Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all, just interested in finding out how you became aware of your Autism?
for me, it was very recently at the age of 53, i had been sat doing a bit of soul searching, sat there looking back through my life realising i havent had as many relationships as others my age, and realising i only have family and work colleague, not friends and that i have struggle throughout life to try to form any.
i find starting up conversations can be very difficult, and keeping them going more so, i have never felt comfortable in social settings, often trying to find a corner to slink off in to. Centre of attention is a big no, i had to give a best mans speech once, i didnt sleep well for 3 weeks, and on the big day had to have plenty of support from the wife and dutch courage from the bottle.
I thought i may have just been very insecure and shy but decided, although its too late in life to change whats past, i would have a chat with my GP, just to see if there was anything that could explain "me".
having completed the test she sent, it came back with the result of strong Autistic characteristics. i now have to wait to get a proper assessment, but this could help explain why i am the way i am
Siggy
Hi Siggy, I had just turned 54 when the flame was finally lit under me. The same as a lot write here, I just always knew I was different, no one else seemed to experience the world in the same way. Social occasions and having to interact with others was way beyond the norm.
I was working in my workshop on my own as I do everyday with the radio on. Two young ladies were being interviewed, they were both 18 and late diagnosed, apparently 18 is late. They spoke for 20 minutes about autism and how it affects their lives. At the end of the interview, I was in shock, they had just pretty much described my life. Two months later I approached my GP, it was the 10 minutes and only one item appointment but that was more than enough. I emailed the surgery after being sent the same questionnaires as you, was told to fill them in without the GP, a few months later a more in-depth set arrived from the assessment unit. One piece of advice is, don’t try to process your entire life too quickly.