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Newly diagnosed at 51

jaceygood1

Hi everyone. I was late-diagnosed as autistic earlier this year and am still figuring out what that means for me and getting to know myself a bit better with this new information.

I've spent a lot of my life feeling like I'm on the outside looking in. I find social interactions really difficult, and although I've got a few people in my life, I'm struggling with a growing sense of isolation that's come about with age and a lack of energy for what I need to fit in with people. I'm high-masking but that's gotten harder, especially now I'm perimenopausal.

But! I had a post-diagnosis session yesterday and have decided to do the scary thing and try to connect with other autistic people and hopefully find a little more of that sense of belonging. I've got a lot to learn still about autism and what that means for me, so I'd love to hear from others who have been on a similar journey, particularly anyone who's been diagnosed later in life (I'm early 50s).

I'm not always the best at knowing how to start conversations, but I'd genuinely like to get to know people here. So, hello and thanks for reading Slight smile

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  • Hi Jacey,

    Like you, I was diagnosed late, about two months ago, at the age of 69.  And, like you, I have always felt like an outsider, the odd one out in any group.  Having a diagnosis was oddly very difficult at first, given that I had suspected for a few years.  But now, having read quite a bit on the subject and reflected on myself, I am much more relaxed about my autism.  That does not mean you should feel the same, far from it, as I have learnt we are unique in our presentation and we don't all have the same problems.  However, we do have enough in common to support our fellows, and I think you'll find plenty of people here who will happily share and talk.

    Good luck, and remember to take it slowly and be kind to yourself.

  • in reply to Iago

    It was the same for me! I've been on a journey of discovery about neurodiversity for literally years but now being diagnosed, it's all feeling very real and somewhat overwhelming. Thank you for your kind words.

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