New to this forum; diagnosed as autistic in January 2020

Hi there

I'm also new to the NAS community and forums  :) I've recently been diagnosed as autistic, at 27 years old. It took 2 years from the point of referral from the GP to get my assessment (i had to beg my GP to refer me because they didnt believe i was autistic). Getting my diagnosis made everything click into place and i finally felt an acceptance in myself that its okay to act, dress and feel differently compared to other people

Ive always found it difficult to make and maintain friendships with other women because theres this unspoken expectation of how women should act and look, and i just didnt fit into their expectations/clique. Ive found the lockdown particularly difficult because its already hard to try reach out and talk to the few friends that i have anyway

Hi there

I'm also new to the NAS community and forums  :) I've recently been diagnosed as autistic, at 27 years old. It took 2 years from the point of referral from the GP to get my assessment (i had to beg my GP to refer me because they didnt believe i was autistic). Getting my diagnosis made everything click into place and i finally felt an acceptance in myself that its okay to act, dress and feel differently compared to other people

Ive always found it difficult to make and maintain friendships with other women because theres this unspoken expectation of how women should act and look, and i just didnt fit into their expectations/clique. Ive found the lockdown particularly difficult because its already hard to try reach out and talk to the few friends that i have anyway

Welcome Hbee, congrats on your perseverance with the GP. It's a disgrace that they didn't take you seriously! It makes you wonder how many others out there who are being fobbed off, partly I am sure because a referral means £££ to them   .... I am sure that as a society - what is surfacing is the 'tip of the iceberg'. Where I work, I can spot some real telltale signs of Aspie behaviour in others, who may not be aware, it's cringing because I can't say anything incase I upset or offend  them, even though I suspect they struggle. 

Hi HBee,

I had similar problems with all the dressing up, wearing make up and going to the hairdresser bit (female  p u r g a t o r y) but have thankfully evolved a system now where I can please myself and be comfortable.

Friendships I still find difficult and that probably relates back to a lot of childhood stuff.

During lockdown I have been wearing a face mask and so have an awful lot of other people. So, during food shopping, providing people 'are' wearing a mask, I have shamelessly talked to all of them! I also find that most people are really happy to talk, even if it's just about how tedious all the queuing is. Try it. :-)

Monday and the opening of non-essential shops is now on the horizon. I'm going to continue to wear a mask (I think they are being given out for free on buses and tubes) and I'm going to continue to talk. We are after all in exactly the same COVID-19 boat.

Stay safe
and every good wish
Ess Cee