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What are the benefits of an adult diagnosis

NAS86401
over 1 year ago

I’m 53 and deep down have always known that my outlook is very different to others.

For as long as I can remember I’ve struggled with things that some find easy and even exciting, I have just developed strategies to cope with the demands of life, mainly ensuring I’m busy, I’m in control and things are on my terms. This obviously doesn’t always work and relationships have suffered.

I haven’t sought help or a diagnosis before as I always thought it was just me, but the more the world has changed and the more we are encouraged to accept and celebrate our differences the more I have realised I may not be on my own.

However, what will having a diagnosis change for me, I will still feel all the things I have felt for the last 40 plus years, the anxiety won’t go away when my husband suggests going somewhere different on holiday, I won’t suddenly be able to maintain friendships.

Parents
  • over 1 year ago
    It isn't just about accepting and celebrating our differences but that at some point in your life you are probably going to need help and not get what you need because you communicate differently to other people. Having a diagnosis may help. There is actually little help for adults on the spectrum but I hope as we move through the years there will be more understanding and support offered as more people come forward as being autistic.
    Having a diagnosis is just the start and isn't a miracle cure for anything. But it does give you permission to be yourself. You may get a better understanding of things you find difficult. A lot of these things are hard-wired. I have stopped putting pressure on myself to reach my own expectation of being "neurotypical" because that is not what I am and is exhausting. I've found more peace in my life because of this.
Reply
  • over 1 year ago
    It isn't just about accepting and celebrating our differences but that at some point in your life you are probably going to need help and not get what you need because you communicate differently to other people. Having a diagnosis may help. There is actually little help for adults on the spectrum but I hope as we move through the years there will be more understanding and support offered as more people come forward as being autistic.
    Having a diagnosis is just the start and isn't a miracle cure for anything. But it does give you permission to be yourself. You may get a better understanding of things you find difficult. A lot of these things are hard-wired. I have stopped putting pressure on myself to reach my own expectation of being "neurotypical" because that is not what I am and is exhausting. I've found more peace in my life because of this.
Children
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