The last 36 years of my life now make much more sense...

Just finding out more for now I think. I want to understand things a bit more before I go down the GP route

It’s been a whirlwind!! I’m confused and in a weird place in my head. Just trying to make sense of things, get a clear picture of things in my mind. 

Are you interested in getting diagnosed, or just finding more info for now? 

Thank you for the recommendation! It's surreal finding out later in life isn't it

Down time has always been important to me, I take days off annual leave every now and then just to have a quiet day on my own.... people have always found it weird and I've always said I need it as part of my mental health care

Thank you - yes I'm going to hold fire from going to the GP for now - I've been in and out so much over the last few months I could do with the break :) I'll use online resources to understand things a bit more first

Hi Paul!

I’m 37 and just found out too! It’s great here on the forum, lots of us going through similar experiences and feelings.

A friend of my partner’s gave us a book to read and it’s really really good it’s called The Complete Guide to Asperger’s by Tony Attwood. Well worth a read, you can usually get it from the library too. 

Welcome! I had an adult diagnosis at 30 and the things that have helped me the most are: noise-cancelling earplugs / headphones, tinted glasses for indoors, scheduling quiet time into the diary for at least a full day at the weekends (usually Sunday), journalling, having a ring or chewing gum to spin or chew, stopping putting pressure on myself to speak, and admitting when I don't understand. Having family members and colleagues who understand the condition and don't put any pressure on me to speak more has also helped more than I can say. In the last few months I've been looking into hearing technology and there have been some significant advances being made. My brain has trouble with sounds and hearing speech, although my ears themselves are ok. I tried hearing tech that has SINC (Speech In Noise Control) which quietens background noise and amplifies speech, and couldn't believe the improvement. My family told me right away that I was speaking more clearly, and I could follow conversations better. Recent technology advances are really exciting, I think, and there's a lot of innovation happening! Happy to share some more info if you're interested. Wishing you all the best

Welcome!x

If you're looking for support, you've come to the right place! There's also lots of useful material on the site, so feel free to have a look around :) 

If you want to look into this condition further and maybe get a diagnosis etc, I'd speak to a GP about this - they're very helpful throughout the whole process!

Much love <3

It really is good to know - thank you. I'm taking each day at a time, this year has been a rollercoaster in so many different ways!

I know the feeling right down to the 36 years part. I can't really offer any advice on moving forward yet since I'm still in that spot myself, but I've learned how much it helps to know that someone else in in the same shoes, so just know that you're not the only one.

Thank you! I certainly will

Morning PaulT, thanks for stopping by. I'm new here too and your words of things suddenly making sense and kind of falling into place ring true.

The 'slightly scary but also incredibly liberating' is well put.

In terms of lived experiences and information, raise a topic you're curious about - or talk about your own experience of something - and we'll gladly chime in.

Welcome to the forum and a good Sunday to you too.