Hello. Are there any people here who were born in the 70s and 80s, always different, now diagnosed with high-functioning autism? Like me?

I am late diagnosed and born in the 1970s. I was in the class year  above during first school and then had to be with my age group and do an extra year there. I was always different but worked hard to fit in. I cried a lot, felt injustice very strongly and hated criticism of any kind, I would cry and cry and actually it still makes me cry quite uncontrollably. I loved being on my own playing g although I also felt lonely when I was in the playground. When I did have a friend for a short time, it always ended and I never knew why. 
I also was a tomboy and loved animals and my grandparents, who taught me quite complicated card games when I was little. 
looking back my childhood was hard but there were kind people around too. 

I am 53 and was born in March 1973 and autism came out in 1980 and Aspergers in 1993/1994. I had left school by the time aspergers came out. I left school in 1991.

I left a primary school at 8.5 where I had behavioural issues and some issues where linked to sensory sensitivity. That was is in 1981. I went into a new school with a different regime, but struggled to adjust and I had issues with my school work, although I was good at writing but had issues with grammar. I don't know where my communication would have made me be diagnosed as either condition before 2013 when the DSM 5 came out.

In my early childhood, I was more of a tomboy, but I did like some typical girl things. I didn’t though like very much female company as I preferred to play with the boys and I found my sister too emotional for me so may be this was a bit different. I was a headstrong child and quite fearless at times. I was probably level 2 or higher even in some areas.

You can learn to adapt and I was diagnosed as an adult with some level 1 and level 2 ‘s.

I am  quite introverted, but I am still headstrong but my story reads different from many here who describe themselves as shy as a girl when growing up.

I wonder when was a good age to born autistic? Is it really so much better now?

I am also nearly 50. I had my ASD assessment three weeks ago and am waiting for the results. I always felt different at school. Other children said I was weird.

I started masking heavily as a teenager (although I didn't have that term for it then) and have done so ever since. Although recently it has got harder to keep it up and I'm now signed off sick from work with stress.

My whole life is starting to make sense now in retrospect. I'm anxious that I won't get the diagnosis as then I still won't have ay explanation for the way I am.

Hi.  I like reading, doing jigsaws, diamond painting, animals (have a family dog), wordsearches, card making, playing with fidgets, cuddly toys, watching YouTube and listening to music. 

indeed, even now my colleagues at work can be so idiotic.

I hear you and know we had similar experences.

Welcome to the club, I was diagnosed 3 years ago and am still adjusting to what it means, I try and focus on a few things at a time and I'll just take each as they come. Ask yourself what does it mean for you........................

ha ha ha, thanks for making me laugh out loud today.

Im 53 got diagnosed 2005 always knew i was different in secondary school 

Hi AnnMarilena, 

I’m 49 like you, I was diagnosed with ASD last year. I have always struggled with social anxiety and have probably always felt different too. I have been struggling with anxiety and depression for some time and a lot of that is to do with feeling that I struggle having conversations with people. If you would like to chat feel free to DM me 

Oh my goodness hiiiiiIm a 1982 baby just got diagnosed with ASD(ADHD last year)so yeah a AuDHD girlie as its now known.Total alien for as long as I can remember but yeah very awesome to finally have a real answer as to why I do and say and think the way I do.Wasnt a shock but needed an actual medical professional to put the stamp on it so I could stop overthinking and putting it down to stress and over imagination(I have a huuuuuge imagination)But yeah,here to embrace all the beautiful parts of me that were stuffed down inside in fear of being mocked annow just wanna say " Helllooooo my ASD people"

I was born in 1970s. I could see the flaws in how my school was managed and frankly pointed them out for improvement. I had the clarify, but not the natural feeling to "tone down the message". Got me in some trouble. It's a trait through my life, with work and relationships. Think I need to use my strengths (can achieve better clarity to improve a situation), but always be mindful to balance it with being more PURE (Political, respectful of Uncertainties, Relationship aware and Emotionally sensitive. It's what the typicals need..Using your superpowers while checking to not over use them, is what worked best for Superman, superwoman and Incredible Hulk! Main thing is to check what you are about to say, write, do around others. Be careful of expressing anything too extreme. Others tend to get offended..

The dreaded 'could do better', of course I could if I'd have had my learning difficulties diagnoses, even the astigmatism in one eye, they were quite capable of finding those and giving corrective lens's, But of course, so much seemed to be discovered or recognised in the few years after I left school, it still seemed very class based and a post code lottery of who could or would be tested and working class girls were at the bottom of the list, as long as we could pop babies out and do housework tat was all that seemed to matter.

That world is almost unrecognisable now, when I tell many younger people what things were like when I was growing up, they either look at me like I'm an historical object or like I'm lying or exagerating. I'm so glad it's different now, that being "shy" isn't seen as socially desirable in girls, that quite rightly people ask questions. I'm glad that a lot of the stigma has gone, no one says 'men don't make passes at girls who wear glasses' anymore, let alone beig treated like an axe murderer if you had a psychological or learning issue.

Me similarly

I was born in the 70s

I was born in the 70s and I've always had a sense that I was the odd one out, in any social environment. I said to a friend once that I felt like an alien when surrounded by people. I'm glad to finally be diagnosed autistic, even though it came in later life for me. Finally I have the words to explain why I felt so different and I can now extend compassion to myself, instead of internalised criticism and hatred. I'm also now able to understand and meet my autistic needs much better than before. 

My school reports were all the same....."not reaching her full potential" and  "could do more." I was naturally academic and had a good memory so was considered bright, able and capable by teachers. My social and emotional needs were completely unseen  and unmet and it was those primarily that held me back as I desperately struggled. 

Hi and welcome to the community!

There are lots of late-diagnosed and late-realised autistic people here, so you're in good company! 

I was born in the sixties, didn't go to pre-school, didn't like school. When I was around 8 years old I remember feeling different from the other children, and wondering if they were actually robots and I was the only real human being.