Published on 12, July, 2020
A brief review of the posts here suggests there is a theme about the dearth of specific mainstream/NHS support for autistic adults in getting adjusted and adjustment to things after diagnosis later in life.
Age 58 I was diagnosed as autistic last year.
So, guess what I came to this site to look for? :-)
Even if this were available it makes sense to me that the best counselors will be from within this community - as they have lived experience of it.
It would be lovely to have a simple one step at a time process to things after diagnosis.
Seems though that it's not that simple. There's a whole lot of stuff that seems to flood out when the dam bursts.
Perhaps re-interpreting and reconsidering all the "masking" that one might have been using is part of the process of self discovery in the early phase?
What sort of priorities have other members found greatest in the early post diagnosis phase please?
Can you share how you found to address them?
Hello. It’s quite common to feel a whole range of emotions after your autistic discovery. You are not alone.
Automonistic has already posted a very useful link about common reactions to autistic discovery, so I hope this helps you.
There are also autistic therapists who can support you through the emotional process of autistic identification. I have posted a link to Neurodivergent Therapists some of whom specialise in post diagnostic support:
https://neurodivergenttherapists.com/directory/
I have also posted a link to some peer support sessions led by Autistic UK. In these sessions you can chat with other autistic people regarding your emotions and thoughts about your diagnosis:
https://www.autisticuk.org/peersupport
Phased said:It would be lovely to have a simple one step at a time process to things after diagnosis. Seems though that it's not that simple. There's a whole lot of stuff that seems to flood out when the dam bursts.
It seems that you know this but the autistic discovery journey is not linear so be kind to yourself. Your emotions are valid after all late autistic identification is life changing.
I hope this helps.
Thanks for your reply :-) Sharing the resources are much appreciated. Not sure if it is pragmatic miserliness or something else but I am not able to go down the specialist private counselling route at present. Peer support in the form of the good people I'm coming into contact with such as youself and Automistic is great :-)
Phased said:pragmatic miserliness
I like it That's a phrase which could be used to describe me as well.
Thanks for explaining.
in this case, that spending mots of money tricky when I wonder whether I'll be OK to earn more... at the risk of being too open with things, work at present borderline from mental health perspective for me.