• Replies 19 replies
  • Subscribers 12 subscribers
  • Views 840 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

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

  • Hi and welcome to the community.

    Imposter syndrome is very common in adults who discover they are on the spectrum, whether formally diagnosed or self discovered like me.

    I was in my fifties when I saw a tv programme on autism featuring an autistic woman who I realised had traits very much like me, and I then found the AQ50 test online and scored 42/50, which was a big shock.

    The thing is, what goes on inside our heads is "normal" to us, and after years of fitting in it can be difficult for us to accept that we really are different to most other people.

    This forum helped me a lot - I saw posts by other people that I could relate to, and it helped me feel part of a community for the first time in my life. I hope it helps you.

Reply

  • Hi and welcome to the community.

    Imposter syndrome is very common in adults who discover they are on the spectrum, whether formally diagnosed or self discovered like me.

    I was in my fifties when I saw a tv programme on autism featuring an autistic woman who I realised had traits very much like me, and I then found the AQ50 test online and scored 42/50, which was a big shock.

    The thing is, what goes on inside our heads is "normal" to us, and after years of fitting in it can be difficult for us to accept that we really are different to most other people.

    This forum helped me a lot - I saw posts by other people that I could relate to, and it helped me feel part of a community for the first time in my life. I hope it helps you.

Children
No Data