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
I have met someone new who has a psychology degree.. we became friends and he kept saying remarks about AS after observing some of my behaviour and I dismissed them.. because "I would have known if I was autistic ofcourse and I am not THAT smart". But during one of my shutdowns, I decided to research AS to see the fuss as all I really knew of it before was stereotypes like "Rain man" or "Sheldon Cooper". I took some tests and read ALOT of information but soon the penny dropped and it just made so much sense!
Medical professionals wouldn't have known without my raising it because I internalise the impact and on the face of it, I lead a "normal" life.