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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

  • For me it was a massive relief to be diagnosed, having a diagnosis gave me something to work with rather than flail around with, apparently this feeling is quite common with the late diagnosed, it makes sense of so many things.

    Remember you're the same person after a diagnosis as you were before, you have the same skills, talents and things you won't understand. Some people may look at you and tell you stupid things, like you don't look autistic, or they'll look at you waiting for the second head to sprout, but most will probably be OK and not bothered by it. It can show you who your real friends are, some will react negatively, but that says more about them than it ever will about you.

  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    Thanks for the input - I think where I am now it's been really helpful, more so than all those years ago as my unofficial diagnosis was made by three psycs who all agreed. Pretty cut and dried you'd think, though apparently it isn't until official! 

    Friend wise I'm not worried - I don't have too many and they know me pretty much... we don't really socialise often either so not much will change there. 

    Good advice though - I'm hoping in all of this I just learn more about myself and hopefully a bit more about how to handle things when the going gets rough, or better still how to get in earlier so it doesn't get too rough. 

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  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    Thanks for the input - I think where I am now it's been really helpful, more so than all those years ago as my unofficial diagnosis was made by three psycs who all agreed. Pretty cut and dried you'd think, though apparently it isn't until official! 

    Friend wise I'm not worried - I don't have too many and they know me pretty much... we don't really socialise often either so not much will change there. 

    Good advice though - I'm hoping in all of this I just learn more about myself and hopefully a bit more about how to handle things when the going gets rough, or better still how to get in earlier so it doesn't get too rough. 

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