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Hello to my ASD

AdscendoDreamer

Hello - I guess I'm writing this assuming there are already 1000s of these so assuming I am wasting peoples time even bothering with this.

After five months of therapy I am coming to terms with my AUDHD. 

Having spent the first 50 years of my life convincing myself and others 'I don't like people' and mis-reading or not even noticing the signs in my body and mind.

Having people 'joke' that I was 'on the spectrum' and brushing it off. 

Over the last nearly half a year going through some of the lowest points, but working on understanding how I work and seeing the difference.

This feels a mess of a post, but hello.

  • Hi Hello and welcome 

    I’m in therapy too and like you it’s the first place I’ve been able to open up and discover who I am beneath the mask.

    Its a tough process, I totally understand that you’ve had some really low points, me too.

    You’re in the right place now to find support and encouragement.

    I hope you settle in and enjoy chatting with us.

    Blush

  • Hi there,  Every new person's story matters here. I am also AuDHD, diagnosed last summer at 59. Diagnosis can lead to a real mix of emotions, not least for those of us diagnosed later in life with more lived experience to re-code once we find out. Take your time, be kind to yourself. There's lots of us to riff with on here. You are not alone.

  • I spent the first 56 years of my life convincing myself and others I was "normal, just a bit sensitive and with a creative streak". I eventually learned to mask so well that when I told colleagues I was on the spectrum they were very surprised and said "I'd never have guessed".

    We all have slightly different journeys, but can all relate to a lot of the stuff that others here have experienced. Welcome to the community.

  • Hello. I hope you like it here, some interesting discussions to join in with or even just read. It took 3 episodes of therapy (different types) for me to realise I am probably autistic. 

  • Welcome  

    Yeah, it's a weird one to get your head around and it takes time. I'm still very much processing it and working it out. I hope it helps to chat to people here in the same boat! I find it helps and feels validating.

  • Hello - people are definitely welcome here with, or without, an Autism diagnosis.  Welcome.

    Nobody giving us here the privilege of us getting to know new forum members is wasting anyone's time.  Glad you have joined in the conversations.

    Plenty of 50+ age group people are here too.  Indeed, there is a name "Latelings" adopted by many of us here - who have also realised, later in adult life, that Autism is part of our life experience.

    The main website has lots of guidance information (you will see many of us making link reference to those pages as appropriate).

    I am sorry you have found the last 6 months difficult.  Many of us find absorbing and adapting to our Autism identification / diagnosis is a demanding time.  The below link provides further resources on that topic:

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/diagnosis/after-diagnosis

    "Trial an error" is the name of the game - as we (iteratively) trial new strategies / techniques / accommodations / reasonable adjustments in support of our understanding of ourselves and the environments we need to navigate.

  • Good morning from America, AdscendoDreamer!

    It’s good to hear that you’re coming to terms with your AuDHD after so long! Hey, better late than never, right? I’m also glad to hear that therapy is working for you. It doesn’t work for all Autists.

    You’ll find that there are a lot of people on here around your age that are discovering that they have been struggling with undiagnosed ADHD/ASD most of their lives. You’re certainly not alone in that regard!