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How did you all feel when you were first diagnosed?

Autismman

I’ve been recently diagnosed and have been thinking about it non stop ever since. I’m a 37 year old male and only really came to the conclusion I was probably autistic after I suddenly felt I couldn’t pretend to cope any longer and got quite unwell. I don’t want to feel like some imposter but I can’t help but feel like I wish I ticked all the boxes more accurately. I’ve come across this imposter syndrome as it’s referred to a lot online and it makes sense but I can’t just accept that as it is and move on…it doesn’t bring me much comfort. I was diagnosed with ASD level 1 so perhaps this diagnosis affects my ability to see things clearly anyway or as they are meant to be seen? I don’t know. Just wondering how others felt after they were diagnosed? Was it a huge weight off of the shoulders or did it only raise more questions? Any similar experiences would be great to hear.

Parents

  • I felt greatly relieved that my conviction that I was autistic had been clinically validated. As for imposter syndrome, try to avoid comparing yourself to other autistic people, whose traits are bound to diverge from your own. Instead, compare your traits and history with the necessary diagnostic criteria in the manuals. This is how autism is assessed, not by comparing people to each other. 

    You will always find autistic people whose autism is more debilitating than your own. Don't go down that rabbit hole.

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  • I felt greatly relieved that my conviction that I was autistic had been clinically validated. As for imposter syndrome, try to avoid comparing yourself to other autistic people, whose traits are bound to diverge from your own. Instead, compare your traits and history with the necessary diagnostic criteria in the manuals. This is how autism is assessed, not by comparing people to each other. 

    You will always find autistic people whose autism is more debilitating than your own. Don't go down that rabbit hole.

Children
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