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Should I get tested?

GrandmaUK

Hi

I am 61 years old, and want to know if I should be tested for Autism. 

For background my grandson was diagnosed with Autism a few years ago, and of course trying to be a good grandma, I tried to find out more about it. I found out it is genetic and some of the traits that can be visible, and it was if a big piece of my life's jigsaw fell into place.

My grandson is fantastic, and we get on very well. He knows he is Autistic and the diagnosis helped him understand how he is more. Here is the rub, I did not even realise that he was different. To me he is just a lovely child, very loving, caring and respectful. 

My daughter thinks I should get tested, she has ADHD, and to be honest it would be good to explain the fact that I was the "weird kid" growing up. 

I have restarted this post so many times as I started to go off on a tangent, trying to explain my social anxiety etc. so I am going to stop now.

I feel strange going to a doctor asking to be tested at my age, and it might turn out that I have some other Neuro Divergency but I think I need to know.

Sorry if my post is all over the place, I find it hard to say in a few words how I am feeling. 

  • in reply to Rebecca Rose

    Thanks, when I look back at my life I see the times when people told me not to do something because it was weird, simple things like obsessive collecting hobbies or bouncing my leg (which I just thought was my nerves as I suffer from anxiety).  Reading some of the posts on here makes me realise I am not the only person to be older to get a diagnosis. I will try to find out how I go about it.

  • You're never too old and it's never too late. Because autism is becoming a lot more recognised now what with autism acceptance week etc loads of people of all ages are being diagnosed which is such a positive thing for the autistic population.

    It's your choice whether you seek a diagnosis or not but in my opinion you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. It might answer a lot of questions for you and bring you comfort but at the end of the day only you can decide what you do.

    GrandmaUK said:
    Sorry if my post is all over the place, I find it hard to say in a few words how I am feeling. 

    Your post was absolutely fine. I also struggle to put things in to words sometimes, you're not alone lol I think we all understand this.