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Hi all

AbRico

Hi everyone. I’m really glad to have found this community. I’m not diagnosed yet (I’m on the NHS waiting list), but I’m fairly sure I’m autistic.

I struggle a lot with communication, especially conversation — small talk and back‑and‑forth exchanges are really hard for me. My executive functioning isn’t great either: multitasking is challenging, and I get overwhelmed when I have more than a few things to manage at once. I tend to have good attention to detail, but I find it difficult to see the “bigger picture.” I’ve also been anxious for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been having more frequent depressive episodes. From what I’ve read recently, these episodes seem very similar to autistic burnout.

I’m 45, and I only started exploring autism about two years ago after a therapist suggested it. At first I was excited — it felt like I finally had an explanation for all the things that seemed “different” about me, and I hoped to meet people who functioned in a similar way. But I quickly realised how diverse autistic experiences are. Sometimes I feel just as different from other autistic people as I do from neurotypical people. It’s fascinating and frustrating at the same time. I wonder if anyone else has felt this way.

Anyway, it’s nice to meet you all.

  • Hi, welcome to the community. I'm also not formally diagnosed, I'm in the middle of my diagnostic process. I understand your feelings. For me it was first shock and meltdown,  then disbelief,  then excitement,  then imposter. Now my emotions are much cooler about all this. Sometimes I feel like I can't be autistic,  because my experience is totally different than someone else's. But then I find someone who's experience is very similar to mine. It's validating. Anyway, welcome to the community I hope you find like minded people here and enjoy being part of the community 

  • I'm recently diagnosed after wondering for a few years and I'm surprised by how different we are. As social difficulties are central to autism, we will all experience these, although to different degrees, although we can be very different about senory issues Our special interests are different, as is our ability to form and retain relationships. All different, but all the same in that we have those dratted problems with communication and processing, to varying degrees. 

    I hope you'll find this a community that enables you to explore our similarities and differences. Welcome!

  • Welcome to the forum, AbRico.

    I was told it was autistic burnout as well, and diagnosed later on. Sadly, the waiting time is long, but varies with each region.

    Occasionally, I feel I can see some big picture, just not the big picture (that most have); or if needed to describe a scene, I may look at other areas than NTs.  

  • Hi, 

    So pleased you have found the forum. I only joined this year after my diagnosis. I realised, quite quickly, that people on this forum are generally quite different to me.

    However, I do find they function in many similar ways to me. I can relate to them much more than to neurotypical people as there is none of the invisible glue that binds neurotypical people and which has puzzled my for 70+ years. Here, communication is clear, more objective than subjective, there is no expectation that people should respond but responses are usually thoughtful, genuine and considered but varied.  

    I enjoy my visits and hope you will too.