Published on 12, July, 2020
I was diagnosed with Autism in July, aged 39, and though this diagnosis has been a relief, and has helped me better understand myself and my struggles since childhood, I have shared this news with only a very small number of people. I have not told my parents, and I have only told one of my friends. Only my husband and my brother knew I was being assessed, and so the news is likely to be a surprise for everyone else. I would like to share this information more widely, but I am worried about how people will react, and whether or not the information will be helpful or harmful to our relationships/friendships, and how they see me. In some cases such as with my parents, I am worried about them being dismissive of the diagnosis. Sharing news of a diagnosis of something like Autism is also not an easy thing to bring up in every day conversation, and so though I have planed to mention it on a number of occasions, I have just not felt able to.
It would be really helpful to hear any advice or experience of overcome similar worries or mental barriers to sharing the news of an Autism diagnosis.
Congratulations regarding the diagnosis. I was clinically diagnosed when I was 60 and was greatly relieved as well to finally know why I was the way I was.
When I mentioned my diagnosis to one of my cousins, he grunted and said, "I've known this for years." I wish he had said something much earlier in my life because I would have sought a diagnosis and I might have made some different career decisions.
Since I was still on speaking terms with my father, I told him via email. My father's only reply was to say that he had always known that I was different but hadn't known why.
I also told my employer. I was teaching at the time. I used my disability to leverage workplace related accommodations. I'm American and autism has legal protections under the ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act.