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Newly diagnosed at 42

latediagnosed

Hi, I’m not sure what to expect here, but thought I’d reach out. I was recently diagnosed with autism, six weeks ago. 

I never anticipated:

- The amount of shock my body would experience from a diagnosis

- The physical crash, plummet in capacity and sensory overwhelm that’s hit since the diagnosis

- How hard and lonely it’s felt navigating others’ reactions to the diagnosis. Funny how you expect it to bring more understanding and connection, but it’s not been the case for me unfortunately. 

Here to find some like minded people who are on the same journey Yellow heart

Parents

  • Yes - people’s reactions are not always as we would hope. My mother had dementia so couldn’t even understand that I’d been diagnosed, my dad was just sceptical and dismissive, and my brother wasn’t interested basically! However my children were massively supportive (they’d already been diagnosed as autistic) and my husband wasn’t interested basically great. Ultimately how people react depends on the level of their understanding and their kindness and empathy - and not everyone has that. 

    I had a lot going on at the point that I actually got the diagnosis and I barely had time to properly take it in. But as my children had already been diagnosed I was neither surprised or shocked - so it was easier in that sense. But gradually over the next few weeks and months it did give me moments when I felt some sadness and grief that during my childhood I’d been misunderstood and had little support and understanding as I struggled with many aspects of life.

    i think a diagnosis is a positive thing - because the more we understand ourselves hopefully the better we can be at taking care of ourselves, and blaming ourselves when we struggle. Self acceptance and kindness towards ourselves is such a helpful thing. I feel I’m more forgiving of myself now - I was always so hard on myself before. 

Reply

  • Yes - people’s reactions are not always as we would hope. My mother had dementia so couldn’t even understand that I’d been diagnosed, my dad was just sceptical and dismissive, and my brother wasn’t interested basically! However my children were massively supportive (they’d already been diagnosed as autistic) and my husband wasn’t interested basically great. Ultimately how people react depends on the level of their understanding and their kindness and empathy - and not everyone has that. 

    I had a lot going on at the point that I actually got the diagnosis and I barely had time to properly take it in. But as my children had already been diagnosed I was neither surprised or shocked - so it was easier in that sense. But gradually over the next few weeks and months it did give me moments when I felt some sadness and grief that during my childhood I’d been misunderstood and had little support and understanding as I struggled with many aspects of life.

    i think a diagnosis is a positive thing - because the more we understand ourselves hopefully the better we can be at taking care of ourselves, and blaming ourselves when we struggle. Self acceptance and kindness towards ourselves is such a helpful thing. I feel I’m more forgiving of myself now - I was always so hard on myself before. 

Children
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