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34, diagnosed yesterday, hello!

Fraiselongue

Hello,

I'm generally nervous about posting on forums and replying so I thought I'd throw myself in.

13 years ago, whilst having an awful time studying to become a teacher on a PGCE course, I read about ASD and realised that I had it. I took lots of online tests and was shocked to score so highly but never felt able to join in with the autistic community as I wasn't diagnosed and was too scared to seek a diagnosis.

Recently, we have been in a better position financially so my husband agreed we could invest in a private assessment (waiting lists are 2 years here). I was incredibly nervous beforehand but the two psychologists were lovely. The assessment was yesterday. It was exhausting so I've been in bed all day today, but finally having a diagnosis feels very good.

I have told a few people but I'm feeling anxious about sharing my diagnosis with some people as I fear a negative reaction. Either "don't be ridiculous" or "that's why you're such a ****". I'd be really interested to hear how people have shared their diagnosis and what the reactions were.

The worst I have had so far was "It's a good job you weren't diagnosed as a child as you would have been written off as disabled". My twitter friends on the other hand have either said "I hope they can help you now" (as in, you have a problem that must be fixed") or "Congratulations, now you can be you".

Thanks for reading 

Parents

  • Hi welcome

    Dont be afraid here. We all want to hear your experiences.   wait a while before u share you diagnosis. I was in an unstable state for a week afterwards a month later I am a but better --- I let my immediate family know immediately but have only told my direct line manager in my office. I too am afraid it will somehow be used against me.  Having got my diagnosis has given me an inner feeling of peace. After being diagnosed I went on line and learnt as much as possible about ASD and associated disorders. Also youtube and Ted x has loads of life experiences by people of all sorts on the spectrum. I look for how to handle situations and how other auties/aspies view the world, other symptoms that have been missed etc . Anyway please dont worry you will be fine I think to know helps.  Share your thoughts here. 

Reply

  • Hi welcome

    Dont be afraid here. We all want to hear your experiences.   wait a while before u share you diagnosis. I was in an unstable state for a week afterwards a month later I am a but better --- I let my immediate family know immediately but have only told my direct line manager in my office. I too am afraid it will somehow be used against me.  Having got my diagnosis has given me an inner feeling of peace. After being diagnosed I went on line and learnt as much as possible about ASD and associated disorders. Also youtube and Ted x has loads of life experiences by people of all sorts on the spectrum. I look for how to handle situations and how other auties/aspies view the world, other symptoms that have been missed etc . Anyway please dont worry you will be fine I think to know helps.  Share your thoughts here. 

Children
  • in reply to aidie

    Thank you so much for the reply. It's funny because for years I've sneakily looked at ASD information and forums as if I were looking at something forbidden, as I was a fraudulent aspie at the time! It's nice to do it "honestly". YouTube videos really appeals to me as I don't know any autistic people in real life (I'm sure I've met many but none diagnosed). Being able to share little issues and things will be nice.

    I have told my Mum, husband, daughter and a few close friends (telling people online is so much easier!) but my biggest worry is extended family and people like my next door neighbour who I see often and has talked in a negative way about autism in the past. There's no rush I guess. I won't get the full report for 2-3 weeks and will no doubt have lots to digest.

    Emotionally it was tricky because I found out half an hour before I needed to collect my daughter from school so I really wanted a big cry and couldn't. I'm hoping I can read the report on a day when I can work through some of the feelings.

    Thanks so much for welcoming me. It seems really nice here. X