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Acceptance?

Anotherandy

Since I've finally managed to write a post here I may as well go all in and ask the question that's been the monkey on my back for a long time now; how did you move towards acceptance of your autism? 

Long story short is I know a fair bit about ASD, recognise many traits in myself, accept that I probably am autistic (have told family and friends I'm awaiting formal diagnosis) but honestly don't feel that I am until I get the official badge from said formal diagnosis. (I imagine this to be quite common among autistics - it's quite an autistic thought process in itself?)

So yeah, I'm awaiting a late diagnosis (late 40's) which in reality given it was picked up in relation to a mental health issue (that I now realise was probably a second major burnout episode) 15 or so years ago shouldn't have been quite so late...

I've always known I was different, always felt outside, spent years fearing I was various degrees of plain old crazy while just about managing a job, life, family etc. 

For those of you with similar tales how did you get that doubt out of your mind? Did it actually go with the diagnosis - did that make acceptance easier? And yeah, I guess what do I do towards accepting myself for what's pretty much odds on - that I am autistic. Perhaps posting here is the first (or another) step? Help?!

Parents

  • Good morning from America Anotherandy!

    For me, personally, yes, getting the diagnosis helped with that issue. The biggest reason is because my wife was not accepting of it until I got my diagnosis, so that fed my self-doubt.

    However, there are plenty of people on here that are not officially diagnosed, but rather self-diagnosed. If you believe that you have Autism, then chances are that you do.

    One big advice I have for you accepting yourself is consider therapy! It’s not for everyone, but it is very helpful for post diagnosis in particular. Just make sure you get yourself an Autism friendly therapist. I once had an Autism specialized art therapist and it was fantastic (though she was used to younger clients, she was willing to learn more about adult Autism along with me).

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  • Good morning from America Anotherandy!

    For me, personally, yes, getting the diagnosis helped with that issue. The biggest reason is because my wife was not accepting of it until I got my diagnosis, so that fed my self-doubt.

    However, there are plenty of people on here that are not officially diagnosed, but rather self-diagnosed. If you believe that you have Autism, then chances are that you do.

    One big advice I have for you accepting yourself is consider therapy! It’s not for everyone, but it is very helpful for post diagnosis in particular. Just make sure you get yourself an Autism friendly therapist. I once had an Autism specialized art therapist and it was fantastic (though she was used to younger clients, she was willing to learn more about adult Autism along with me).

Children
  • in reply to profdanger

    Thanks for that - I've toyed with doing some talk stuff post diagnosis and potentially pre, though finding things relatively close by has proven difficult. That said, if I pushed myself there's at least one within an hour or so of me. 

    Partner wise mine is very much on board in that it was not a surprise to her. She's a little frustrated occasionally that I seem to be becoming more so more recently, but not in a negative way - she's very supportive. It all ties in with how my mental health is, which is very much linked to my probable ASD.