Not sure how to move forward post diagnosis.

Hey, I'm 18 and only found out about my autism diagnosis at age 16. It having been diagnosed when I was 10, but my parents withheld it from me. I also experienced anger and frustration surrounding what if I had known about my diagnosis too. In my country, education is seen as critical, and having not put in the necessary precautions (for my autism), I was extremely annoyed and felt like I didn't perform to the best of my ability for university entry. I was diagnosed with mental health conditions at the time, too, the assessors not knowing about my autism. With this, my past mental health problems were compounded by the anger from my lack of knowledge of my diagnosis, which led to spiralling.

Firstly, I would say you should not blame anyone for not having realised it earlier because the older you are, the more difficult it is to diagnose autism due to symptoms being less obvious. Furthermore, I think remembering that many other people (like me) have experienced a similar thing as you brings some grounding. Moreover, taking into account numerous people currently and in the past who lived with autism throughout their whole life but never had been diagnosed at all (whilst still suffering improperly addressed difficulties from it), should bring a wave of thankfulness towards your diagnosis at 41.

Furthermore, I think remembering that in reality you do not have a time machine and so you cannot change your current situation is essential. Consequently, the best way to move is forward and to self-research your symptoms, recognise them, and learn ways to adapt to them. I remember as soon as I had cooled down after the period of anger towards my late being told of my diagnosis, I researched and highlighted the symptoms of my diagnosis in me, and looked up methods to help adapt to them.

Whilst autism is not only a sensory matter, but also a mental matter, I found mindfulness essential. Not necessarily meditating like a monk, but rather day to day being more aware of my emotions and regulating myself was essential. People with autism have a higher chance of alexithymia - difficulties recognising emotions, so I made sure from time to time when I could, to realise that maybe I am extra sensitive to this matter due to my autism so I needed to take a step back, orr that I feel a certain way towards a thing and so I need to act accordingly to how I feel for me - not necessarily with the same actions as others would do.

I think also remembering that life is a gift is essential, so regardless of circumstance, one should try to make the most of their living and do the things they most enjoy. Whilst it may be difficult right now, good eventually comes, as it has with struggles experienced by everyone beforehand.

Hey, I'm 18 and only found out about my autism diagnosis at age 16. It having been diagnosed when I was 10, but my parents withheld it from me. I also experienced anger and frustration surrounding what if I had known about my diagnosis too. In my country, education is seen as critical, and having not put in the necessary precautions (for my autism), I was extremely annoyed and felt like I didn't perform to the best of my ability for university entry. I was diagnosed with mental health conditions at the time, too, the assessors not knowing about my autism. With this, my past mental health problems were compounded by the anger from my lack of knowledge of my diagnosis, which led to spiralling.

Firstly, I would say you should not blame anyone for not having realised it earlier because the older you are, the more difficult it is to diagnose autism due to symptoms being less obvious. Furthermore, I think remembering that many other people (like me) have experienced a similar thing as you brings some grounding. Moreover, taking into account numerous people currently and in the past who lived with autism throughout their whole life but never had been diagnosed at all (whilst still suffering improperly addressed difficulties from it), should bring a wave of thankfulness towards your diagnosis at 41.

Furthermore, I think remembering that in reality you do not have a time machine and so you cannot change your current situation is essential. Consequently, the best way to move is forward and to self-research your symptoms, recognise them, and learn ways to adapt to them. I remember as soon as I had cooled down after the period of anger towards my late being told of my diagnosis, I researched and highlighted the symptoms of my diagnosis in me, and looked up methods to help adapt to them.

Whilst autism is not only a sensory matter, but also a mental matter, I found mindfulness essential. Not necessarily meditating like a monk, but rather day to day being more aware of my emotions and regulating myself was essential. People with autism have a higher chance of alexithymia - difficulties recognising emotions, so I made sure from time to time when I could, to realise that maybe I am extra sensitive to this matter due to my autism so I needed to take a step back, orr that I feel a certain way towards a thing and so I need to act accordingly to how I feel for me - not necessarily with the same actions as others would do.

I think also remembering that life is a gift is essential, so regardless of circumstance, one should try to make the most of their living and do the things they most enjoy. Whilst it may be difficult right now, good eventually comes, as it has with struggles experienced by everyone beforehand.

Thank you for sharing. It must have been hard to hear at 16 that others knew for so long before you. Sorry that happened to you. I'm so glad you know now and are able to live your adult life from a place of knowing and understanding yourself. Take care.