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Hi ! Is being diagnosis worth it as an adult?

Jabberwocky

Hello,

I'm 30yrs old and I'm pretty sure I've been on the spectrum since I was 18 when I first found out about it (I'm dyslexic and eye contact made my eyes water uncontrollably among other things). The problem is I'm not sure if being diagnosed is worth it? I've grown accustom to my masking and I'm generally uncomfortable but I don't understand what the benefits of being diagnosed would bring to me? I'm also worried about people finding out I'm REALLY different instead of just being odd. I'm not sure if this diagnosis would reflect poorly on me or make my life difficult?

What as this been like for you?

Parents

  • It's an interesting journey. 

    I had mine done a couple of years back just before the pandemic.  I literally got my diagnosis a month before we went into lockdown.  Through the next few months I really struggled and all evidence points towards my life being a complete failure and general fkup, which is mostly down to my autism.  I then spent some months considering ending it.  Then I decided not to, but thought I should just embrace being bloody-minded and selfish and generally myself.  I went to college and did a course I was interested in doing and maybe getting a job in.  I haven't finished it yet.  Health problems have complicated things.  That brings me to here.

    If you go into it expecting a miracle you will be disappointed.  it doesn't change anything besides offering you a little more help throughout your life.  Your employer can no longer bully you and has to make your work life more suited to your condition.  If you are unable to work, you can probably get PIP and ESA.  I don't think blue badge or motability is possible, though.

    I don't actively hide my diagnosis, but not many people outside my family know of it.  The people I tend to hang with are also ND.  As an ND I seem to always find people who are also ND and I can talk to them easily as we are all on a similar wavelength.

    Saying that I was supposed to be on a waiting list for an understanding autism course run by my local NHS Autism hub, which I have apparently been removed from.  I was looking forward to going to it and meeting other people.

    My advice is do it.  It's an interesting journey of self discovery.  But it's not like getting a degree.

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  • It's an interesting journey. 

    I had mine done a couple of years back just before the pandemic.  I literally got my diagnosis a month before we went into lockdown.  Through the next few months I really struggled and all evidence points towards my life being a complete failure and general fkup, which is mostly down to my autism.  I then spent some months considering ending it.  Then I decided not to, but thought I should just embrace being bloody-minded and selfish and generally myself.  I went to college and did a course I was interested in doing and maybe getting a job in.  I haven't finished it yet.  Health problems have complicated things.  That brings me to here.

    If you go into it expecting a miracle you will be disappointed.  it doesn't change anything besides offering you a little more help throughout your life.  Your employer can no longer bully you and has to make your work life more suited to your condition.  If you are unable to work, you can probably get PIP and ESA.  I don't think blue badge or motability is possible, though.

    I don't actively hide my diagnosis, but not many people outside my family know of it.  The people I tend to hang with are also ND.  As an ND I seem to always find people who are also ND and I can talk to them easily as we are all on a similar wavelength.

    Saying that I was supposed to be on a waiting list for an understanding autism course run by my local NHS Autism hub, which I have apparently been removed from.  I was looking forward to going to it and meeting other people.

    My advice is do it.  It's an interesting journey of self discovery.  But it's not like getting a degree.

Children
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