Just diagnosed. What do I do now

Congratulations on your diagnosis and welcome to the community!

There are plenty of late-diagnosed and late-realised autistic people here of a similar age, so you're in good company!

As for many others, my diagnosis turned out to be the start of a new journey of learning and adapting, rather than a conclusion with instant solutions. I'd suggest taking extra care to be patient to, and kind with, yourself - and to take your time with processing everything.

The NAS has a great set of articles focused on "after diagnosis", including one covering how you might feel during the subsequent days / weeks / months, and others covering the kinds of support that you can access. You might find them helpful as a starting point:

NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis - includes perspectives from other autistic people

NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis - including:

• Talking about and disclosing your autism diagnosis
• Formal support following an autism diagnosis
• What can I do if formal support is not offered or is not enough

Therapy or counselling are often recommended after a diagnosis, as a follow up action for your GP to arrange. If you prefer, depending on where you are in the UK, you might instead be able to self refer for talking therapy on the NHS. 

Before arranging anything you might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book, which includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful:

The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

In respect of support and addressing any issues at work, there's plenty of great advice here:

NAS - Employment

Finally, I'll just mention a couple of books that I and others have found helpful early on in our post-diagnosis journeys:

Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask!

How to Be Autistic (free download currently available via this page)

        Many thanks for all the useful information.  I too have been a bit in limbo since my diagnosis, not that I wasn't given a lot of valuable help, contacts and information by my assessors. 

        I have spent seven decades fending for myself and my unidentifiable problems, regular burn outs and being quite 'obstinate'; the latter just my unknown autism leaking out. 

        When was I first told of my assessment and that I was high-functioning autistic, not just in sufficient areas but all areas, I replied to one of my assessors something like “WOW! – my shadow has at last caught up with me.” I note that today the border between Spain and Gibraltar has been removed thus  allowing freedom of movement between them. In many ways my diagnosis was like this too.  I now have freedom of movement into an unknown area of me.

        Obviously, the diagnosis has been a revelationary window on my past. This cannot be changed but at least can be understood in a very different light. Presently, I have no idea whether I want to do anything or nothing with “the assessment”. It may help with quite a few medical problems that I have to deal with on a daily basis. On the other hand it is likely that medics may not be very responsive.

        I usually avoid joining social groups of any sort. However, I  feel so very fortunate to have found this website. Having a valid voice feels  very important and comforting.   

Oscar

        Many thanks for all the useful information.  I too have been a bit in limbo since my diagnosis, not that I wasn't given a lot of valuable help, contacts and information by my assessors. 

        I have spent seven decades fending for myself and my unidentifiable problems, regular burn outs and being quite 'obstinate'; the latter just my unknown autism leaking out. 

        When was I first told of my assessment and that I was high-functioning autistic, not just in sufficient areas but all areas, I replied to one of my assessors something like “WOW! – my shadow has at last caught up with me.” I note that today the border between Spain and Gibraltar has been removed thus  allowing freedom of movement between them. In many ways my diagnosis was like this too.  I now have freedom of movement into an unknown area of me.

        Obviously, the diagnosis has been a revelationary window on my past. This cannot be changed but at least can be understood in a very different light. Presently, I have no idea whether I want to do anything or nothing with “the assessment”. It may help with quite a few medical problems that I have to deal with on a daily basis. On the other hand it is likely that medics may not be very responsive.

        I usually avoid joining social groups of any sort. However, I  feel so very fortunate to have found this website. Having a valid voice feels  very important and comforting.   

Oscar