New diagnosis

Hi, I just wanted to say congratulations, I hope, on your diagnosis. I hope it starts to help you figure out everything, it can be a very confusing journey. 

One thing I've picked up is not to rush into telling everyone about it. It's a big thing, and I'm still processing it myself, and while my husband and kids know, I haven't yet broached the subject with anyone else just yet at I'm not quite ready. 

Some people might not share your excitement/importance and think they are reassuring you that they don't think you are autistic, when actually you are just needing acceptanceb that you are. So I think having some back up scripts to say about what autism is (not just Rainman or Sheldon), and why you are, will help. 

Telling work sounds like a minefield, of whether you have a good experience or a very bad one. I don't feel the need to tell mine as I work remotely and don't need be accommodations. 

Read a lot on here, you can search for conversations to see what others have said previously and start new posts. And join in with all the chatter, some of it is serious/philosophical/social/random. 

I've been reading books too to try and help, though I can't get through them like a normally do with books, as everything makes me think of my own experiences and then I've found I've zoned out and lost my place!

Wishing you all the best!

Thank you, that's really kind. 

Yes, I still haven't really processed it yet to be honest and I've spent such a long time masking things and acting in ways that I haven't necessarily naturally felt, that I'm not too sure how else to be just at the moment. I'm sure things will get a little more figured out. I started a new job in September which I'm not hugely enjoying, in a large part due to my manager and the massive lack of support I've been given since starting and, considering it's in the care industry working with disabled people, the things she comes out with have had me flabbergasted. She stood in the residence in which I support four autistic individuals the other day and actually said "for want of a better word, 'normal people' see the world in black and white but there's also that grey area, whereas autistics just see things in black and white!" Needless to say, I'm looking for another job asap at the moment because between that, an overall very negative atmosphere, swamped with paperwork I don't know what to do with and gruelling shifts, it's really not the job for me! 

I'm probably going to tell her about my diagnosis anyway, it will be interesting to see what her reaction will be! 

My wife doesn't seem very convinced by my diagnosis, even though she was the one who originally suggested I pursue it, plus we have an autistic son. Still working on things and lots of answers to things throughout my life, plus lots more questions have popped up... I'll get there! 

Thanks again, Andy

Thank you, that's really kind. 

Yes, I still haven't really processed it yet to be honest and I've spent such a long time masking things and acting in ways that I haven't necessarily naturally felt, that I'm not too sure how else to be just at the moment. I'm sure things will get a little more figured out. I started a new job in September which I'm not hugely enjoying, in a large part due to my manager and the massive lack of support I've been given since starting and, considering it's in the care industry working with disabled people, the things she comes out with have had me flabbergasted. She stood in the residence in which I support four autistic individuals the other day and actually said "for want of a better word, 'normal people' see the world in black and white but there's also that grey area, whereas autistics just see things in black and white!" Needless to say, I'm looking for another job asap at the moment because between that, an overall very negative atmosphere, swamped with paperwork I don't know what to do with and gruelling shifts, it's really not the job for me! 

I'm probably going to tell her about my diagnosis anyway, it will be interesting to see what her reaction will be! 

My wife doesn't seem very convinced by my diagnosis, even though she was the one who originally suggested I pursue it, plus we have an autistic son. Still working on things and lots of answers to things throughout my life, plus lots more questions have popped up... I'll get there! 

Thanks again, Andy