Newly diagnosed and not sure how to feel

I feel it is worth acknowledging that the current assessment process is really rather a blunt stick.  (The feedback can sound too heavily biased towards highlighting those things we biologically, naturally, may not find as easy to do as a non-Autistic person ...without the extra effort of masking to "fit in").

Try reminding yourself; that the assessment does not place enough emphasis on identifying:

• our Autistic NEEDS which provide us clues on how to identify and mitigate for environments potentially not well set up to help us navigate them on our own terms (e.g. my hearing sensitivity means I need to give myself a break from the utter dissonant racket in the average supermarket by remembering to take a pair of ear defenders with me / find out if they schedule a quiet hour / wear a sunflower hidden disabilities lanyard so trained supermarket staff might better appreciate I might benefit from a little patience and understanding if I am struggling in their environment)
• our SUPPORT, inclusion and reasonable adjustment requirements as protected by legislation (e.g. when I attend the Dentist appointment - it is not unreasonable of me to request: an early morning appointment, they turn the background radio off, the protective goggles for me to wear are with smoked lenses to cut out some of the lighting glare, if I need a few extra pauses to aid my self-regulation that is an expected aspect of my treatment, the staff should know that I am making a supreme effort to show up)
• our STRENGTHS which can be many and varied, from one Autistic person to the next, (e.g. society can be helped to embrace and play to our strengths - as there will be a considerable list of things which we are better at / find naturally easier to do than for a non-Autistic person in the same scenario.  These GLIMMERS are unique to us as individuals - although there may be some common themes often shared among our Autistic / Neurodivergent community - we maybe relied upon to be honest even in a hard situation and loving deeply, in our own manner, those people important to us ...our "love language" is usually true to our nature and values and we are often bold to share that with people - even in a crisis situation ... something which others in society may struggle to do themselves in a similar event).

What I am trying to say; is that your assessment feedback report does not define you - you are so very much more than that that report ever describes.

The Autism diagnosis may provide the fresh awareness and specific language / terminology to help you to better explore the aspects in which the assessment itself, not you, is deficient:

• coming to understanding your needs,
• shaping boundaries to aid your support,
• re-discovering your strengths / glimmers ...which have always been present - but may have become camouflaged by (years) of effort in trying your best to unwittingly morph into a non-Autistic person (which is a pity, as your average Autistic person is, well, really pretty stellar underneath that unnecessary load when you get to know them and doesn't need to hide themselves anymore).

Over time, the new information can offer you the opportunity to shake off some of the "why is this so hard for me" thinking / worries and aid you to divert more energy towards celebrating what you enjoy, that which interests you, things you would like to learn to experience, learn how to scare your glimmers.

Hopefully, among similar-minded and hearted people here on the forum - you might be able to discover and exchange passions / hints / tips for navigating Autistic life - as, while you are definitely "enough" (excellent) already, unfortunately, the average assessment report is not usually "all that" (... actually, often barely adequate).

Therefore, on that note: what things do you find that you enjoy doing - the real inner-fuel passions? - I don't mean the non-Autistic setting / small talk sanitised edition!

I'll start the process rolling: at least once a week, even if it is only for a few hours, I really do need to spend some alone time - pottering about around home, or out and about on errands, better still would be walking somewhere more naturally than tarmac and concrete (bonus if there is water nearby to watch or hear). 

Why?  Just because I enjoy it and it lets me hear my own thoughts without interruptions from people not on my Neurodivergent (ND) wavelength. 

Did I appreciate all that before my Autism diagnosis?  No. 

Am I now, post-diagnosis, learning to better prioritise my wellbeing as an Autistic person by doing the alone time thing?  Yes.

Does it help me?  Yes, I am a "work in progress".

p.s. I am what we sometimes here refer to as a "lateling" - meaning only diagnosed as an adult (in my case that didn't happen until I was in my late 50's) ...so, yep, I will admit that quite a lot of "work in progress" is still outstanding. 

One foot in front of the other, one step / small change at a time, just showing up is sufficient on some days, with plenty of: "try it / review it / refine it" cycles operating at any one time. 

It is a process full of experimentation, adaptation and acclimatisation (but not one to be rushed).

Welcome.

I feel it is worth acknowledging that the current assessment process is really rather a blunt stick.  (The feedback can sound too heavily biased towards highlighting those things we biologically, naturally, may not find as easy to do as a non-Autistic person ...without the extra effort of masking to "fit in").

Try reminding yourself; that the assessment does not place enough emphasis on identifying:

• our Autistic NEEDS which provide us clues on how to identify and mitigate for environments potentially not well set up to help us navigate them on our own terms (e.g. my hearing sensitivity means I need to give myself a break from the utter dissonant racket in the average supermarket by remembering to take a pair of ear defenders with me / find out if they schedule a quiet hour / wear a sunflower hidden disabilities lanyard so trained supermarket staff might better appreciate I might benefit from a little patience and understanding if I am struggling in their environment)
• our SUPPORT, inclusion and reasonable adjustment requirements as protected by legislation (e.g. when I attend the Dentist appointment - it is not unreasonable of me to request: an early morning appointment, they turn the background radio off, the protective goggles for me to wear are with smoked lenses to cut out some of the lighting glare, if I need a few extra pauses to aid my self-regulation that is an expected aspect of my treatment, the staff should know that I am making a supreme effort to show up)
• our STRENGTHS which can be many and varied, from one Autistic person to the next, (e.g. society can be helped to embrace and play to our strengths - as there will be a considerable list of things which we are better at / find naturally easier to do than for a non-Autistic person in the same scenario.  These GLIMMERS are unique to us as individuals - although there may be some common themes often shared among our Autistic / Neurodivergent community - we maybe relied upon to be honest even in a hard situation and loving deeply, in our own manner, those people important to us ...our "love language" is usually true to our nature and values and we are often bold to share that with people - even in a crisis situation ... something which others in society may struggle to do themselves in a similar event).

What I am trying to say; is that your assessment feedback report does not define you - you are so very much more than that that report ever describes.

The Autism diagnosis may provide the fresh awareness and specific language / terminology to help you to better explore the aspects in which the assessment itself, not you, is deficient:

• coming to understanding your needs,
• shaping boundaries to aid your support,
• re-discovering your strengths / glimmers ...which have always been present - but may have become camouflaged by (years) of effort in trying your best to unwittingly morph into a non-Autistic person (which is a pity, as your average Autistic person is, well, really pretty stellar underneath that unnecessary load when you get to know them and doesn't need to hide themselves anymore).

Over time, the new information can offer you the opportunity to shake off some of the "why is this so hard for me" thinking / worries and aid you to divert more energy towards celebrating what you enjoy, that which interests you, things you would like to learn to experience, learn how to scare your glimmers.

Hopefully, among similar-minded and hearted people here on the forum - you might be able to discover and exchange passions / hints / tips for navigating Autistic life - as, while you are definitely "enough" (excellent) already, unfortunately, the average assessment report is not usually "all that" (... actually, often barely adequate).

Therefore, on that note: what things do you find that you enjoy doing - the real inner-fuel passions? - I don't mean the non-Autistic setting / small talk sanitised edition!

I'll start the process rolling: at least once a week, even if it is only for a few hours, I really do need to spend some alone time - pottering about around home, or out and about on errands, better still would be walking somewhere more naturally than tarmac and concrete (bonus if there is water nearby to watch or hear). 

Why?  Just because I enjoy it and it lets me hear my own thoughts without interruptions from people not on my Neurodivergent (ND) wavelength. 

Did I appreciate all that before my Autism diagnosis?  No. 

Am I now, post-diagnosis, learning to better prioritise my wellbeing as an Autistic person by doing the alone time thing?  Yes.

Does it help me?  Yes, I am a "work in progress".

p.s. I am what we sometimes here refer to as a "lateling" - meaning only diagnosed as an adult (in my case that didn't happen until I was in my late 50's) ...so, yep, I will admit that quite a lot of "work in progress" is still outstanding. 

One foot in front of the other, one step / small change at a time, just showing up is sufficient on some days, with plenty of: "try it / review it / refine it" cycles operating at any one time. 

It is a process full of experimentation, adaptation and acclimatisation (but not one to be rushed).

Welcome.