Diagnosed yesterday

 Hi Jess

I know how you must feel.  I remember when I was in my teenage years (a very long time ago to you it must seem - I'm 62) and all the usual problems that occur then.  And although I was not diagnosed until just before Christmas, I must have had ASD although it was not recognised at that time.

Boys can be obnoxious at that age, as I know from having been one. Like you, I didn't like the thought of people laughing at me, which made me appear very shy. I was always treated like some oddity and although I performed well at school I felt at times that I was being punished unnecessarily and bullied by some of the other kids.

You have the knowledge now though, which you can use to explain your behaviour.  Those who make unkind remarks, you would not want them as your friends, they are the losers in this not you.  You will find that many more people will be supportive of you and want to help you should you need it - the sort of people who recognise the difference between interference with your life and help. In a way it should make your choice of friends a bit easier, as you can dismiss straight away anyone who purposely makes unkind remarks. The world is large enough to accommodate people in all their diversities, and you will find others who like you for what you are, and wouldn't want you any other way.

You needn't tell people about your autism.  Teachers, yes, but fellow students, they don't need to know unless you can trust them, and I think you will already know who you can trust.  Telling people you trust can be of great help to you as they will support you and stand by you whatever problems you have.

Regarding the car registration plates, I can't think of any reason why this is a bad thing to be obsessed with.  It can lead to other interests.  You will know the areas where the car was registered, so that in itself can be interesting.  You can know the age of the car.  You can look out for registration numbers that spell or nearly spell other words.  I remember getting excited at seeing a car with the registration number BU51 NES soon after that registration came out in 2001, and thinking what sort of business man he was!  Your hobby harms no one, so it is nothing to be ashamed of any more than someone supporting a football team is.

Since autism is a lifelong condition, I obviously must have been autistic all my life.  But like you there are things I have to come to terms with.  I can't say it bothers me overmuch, but I can't help wondering what might have been.  But the main thing to do is look to the future, and having the knowledge you now have will be a great help to you.  I just wish I could have had this knowledge at your age.

Best wishes for the future, Jess.  And may all your dreams come true.

 Hi Jess

I know how you must feel.  I remember when I was in my teenage years (a very long time ago to you it must seem - I'm 62) and all the usual problems that occur then.  And although I was not diagnosed until just before Christmas, I must have had ASD although it was not recognised at that time.

Boys can be obnoxious at that age, as I know from having been one. Like you, I didn't like the thought of people laughing at me, which made me appear very shy. I was always treated like some oddity and although I performed well at school I felt at times that I was being punished unnecessarily and bullied by some of the other kids.

You have the knowledge now though, which you can use to explain your behaviour.  Those who make unkind remarks, you would not want them as your friends, they are the losers in this not you.  You will find that many more people will be supportive of you and want to help you should you need it - the sort of people who recognise the difference between interference with your life and help. In a way it should make your choice of friends a bit easier, as you can dismiss straight away anyone who purposely makes unkind remarks. The world is large enough to accommodate people in all their diversities, and you will find others who like you for what you are, and wouldn't want you any other way.

You needn't tell people about your autism.  Teachers, yes, but fellow students, they don't need to know unless you can trust them, and I think you will already know who you can trust.  Telling people you trust can be of great help to you as they will support you and stand by you whatever problems you have.

Regarding the car registration plates, I can't think of any reason why this is a bad thing to be obsessed with.  It can lead to other interests.  You will know the areas where the car was registered, so that in itself can be interesting.  You can know the age of the car.  You can look out for registration numbers that spell or nearly spell other words.  I remember getting excited at seeing a car with the registration number BU51 NES soon after that registration came out in 2001, and thinking what sort of business man he was!  Your hobby harms no one, so it is nothing to be ashamed of any more than someone supporting a football team is.

Since autism is a lifelong condition, I obviously must have been autistic all my life.  But like you there are things I have to come to terms with.  I can't say it bothers me overmuch, but I can't help wondering what might have been.  But the main thing to do is look to the future, and having the knowledge you now have will be a great help to you.  I just wish I could have had this knowledge at your age.

Best wishes for the future, Jess.  And may all your dreams come true.