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figuring out who i am

HMN

hi everyone! I was diagnosed with autism last week and am still navigating what that means for me and how it will affect my life from now on. 

if anyone has had any autism-related experiences (like certain behaviours or actions of yours happened because you are autistic) that they wouldn't mind sharing, I really would appreciate it. I'm going through the process of putting a name to the experiences I've had throughout my life and slowly realising that many things I considered to be 'weird' about myself (such as sensory overload) were actually autistic traits!

I'm also trying to figure out how to non-awkwardly (and hopefully not very anxiety-ridden) tell my friends about my diagnosis. I don't want them to think of or treat me differently but I do want them to know at some point.

any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated :D 

have a lovely day!

Parents

  • Hi HMN, 

    Congratulations upon your very recent assessment. 

    I was assessed earlier this year and only my partner, my doctor and the National Health Service know. So, on a need-to-know basis.

    Personally I have been no hurry to tell anyone else. I suppose this is for a few reasons:

    Firstly, you can never tell quite what attitude/stance anyone has about autism, even family.
    Secondly, I can well imagine certain people saying something like "Oh, I have known that for ages" possibly with "but I didn't like to say anything" - which would really annoy me. 
    Finally, whilst I do generally go along with what most qualified autism experts say, I am still not at all convinced that "autism unmasking is the right thing to do".

    I am an elderly person, so any unmasking is not that important and I have coped with masking all my life, if badly. 

    If I was you, which I am not, I would just take your time – the time will cost nothing!

    Best wishes,
    Oscar  

Reply

  • Hi HMN, 

    Congratulations upon your very recent assessment. 

    I was assessed earlier this year and only my partner, my doctor and the National Health Service know. So, on a need-to-know basis.

    Personally I have been no hurry to tell anyone else. I suppose this is for a few reasons:

    Firstly, you can never tell quite what attitude/stance anyone has about autism, even family.
    Secondly, I can well imagine certain people saying something like "Oh, I have known that for ages" possibly with "but I didn't like to say anything" - which would really annoy me. 
    Finally, whilst I do generally go along with what most qualified autism experts say, I am still not at all convinced that "autism unmasking is the right thing to do".

    I am an elderly person, so any unmasking is not that important and I have coped with masking all my life, if badly. 

    If I was you, which I am not, I would just take your time – the time will cost nothing!

    Best wishes,
    Oscar  

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