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 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.

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.

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.