Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all
I've just been diagnosed ASD at the age of 55 having really struggled all my life to fit in and many disastrous relationships! I went down the private route for the diagnosis as I just needed to know what was 'wrong' with me. However, I've had the diagnosis now for over two weeks now but still haven't told my family, including my husband. I didn't tell him I was going for an assessment so I just can't seem to find the words to tell him. Has anyone any words of advise to deliver this news without frightening him!!! My family has alway jokingly said to him that he needs a medal for putting up with me. I seem to want to tell. my family but my 'friends' are different. Some think I'm odd / outspoken / funny anyway so maybe it won't come as a shock but how do I start the conversation. I seem to be worried about letting the genie out of the bottle. Thanks for listening as feeling very lost with all this at the moment but at least a lot of my past makes more sense to me know so I'm hoping that the future will be a brighter place for me AND my husband .
Remember that it is a journey for you to start with, I'm waiting for the diagnostic tests, you can now analyse things from your past and the pieces fit.
The other week I started to notice I would do "air drumming" when sat with my legs=Autistic trait. Wait, I have been doing that since my teenage years.
You can use what you can now recognise in you to say you are different and build up those things until you can say something like these are associated with a lifelong condition - Autism. see how it goes and then say that you have done the tests and been formally diagnosed.
This is how I feel about it and as I posted once others identify and then understand what it is then they become more aware and can then see little things in others that come from diagnosed/undiagnosed mental health conditions.
You and your husband have been together a while and he must see some things too so it may not be as hard as you think.