and overwhelm and as I'm sure we're all aware, there's no support for autistic adults.

If you've read all of this then I sincerely thank you. I feel quite alone. 

Parents

  • Hello! 33 here, diagnosed at 30 with Autism.

    One thing that has helped me in the past couple months is having a job that is “autism-friendly.” When I worked at my previous jobs I masked really hard to try and seem professional and “normal,” but now I have a job where I feel comfortable disclosing my diagnosis without fearing there being a stigma against me. That has reduced a lot of stress for me. I can tell a client that I want to have our meeting in another room because of a bright light or loud noise without feeling like a burden.

    As to HOW to find a job that is autism-friendly? I’m still figuring that out. I kind of cheated by choosing an occupation where I work directly with disabled adults. Maybe in interviews it might help to disclose your Autism to test the waters and see how the interviewers react? I know disclosing your diagnosis with employers can be daunting and there are mixed opinions in the community about that, but in my experience it has helped.

    Hopefully that helps and I wish you the best!

Reply

  • Hello! 33 here, diagnosed at 30 with Autism.

    One thing that has helped me in the past couple months is having a job that is “autism-friendly.” When I worked at my previous jobs I masked really hard to try and seem professional and “normal,” but now I have a job where I feel comfortable disclosing my diagnosis without fearing there being a stigma against me. That has reduced a lot of stress for me. I can tell a client that I want to have our meeting in another room because of a bright light or loud noise without feeling like a burden.

    As to HOW to find a job that is autism-friendly? I’m still figuring that out. I kind of cheated by choosing an occupation where I work directly with disabled adults. Maybe in interviews it might help to disclose your Autism to test the waters and see how the interviewers react? I know disclosing your diagnosis with employers can be daunting and there are mixed opinions in the community about that, but in my experience it has helped.

    Hopefully that helps and I wish you the best!

Children
  • in reply to profdanger

    I have been masking a lot, I'm more comfortable with my colleagues I share an office with but with everyone else I want as little communication as possible because I can't be myself. 

    I would love to find an autism friendly job but I don't even know where to start. I used to care for elderly people which I adored but couldn't cope with the awful people I worked with sadly.