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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

  • Thanks for your words.its good to be different.  I have never doubted my abilities when focused. It’s just been that others have often misonterpreted my intent, personality or read into things I haven’t said. I’m discovering  parts of my life I was wrongly signposted and deliberately or otherwise or obstructed by others I never let that bother me because all things find their true course. I am campaigning to have workplace laws changed. 

  • in reply to pietro_21

    That sounds like a very noble thing to push for - good! 

    I appreciate that true course thing too - I've done OK - seen and done more than I feel capable of now and regret nothing as it's bought me this far. Feeling OK can be a challenge but like you (by the sound of it) I've been down a few roads that weren't really in the right direction. 

    I'll get there... Acceptance will help if/when I can just convince myself...

  • in reply to Anotherandy

    I strongly feel that there are more subtle types of inequality and discrimination in the workplace. We in Britain are better than that. It also concerns me thinking back to when I was younger all the constant worries, knowing that there are young ASD people going through that now without full awareness or understanding, let alone the necessary support systems.

  • in reply to pietro_21

    I tend to agree there, and my hope is as the younger generation become the workforce things will improve - they'll have to since, in my experience, there is a lot more neurodiversity (purely from a percentage point of view) in today's kids. Someone will need to push for that though so keep doing what you're doing. 

    But yes, thinking of my own experience, even with a supportive boss nothing has changed in my role post informal diagnosis despite me obviously struggling at times. I feel it's very much if you can't do the job find another one (and please don't go off sick though if you need the afternoon let me know). 

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  • in reply to pietro_21

    I tend to agree there, and my hope is as the younger generation become the workforce things will improve - they'll have to since, in my experience, there is a lot more neurodiversity (purely from a percentage point of view) in today's kids. Someone will need to push for that though so keep doing what you're doing. 

    But yes, thinking of my own experience, even with a supportive boss nothing has changed in my role post informal diagnosis despite me obviously struggling at times. I feel it's very much if you can't do the job find another one (and please don't go off sick though if you need the afternoon let me know). 

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