Hi all

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.

Parents
  • 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. 

Reply
  • 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. 

Children
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