• Replies 10 replies
  • Subscribers 72 subscribers
  • Views 192 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Buenas dias

Iago

Or, good day!

I am a recently diagnosed level 1 autistic British man, 69 years old, retired, and living in southern Spain in a very rural community away from the madding crowds.

Until a few years ago, autism was something other people had.  Me?  I am just slightly weird!  But, but, but.....  I'd served in the military, worked in electronics, and specialised in security systems.  Ran my own business and eventually ended up working in an approvals laboratory before taking early retirement.  During all of that, I managed to get married, divorced, and married again.  At the age of 56, I even managed to acquire a master's degree!!  So, no, I never felt that I had any sort of definable problem, just that I did not fit in.  Perhaps I should have paid more attention, as my life and career path were certainly not 'normal', and I am aware that using the word normal is fraught.

So here we are, diagnosed and getting to grips with what that means.  For the last few weeks, I have been slowly learning more about autism and me, and I know that that journey still has a long way to run.

Parents

  • Hi Lago  

    Thanks for sharing your story.

    Your story is similar to mine, although not the same jobs!!

    I also felt a bit weird, not fitting in.  When I was about 30 years old someone said to me, 'you know, not everyone thinks like you do' - I was shocked by that statement. Made me feel even weirder!  I didn't know I thought differently to others!    I thought I was ok, just a bit odd.

    Anyway a good few decades later, someone announces 'you present as having Autism'. I am embarrassed to say I did not even know what that was.  So, after a discussion about it, my life suddenly made perfect sense, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.  But, need to deal with having Autism and what that actually means for me.

    Under a year later (2026), my Dr says 'I think you have Adhd'.

    Whaaaat!

    So there I was thinking I was one kind of person to finding out I am someone completely different, leaving me with the thought of who on earth am I. Very confusing!   On pathway for both, awaiting official diagnosis. Hopefully I will get to grips with it too.

    I wish you all the best on your journey!

Reply

  • Hi Lago  

    Thanks for sharing your story.

    Your story is similar to mine, although not the same jobs!!

    I also felt a bit weird, not fitting in.  When I was about 30 years old someone said to me, 'you know, not everyone thinks like you do' - I was shocked by that statement. Made me feel even weirder!  I didn't know I thought differently to others!    I thought I was ok, just a bit odd.

    Anyway a good few decades later, someone announces 'you present as having Autism'. I am embarrassed to say I did not even know what that was.  So, after a discussion about it, my life suddenly made perfect sense, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.  But, need to deal with having Autism and what that actually means for me.

    Under a year later (2026), my Dr says 'I think you have Adhd'.

    Whaaaat!

    So there I was thinking I was one kind of person to finding out I am someone completely different, leaving me with the thought of who on earth am I. Very confusing!   On pathway for both, awaiting official diagnosis. Hopefully I will get to grips with it too.

    I wish you all the best on your journey!

Children
No Data