• Replies 4 replies
  • Subscribers 85 subscribers
  • Views 253 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

The outsider looking in

imekon

I recently got my autistic diagnosis. What I suspected for the last few years is true; I'm autistic.

It has brought a feeling that I'm broken. My partner tells me I'm not broken, just different.

Yet I still feel broken.

I've been standing outside, peering in through the window, unable to join in and wondering why. I went through some of this before. When I was 18, I realised I'm gay. The "moon fell" for me that day and I've been down ever since. I did go out and meet other gay men and finally met my current partner of over twenty years.

I'm in my mid 60's and feel I should have been told this decades ago, except science hadn't caught up with reality back then.

It feels hard to adjust to.

All those times I've struggled to fit in with social situations, now I know why. I did learn a little from my first boyfriend who seemed to be able to chat up anyone. Yet, I never could read the hidden cues that the majority understand and I don't.

Argh.

I'll work through this. It might take me a while. I've worked through heavy stuff before.

Parents

  • Hi imekon, 

    I am 70+ and recently diagnosed autistic.  From what I have read, your post-assessment feelings seem to be quite common and quite natural. Even if they are uncomfortable.

    The recommendation post-diagnosis approach, appears to be: take your time and be kind to yourself. After all, I wasn't to know and you weren't to know that we were autistic. It took me 70+ years to find out and I am so glad I did. 

    My assessment was a revelation it was a single solution to why I had experienced such an disjointed life. Personally, I feel so relieved at having one answer to it all. Also, losing the “guilt” I have always felt about needing to be independent and have time to myself and not being able to be “take” to other people.  

    For me my assessment is like the opening of a safe where the other part of me has been for 70+ years. It bound to take some time assimilate.

    Best Wishes,
    Oscar

Reply

  • Hi imekon, 

    I am 70+ and recently diagnosed autistic.  From what I have read, your post-assessment feelings seem to be quite common and quite natural. Even if they are uncomfortable.

    The recommendation post-diagnosis approach, appears to be: take your time and be kind to yourself. After all, I wasn't to know and you weren't to know that we were autistic. It took me 70+ years to find out and I am so glad I did. 

    My assessment was a revelation it was a single solution to why I had experienced such an disjointed life. Personally, I feel so relieved at having one answer to it all. Also, losing the “guilt” I have always felt about needing to be independent and have time to myself and not being able to be “take” to other people.  

    For me my assessment is like the opening of a safe where the other part of me has been for 70+ years. It bound to take some time assimilate.

    Best Wishes,
    Oscar

Children
No Data