Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi I am Mark,
I am 55 years old, I had an ASD assessment in March 2021. At the end of the assessment, I was diagnosed with autism (HFA).
Hi, I was diagnosed in February at 59 years of age, so you're not alone. There is no 'correct way' of being autistic, everyone is different and everyone's traits and experience of being autistic will be unique. There are commonalities between autistic people, obviously, otherwise we would not have the diagnosis. For example I have never flapped my hands or rocked, not even as a child, though many autistics find these stims are important to them. I can and do make eye-contact, though it is conscious and a learned behaviour, and do not find it particularly difficult or overwhelming. So, don't feel that you don't fit in if your traits are not typical.
Thanks Martin.