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Experiences of those who lived without diagnosis for some time

pietro_21

Hi :) I only recently had a formal diagnosis. It felt very liberating in terms of my identity, Lots of things started to make sense very quickly. I wanted to understand the experiences of other people with autism, as I am at this difficult crossroads where who I reveal this too is a bit of a minefield. To me it doesn't change anything but I feel like it might affect my career or relationships. Other peoples lack of understanding or willingness to engage with me is what worries me the most, as its kind of what I have been dealing with the first 45 years of my life up until now. Trying to sustain a job with all of the added difficulties, whilst having to feel somewhat inadequate internally for these, is ridiculous. Don't feel obliged to share anything personal, but your experiences and tips would be welcome as the last few weeks have been a bit of an emotional rollercoster.

Parents

  • As with most other things I was out about my diagnosis as soon as I had it, I wasn't working due to other health conditions, so employers weren't an issue for me.

    I can't be anything other than authentically me and I think hiding an autism diagnosis would be as damaging to me mentally as it was not knowing what was wrong, why I was so awkward, clumsy, socially inept and all the other things that make life difficult for ND's. It dosen't stop me being an intelligent, mostly kind (I hope), funny and generous person, if people can't handle that then I don't want them in my life, they're a drain and vexatious to my spirit.

    The thing to remember is you're exactly the same person as you were prediagnosis with the same skills, interests, like and dislikes. I think us Latelings (those who were diagnosed later in life), need to push back against a society that pigeon holes to easily, we need to make others see this is a positive an extra to our lives not a negative ball and chain.

Reply

  • As with most other things I was out about my diagnosis as soon as I had it, I wasn't working due to other health conditions, so employers weren't an issue for me.

    I can't be anything other than authentically me and I think hiding an autism diagnosis would be as damaging to me mentally as it was not knowing what was wrong, why I was so awkward, clumsy, socially inept and all the other things that make life difficult for ND's. It dosen't stop me being an intelligent, mostly kind (I hope), funny and generous person, if people can't handle that then I don't want them in my life, they're a drain and vexatious to my spirit.

    The thing to remember is you're exactly the same person as you were prediagnosis with the same skills, interests, like and dislikes. I think us Latelings (those who were diagnosed later in life), need to push back against a society that pigeon holes to easily, we need to make others see this is a positive an extra to our lives not a negative ball and chain.

Children