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Hey :)

April

My name is April. I’m autistic, I was only just diagnosed, about a month ago and I still feel like my mind is trying to process everything. In some ways I wish I had been diagnosed a lot sooner, I’m 21 which I know is a lot earlier than a lot of autistics get diagnosed but in that time my life has been such a rollercoaster.

I wonder if my life would have been easier being equipped with the knowledge of knowing I was autistic?

I guess it’s pointless thinking that way though as I can’t change it. But I can't help but think about it a lot lately, it's become one of those obsessive thought processes that I can't shake for a while/

In a way I feel reborn like I can now face life as myself, the real me, the autistic version who I kept hidden away out of fear of being weird and different and judged by others for being like that. Now I am doing my best to embrace my autism.

Parents

  • Hi April! Welcome to the community. Congratulations on your diagnosis!! I hope it helps you learn more about yourself and can begin to unmask. 
    It will take time to process the diagnosis, everyone is different, but for me I’m still processing it about 14 months on from my diagnosis. Looking back and thinking if you would have been better equipped knowing earlier, is a very natural thing to be thinking. The way I describe it, and many others do to, is that you’re grieving your childhood. I would say to not think what could have been, and instead focus on the now and embracing it. You’re doing the right thing by being part of this community. I have found learning from others on here very helpful. I have also found watching loads of autistic YouTubers helpful too. 

    Slight smile

Reply

  • Hi April! Welcome to the community. Congratulations on your diagnosis!! I hope it helps you learn more about yourself and can begin to unmask. 
    It will take time to process the diagnosis, everyone is different, but for me I’m still processing it about 14 months on from my diagnosis. Looking back and thinking if you would have been better equipped knowing earlier, is a very natural thing to be thinking. The way I describe it, and many others do to, is that you’re grieving your childhood. I would say to not think what could have been, and instead focus on the now and embracing it. You’re doing the right thing by being part of this community. I have found learning from others on here very helpful. I have also found watching loads of autistic YouTubers helpful too. 

    Slight smile

Children
  • in reply to Andy

    Hi Andy.

    I like your PFP. I'm a big Lego fan :) 

    Thank you. I'm glad I'm not alone in doing this. I remember feeling like the only person who felt a lot things for most of my life so far, at times I forget that there's thousands of others who are like this now. It's a comfort to know it isn't just me. I wasn't sure about joining a community at first but then I thought I would. I'm glad I did. It feels right being here.