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Hello!

Jarvis
over 3 years ago

Hi, 

 I was diagnosed in December at the age of 41 and fluctuate between feeling "really autistic" and feeling like I'm faking it. I don't know any other autistic people (as far as I know). I told one friend who doesn't believe my diagnosis and whose lack of support has been a bit of a blow and my partner and family. Her brother made jokes at the weekend about looking at a holiday cottage which had a play room for me. He hadn't been looking at cottages at all and I have been left feeling a bit foolish for not realising the extent of his banter until the next day and for allowing him to kind of bully me. My fault as I do make 'jokes' as a bit of a foil and have now blurred the lines over what is appropriate and what is hurtful. 

How have you dealt with telling people? How do you manage with the feelings of faking it? I think some of these forum posts have been really helpful. I'm conscious that I have mainly posted asking for advice/moaning about stuff and will try to be more cheerful in my next post! 

Have a good day! 

Parents
  • over 3 years ago

    Like you I was diagnosed later on in life (56).   i am lucky in that I do have an 'autism aware' family.   I am open, direct and honest about my autism.   By and large it works.   People on the telephone seem to get it, so do authorities, police and health professionals (by and large).   I hope over time the feeling of faking will go.   You are who you are, we all are, and in my old life I got fed up of people who wanted me to change and become 'someone different' - which I knew I couldn't do.   Making jokes is normal, and for others it might be a way of dealing with the unknown - perhaps a bit frightening for them too.   You are not a fraud - you are you, and that's OK, that;s who you are.   I hope others will come to terms with that (but that's their problem) as they get used to you and accepting and understanding.   Good luck.   

Reply
  • over 3 years ago

    Like you I was diagnosed later on in life (56).   i am lucky in that I do have an 'autism aware' family.   I am open, direct and honest about my autism.   By and large it works.   People on the telephone seem to get it, so do authorities, police and health professionals (by and large).   I hope over time the feeling of faking will go.   You are who you are, we all are, and in my old life I got fed up of people who wanted me to change and become 'someone different' - which I knew I couldn't do.   Making jokes is normal, and for others it might be a way of dealing with the unknown - perhaps a bit frightening for them too.   You are not a fraud - you are you, and that's OK, that;s who you are.   I hope others will come to terms with that (but that's their problem) as they get used to you and accepting and understanding.   Good luck.   

Children