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

AnnMarilena

I'm almost 50 years old, and I've always felt I was different. Even in preschool, at the age of three, I felt it clearly. But it wasn't a problem for me. I functioned very well. I asked my mother why the children at preschool were different from me. She didn't understand my questions. So I decided she was different too. As if it were natural that most people are different from me, although I don't know why. But I never wanted to be like those others, even at three or four years old. In a sense, I felt they were a separate species, even though they looked the same. To simplify a bit – like a dog and a cat. Both species, in a simplified description, have the same physical characteristics: fur, four legs, a tail, ears... But they're different species. And that's normal. That's how I felt in preschool. After that, it was different.

  • Hi, I was born in the 1960’s, I knew I wasn’t the same as the other children, labelled as shy and a loner. Pre school was my first introduction to other children, I felt like ‘The Ugly Duckling,’ it takes professionals a long time to decide you are different, the other children decide almost immediately.
    It wasn’t until my fifties that I realised I’m autistic and eventually diagnosed as so.

    I view the world now knowing I’m different and am able to make adjustments that make my world a bit easier. The world thinks there has been an explosion of autism diagnosis, in truth we know our generations had no understanding of autism or access to help.

  • Born in the 80s and school was tough all the way.

    Teachers thought I had learning difficulties but never told me. Got pushed out of middle school, passed a hard exam for a convent school that’s now closed, then ended up in a special needs school where I was bullied.

    Work was hard, homework due next day, singled out for stuff like changing for PE at lunch. French before History meant all my notes came out in French.

    College was maths, English, ICT, plus tasters like first aid and tourism, then an ICT foundation. Had 3 years entitlement, only did 2, then no support.

    Did Prince’s Trust and a training college after, living away from home for the first time. Still got bullied by a tutor 

    Old training college is a retirement village now.

    First school turned into social housing 

    Middle school retirement housing and affordable housing. 

    *Main thing I missed was proper support to do what I actually wanted.*

  • Born in the 1960s. The shock of starting infant school resulted in me being selectively mute at school for three months. My ability to cope with so many other children, who were bafflingly unpredictable and not always benign, was obviously greatly exceeded. I think it was my artistic ability that eventually allowed me a measure of social acceptance. Other kids would ask me to draw them something - a tiger or whatever - I would oblige and they seemed happy with the result.

  • I was born in the 60's, I didn't go to preschool, but I hated primary school, I remember feeling so overwhelmed and different, then trying desperately to fit in and never quite managing.

  • I was born in late 80's. I felt similar in pre school. I was sure, there is noone like me in this world. I was always different and loner. It hurt a lot. I always wanted to be like others. Maybe it's because I was criticised a lot. I'm not officially diagnosed,  only suspected. 

  • I always knew there was something off about me.  I was bright but weird.  i couldn't understand why my peers seemed so immature.

  • I'm now late 50's. I always said it was like being on the outside looking in and couldnt explain why I didnt/couldnt experience things the same as apparently others appeared to.

    Likewise was seen as bright and generally middle or top set, but come exams I totally lost it with grades far below my work. I struggled with work off the board, just assumed with my eyes, and totally useless at dictation- which was heavy in my secondary/senior years. Useless really at PE/Games- wasnt for me. Enjoyed Art and also Maths once the logic clicked.