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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 Amy,

    I am the same age as you and got my diagnosis last week.  I’m an occupational therapist and working on a masters in sensory processing.  I think my interest in autism and sensory problems has been driven by my hidden difficulties which I’m beginning to understand a lot better.  Funny how life goes full circle, having an interest in a topic which begins to answer long pondered question about yourself.  I too have only told close family so far, some good reactions and some rubbish.  I’m happy that I know a bit more about myself.  Spent a long time masking.  My eldest daughter got her diagnosis a few months ago so its nice we are in the same boat.  I could see a lot of myself in her at that age but she sure seems much happier because she doesn’t have to be someone else i think and her friends are supportive.

  • in reply to Gii

    Hi Gii,

    Thanks for the reply. It's crazy how many people our age and older have lived their whole lives without a diagnosis. Looking back it was so obvious when I was younger but I went to quite a rough school so had to learn to mask well. 

    It sounds like you're doing pretty well in life and I'm glad your daughter also has a diagnosis. She can hopefully avoid that feeling of being defective that I always had.

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  • in reply to Gii

    Hi Gii,

    Thanks for the reply. It's crazy how many people our age and older have lived their whole lives without a diagnosis. Looking back it was so obvious when I was younger but I went to quite a rough school so had to learn to mask well. 

    It sounds like you're doing pretty well in life and I'm glad your daughter also has a diagnosis. She can hopefully avoid that feeling of being defective that I always had.

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