• Replies 11 replies
  • Subscribers 72 subscribers
  • Views 697 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Newly Diagnosed 18-year-old Girl!

Alice_Ella

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. I was recently diagnosed with autism last month. Looking back, I’ve always felt different, especially throughout my childhood and school years. College was particularly tough for me; the pressure of A-Levels combined with intense social anxiety led to burnout. That’s why I decided to take a gap year before heading to university.

This break gave me the time and space to reflect on my experiences in school and how my behaviour often differed from those around me. Over time, I began to recognise traits in myself that are commonly associated with autism, which eventually led me to seek a diagnosis. The process took about six months, so by the time I received confirmation, I had already started to come to terms with the likelihood of being autistic. As a result, I wasn’t too shocked when the diagnosis was confirmed.

Receiving the diagnosis brought a huge sense of relief. It gave me an explanation for so many aspects of my personality and behaviour that I’ve struggled to understand—and that others have often misunderstood. It’s helped me begin to make sense of myself, though I’m still adjusting and know that it will take time.

Even though I’m still early in my journey, I hope to eventually get involved in autism advocacy and contribute to charities. I especially want to raise awareness for girls and women who are often overlooked or misdiagnosed with conditions like anxiety or depression—something I personally went through. I spent a long time feeling alone and confused, and it wasn’t until I began learning about how autism presents in girls that I finally felt seen.

I’d really love to connect with others who’ve had similar experiences at school. I was always labelled as the "quiet girl" who rarely spoke, and that led to low self-esteem and social isolation. Making and maintaining friendships has always been a struggle for me, and at the moment, I don’t have any close friends, which can be very hard. Some days, it’s difficult to even leave the house.

Anyway, thank you for reading this long introduction! I’m just really grateful to have found a space with people who understand and share similar experiences.

Parents

  • Hello, I'm pleased your diagnosis was reasonably quick and makes sense to you. It may take some time for if to fully sink in, to find what your strengths and challenges are and how to make the best of things. 

    I have read that ASD in females can be quite different. It seems an area that has really changed recently and will continue to change.

    Taking a year off seems sensible, I wish I had done the same. Although once you get out of academia it may be more of a shock to the system when you get back in.

    Going to uni is a challenge due to all the requirements on top of just studying. I found it hard.

    What do you hope to do in your gap year? It may be good to do something that will give you confidence, if you can.

  • in reply to Stuart333

    Hi Stuart333, thank you so much for your kind message. I truly believe that taking a year off was the right decision for me at the time. That said, I have been a bit worried about feeling overwhelmed by the academic side of things, especially after taking a year away from studying.

    I’m feeling quite anxious about starting university this September—it’s a big change, and I’ll be moving away from home. I’ve always found major transitions and meeting new people quite difficult. However, I know that going to university is something I really want to do to help me build my independence and confidence.

    My goal during my gap year was to take time to relax and try new experiences. I got my first part-time job, which really helped me become more confident socially and gain some valuable work experience. A year ago, I couldn't even leave the house by myself, but now I can take the bus into town on my own—something I’m really proud of.

    I also started learning to drive this year, which has definitely been a challenge, but I’m happy to say I have my driving test booked for August, and I’m feeling confident about it.

    I’ve pushed myself to join gym classes and social clubs—something I never thought I’d be able to do because of my social anxiety. I even went to my first concert ever, and it was amazing! (Any other Robbie Williams fans out there?)

    I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved during my gap year, though I’ll admit there have been some isolating days—especially on days when I’m not working. I’ve struggled to build friendships outside of work, which is one reason why I’m really looking forward to university. Even though it feels scary, I’m hopeful it will help me be more social and less lonely.

  • in reply to Alice_Ella

    It sounds like you are doing well.

    It is good to push and get out of your comfort zone if you can, especially when other pressures are not too big.

    You have dove the right thing in getting out and building confidence. This will help you.

    Today's new thing will be tomorrow's familiar routine. Everything has to be new and scary once.

    Uni is really the one time in life where you are around like minded people of a similar age. It is easier to find people to do things with, which makes the anxiety much easier to deal with when going out as you are not alone.

    In most work places you rarely find many similar people.  I hope you make friends there. Before mobile phones and email it was very hard to keep in touch with people. It's easier now to keep in touch after uni.

    The work experience may well give you a more mature outlook that the others won't get till they do there year out. It should help you.

    Make sure you know how to cook a few simple things.

Reply
  • in reply to Alice_Ella

    It sounds like you are doing well.

    It is good to push and get out of your comfort zone if you can, especially when other pressures are not too big.

    You have dove the right thing in getting out and building confidence. This will help you.

    Today's new thing will be tomorrow's familiar routine. Everything has to be new and scary once.

    Uni is really the one time in life where you are around like minded people of a similar age. It is easier to find people to do things with, which makes the anxiety much easier to deal with when going out as you are not alone.

    In most work places you rarely find many similar people.  I hope you make friends there. Before mobile phones and email it was very hard to keep in touch with people. It's easier now to keep in touch after uni.

    The work experience may well give you a more mature outlook that the others won't get till they do there year out. It should help you.

    Make sure you know how to cook a few simple things.

Children
  • in reply to Stuart333

    Yes, I’ve noticed that in a work environment, it can be harder to make friends since you’re around the same people all the time. But it is what it is — I’m just glad I get to practice my social skills at work, even if I don’t always click with everyone.

    I’ve also been doing more cooking during my gap year to help prepare for adult life!

    Thank you for your kind message :)