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What to do now?

Littlemissanxious

Hi everyone Relaxed️ first time poster here,

I recently received my autism diagnosis, about 4 weeks ago. I am in my early 40s and during my assessment the doctor also said I should get assessed for ADHD. I have just joined the very long line for an assessment. I have told a few very close people, my friends have been very supportive, one was very shocked however after talking to her about how I truly feel she was suprised how much I have been masking. My sister was great, she already knew and my children have been amazing, they knew all along. I truly feel I am 100% myself, fully unmasked around them as my home is my safe space. My parents though have been less supportive,  I have been met with criticism, shock and being told the doctor was wrong. I feel this is maybe from a place of fear for them as they are the older generation. Its upset me though quite abit to not be able to discuss this with them.

I guess my question is what do I do now? I feel i have been given my diagnosis but not sure what to do with it. I'd love to find out more about how my mind works,  strategies I can use and also any suggestions on how to have those conversations with my family, I have not yet told my employer either. Does anyone have any book or podcast recommendations they could suggest? I'm better at podcasts or audio books as I can't seem to concentrate long enough to read a book at the moment. 

Sorry for such a long post, any help would be appreciated Relaxed️

Parents

  • I know you said not a book but there is quite a light hearted one written about ADHD by a couple where the woman has ADHD herself. I liked it because 1. It's written from their perspective rather than just spouting facts 2. It's still informative and touches on different presentations of ADHD. It's quite easy to read in chunks which may help you concentrating wise. 3. It is funny and being able to laugh at some of the ridiculous things my ADHD makes me do helps me a lot more than being bombarded by pure facts. They may also do it as an audio book. It's called Dirty Laundry. I forget their names but it's a man and a woman.

    I understand your difficulty with your parents. I never actually told mine about my autism or ADHD diagnosis because I anticipate a similar reaction and I just don't want to deal with it.

  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

    I've read Dirty Laundry and liked it, too. It's by Richard and Roxanne Pink. It attempts to destigmatise ADHD and reduce the shame of not living up to the standards of others.

    Their other book Small Talk is one that really made a huge difference for me, though (I've been banging on about it on this forum for the last few weeks). It's all about the lies people with ADHD tell themselves and how corrosive and soul-destroying that can be.

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  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

    I've read Dirty Laundry and liked it, too. It's by Richard and Roxanne Pink. It attempts to destigmatise ADHD and reduce the shame of not living up to the standards of others.

    Their other book Small Talk is one that really made a huge difference for me, though (I've been banging on about it on this forum for the last few weeks). It's all about the lies people with ADHD tell themselves and how corrosive and soul-destroying that can be.

Children
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