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Late diagnosed at 44 looking to connect in or near Chichester.

CharlotteChi

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently been diagnosed as autistic at 44 and I’m still processing what this means for me. I’m especially interested in learning more about unmasking and connecting with others who might share similar experiences.

My 11‑year‑old son was also diagnosed last year, so I’m navigating this both for myself and as a single parent.

I’m based near Chichester (West Sussex) and would love to connect with other autistic adults either online or in person locally if there are meet-ups or groups or other parent with kids a similar age. Any recommendations or just saying hi would be really appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Charlotte

Parents

  • Congratulations on yours and your son’s diagnosis!

    it’s totally understandable to feel a confusing mix of emotions post-diagnosis. One book that helped me to understand unmasking was “Unmasking Autism” by Devon Price. He uses a wide variety of different peoples’ perspectives on the matter.

    I have an Autistic daughter, but she’s a bit younger at seven years old. I’m also from the States, so I don’t know anything about Chichester. So sorry if I’m not much help, but if you have any questions I’m more than willing to help as I can!

  • in reply to profdanger

    Hi Prof danger,

    Great to connect with you. I've been devouring Devon Prices' book that you recommended so thank you!  I've also bought a few others ( Neurotribes, from Anxiety to Meltdown, How Autistics Grieve, Autism and the God connection and the Soul of Autism) the finally one I'm very keen to read. I'm not religious but very interested in spirituality and this book considers that Autistic people maybe spiritually gifted with telepathy, multisensory perception, or deep intuitive connections to animals and spirits. One of my special interests is and has always been the paranormal and Spiritualism. 

    Have you read any of the above titles? 

    The questions I have you may not be able to help with as you are so far away, such as how to go about connecting either online or in-person with other autistic people? I'm sociable ( in short bursts of time lol) and would love to meet up face to face with a community of people regularly either online or in-person a bit like a non-facilitated peer support group. There are lots of chats and forums but I'd like to find more scheduled weekly video chats or even in person based groups. I don't know any other late diagnosed adult Autistics in the flesh and I'd really like to. 

  • in reply to CharlotteChi

    Hello again! I’m glad you enjoy Unmasking Autism! I’ve read Neurotribes, but haven’t heard of the others. How Autistics Grieve sounds very interesting in particular to me.

    I actually lucked out and kind of stumbled on a friend group of mostly undiagnosed Autistic people. It just so happens one of my old college friends has a natural tendency to attract Autistic people into his circle, haha.

    Here in the States we’ve got an organization similar to NAS (the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network) that has affiliate groups in certain states. I think NAS has something similar? I can’t find it, maybe  can help with that.

    On a similar note: Dungeons & Dragons and other roleplay gaming groups tend to almost always attract Autistic people. Most groups might be a little too old for your son just yet, but the ones I’ve been in have had a diverse age group of adults!

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  • in reply to CharlotteChi

    Hello again! I’m glad you enjoy Unmasking Autism! I’ve read Neurotribes, but haven’t heard of the others. How Autistics Grieve sounds very interesting in particular to me.

    I actually lucked out and kind of stumbled on a friend group of mostly undiagnosed Autistic people. It just so happens one of my old college friends has a natural tendency to attract Autistic people into his circle, haha.

    Here in the States we’ve got an organization similar to NAS (the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network) that has affiliate groups in certain states. I think NAS has something similar? I can’t find it, maybe  can help with that.

    On a similar note: Dungeons & Dragons and other roleplay gaming groups tend to almost always attract Autistic people. Most groups might be a little too old for your son just yet, but the ones I’ve been in have had a diverse age group of adults!

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