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Diagnosed at 41

NewuserAR220726

Hi,

I’ve been recently diagnosed as autistic at the age of 41 and I am struggling. I’m in this awkward phase of wanting to drop my mask and live authentically as myself but I am having trouble letting go of my old habits.  I worry that I am going through skill regression and losing some of the ability that I had before, and, because I tend to view my self-worth through the value that I bring to others – especially at work – I am going through something of a crisis of confidence.

Does anyone have recommendations for any resources that might be available – books, websites, podcasts, youtube pages etc – for any help with late-diagnosis anxiety?

Thanks in advance.

Happy to be here!

Andrew

Parents

  • Hi Andrew, 

    Great News about your assessment. I cannot provide any literature but the following is how I am at 5 months post-assessment. The following is only my take on it.

    It has been quite an unsettled time as I discover the significance of my assessment. 

    I am beyond working age and have very few relatives who I do not readily stay in touch with. My partner was involved in my assessment process and that was important. There has been a degree of shift in our relationship as I discover and gently (and not so gently) assert my new needs - as measured wth my autism ruler!  All this against my partner's needs as someone with diagnosed ADHD.

    I never thought an assessment would be earth shattering. For me, it was more of a landslip rather than an earthquake i.e. disturbing but not destructive.  The real positive is the feeling of well-being and completeness that comes from answering the question "Who am I really and how did I get here." So all rather existential.

    Somethings have certainly changed radically others have not; some things are no longer as important and other things are even more important. I don't want to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" at the moment when I am not really sure which is which!

     

      

        

       

Reply

  • Hi Andrew, 

    Great News about your assessment. I cannot provide any literature but the following is how I am at 5 months post-assessment. The following is only my take on it.

    It has been quite an unsettled time as I discover the significance of my assessment. 

    I am beyond working age and have very few relatives who I do not readily stay in touch with. My partner was involved in my assessment process and that was important. There has been a degree of shift in our relationship as I discover and gently (and not so gently) assert my new needs - as measured wth my autism ruler!  All this against my partner's needs as someone with diagnosed ADHD.

    I never thought an assessment would be earth shattering. For me, it was more of a landslip rather than an earthquake i.e. disturbing but not destructive.  The real positive is the feeling of well-being and completeness that comes from answering the question "Who am I really and how did I get here." So all rather existential.

    Somethings have certainly changed radically others have not; some things are no longer as important and other things are even more important. I don't want to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" at the moment when I am not really sure which is which!

     

      

        

       

Children
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