Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi, I'm new so I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm in my mid-30s, living in Scotland. For most of my adult life I've suspected I might be autistic, but only recently decided to speak to my GP about getting a referral.
It wasn't until getting my first job a few years ago, that I started having major difficulties. Working in an open plan office is something I've never got used too, particularly when it gets noisy, plus the lighting. And it took me too long to figure out all the unwritten socials rules that I'd ended up rubbing up many of my colleagues up the wrong way.
Anyway at the time I got a referral from my GP to an audiologist and got diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder, as sound was one of the bigger issues I struggled with. Though I kind of regret just not seeking an autism diagnosis back then as it would have been easier knowing one way or the other.
But now that I have finally spoken to my GP about an autism assessment referral, it feels like being stuck in between. Even though I feel reasonably sure from everything I've read about ASD, I don't know for certain. So still working out what to do with that self-knowledge, if that makes any sense.
This has been more rambly than I intended!
Hi Pegasus,
I got my diagnosis at 35. It was good to have it confirmed.
I had always suspected as much.
Are you happy as you are?
Only tell people who you trust. Because sometimes the stereotypes are not helpful.
If you get a diagnosis it will not change the positive aspects of your personality. But it will give you incite into some of the struggles you may have. Or are currently having.
I have read many books on Asd. The ones that I personally find more realistic are those written by Asd people or their relatives.
We can acknowledge there is not a one size fits all manual for this condition.
All of us are individuals. So culture, how we are treated by family.
The communities we live in. Even social class effects how we view the person we have become as an adult.
Don't stress about what you might be. Just try & carry on with a positive mindset knowing, if you are Autistic you will be ok.
There is lots of self help available out there online.
You could even start your own support group.
Other Asd individuals can be a fountain of info. As usual online don't give your personal details.