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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

  • hi anotherandy,

    I'd like to be able to tell you that the autism assessment will resolve all this but whilst its helpful, realistically it might not immediately help. Like you, I had a lot of mental health issues misdiagnosed first, so the asd diagnosis has helped start the process of unravelling that. I'm actually finding that the most useful thing is finding out how other Autistics handle things that ive always struggled with and trying them out. It's much more confirming when those things work for me than the diagnosis itself was.

  • in reply to Monkeyclogs

    That's interesting, thanks - I suppose part of the reason I'm here and asking stuff is that I'm hoping to find (more - I've already gained a lot just lurking) things that may help and/or resonate. 

    I've made a lot of changes to my life over the years, some more helpful than others but ultimately seem to always end up at the same point, which I'm guessing is burnout related. But yes, unraveling - it's been useful to get a better understanding about what and why, and just getting told I should consider myself as autistic by a psyc. was a positive step forwards (it was an I can't officially diagnose but you're nailed on sort of thing).  

    On another note I really should consider my job, since while rewarding at times it's definitely not particularly ASD friendly and is pretty front facing communication wise and stressful, which doesn't help.  

    Anyhow, appreciate the input, thanks. 

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  • in reply to Monkeyclogs

    That's interesting, thanks - I suppose part of the reason I'm here and asking stuff is that I'm hoping to find (more - I've already gained a lot just lurking) things that may help and/or resonate. 

    I've made a lot of changes to my life over the years, some more helpful than others but ultimately seem to always end up at the same point, which I'm guessing is burnout related. But yes, unraveling - it's been useful to get a better understanding about what and why, and just getting told I should consider myself as autistic by a psyc. was a positive step forwards (it was an I can't officially diagnose but you're nailed on sort of thing).  

    On another note I really should consider my job, since while rewarding at times it's definitely not particularly ASD friendly and is pretty front facing communication wise and stressful, which doesn't help.  

    Anyhow, appreciate the input, thanks. 

Children
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