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Am I autistic enough

CROSE88

I've recently been late diagnosed as autistic (im 32) after years of wondering and I feel like a fraud. I wanted a formal diagnosis as I just didn't feel 100% sure if I was autistic or not and I wanted a professional to give me a yes or no, but now I've got the diagnosis I don't feel any better. I thought this would put an end to the imposter syndrome but if anything it feels worse - im convinced I managed to lie to and trick my assessor into giving me a diagnosis when I didn't need one. 

Im also now seeng so much of my life with more clarity but there are still parts im struggling with and I don't feel like I am autistic enough - I know I mask well but I feel because my needs are not as debilitating as others I don't deserve the diagnosis.

The irony is I am a mental health professional who specialises in working with Autistic children and young people - I KNOW autism well and understand the psychology around the challenges it can present, but I just don't feel able to apply that to my situation.

Is this normal post diagnosis to feel like a fraud? Does it go away with time? And are there ways to begin accepting that your autism is enough?

Parents

  • Do not compare yourself to other autistic people, there is a huge diversity and many will seem to be more profoundly affected than you. Compare yourself to the diagnostic criteria in the various manuals - DSM or ICD. The more you know about how autism is diagnosed the more insight you will have into your own autism.

    Also, autism isn't an exclusive social club, there are sod all benefits available to the average late-diagnosed autist, so does it matter in the great scheme of things if your diagnosis is valid or not? You are also questioning the competence of the clinician or clinicians who diagnosed you, would you do the same for a dentist who advised the need for a filling? 

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  • Do not compare yourself to other autistic people, there is a huge diversity and many will seem to be more profoundly affected than you. Compare yourself to the diagnostic criteria in the various manuals - DSM or ICD. The more you know about how autism is diagnosed the more insight you will have into your own autism.

    Also, autism isn't an exclusive social club, there are sod all benefits available to the average late-diagnosed autist, so does it matter in the great scheme of things if your diagnosis is valid or not? You are also questioning the competence of the clinician or clinicians who diagnosed you, would you do the same for a dentist who advised the need for a filling? 

Children
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