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Hello all

JennyB

Hello all, im Jenny - introducing myself :)

 I was diagnosed with autism in November 2025 and later in life - im in my 40s. Its a relief to finally know and understand challenges ive had all my life with this new lens. I have an 'internalised presentation' though its exhausting to keep it so internal and harder to as I get older! Im keen to let my autism traits break free more -though nervous about this and how it may impact my closest connections. I recently listened to Katherine Mays audio book 'The electricity of every living thing'  and found it a great comfort as I relate to much of her experience. Has anyone else read/ listened to this book?

A bit more about me:

Im a mother to a teen and work as a self-employed gardener (plants are a special interest). I went to art school as a young adult and continue to enjoy creative self expression. Currently; I enjoy creative writing - often writing and reading poetry or creative non-fiction, sometimes fiction. I love music too.

I would most like to connect with other later diagnosed folk - especially mothers and /or creative souls. I dont know any diagnosed autistic women IRL (though one or 2 friends are questioning it) Thank you for reading all this! Looking forward to connecting.

Please say hi Slight smile

Parents

  • Hey JennyB and welcome! Fellow creative here Wave it’s good to have you! I am a late diagnosed autistic woman, and I absolutely love making art and also writing! There is a thread on here where people share their creative projects if that is ever something you’d like to do Slight smile

    It’s so cool that your special interest is also your job! I’d love to know more about your favourite plant/s 

  • in reply to _Poetchi

    Hello _Poetchi - thank you for this friendly response Slight smile

    As Poet is in your name - im wondering if you write poetry? Please tell me more about what you create and have you shared work on the thread you mention? Thank you for letting me know about that - I may well. I tend to write poetry and so Im hoping my autistic experience will surface into it - its hasnt yet as Im still very much in the processing stage!

    Gosh - my fave plant - i probably have one or 2 in all categories! In the uk i just love roses and many herbacious perennials. Ive always been fond of Astrantia major with its paper-like petals. Strelitzia is wonderful - bird of paradise plant.

    Do you like plants too? 

Reply
  • in reply to _Poetchi

    Hello _Poetchi - thank you for this friendly response Slight smile

    As Poet is in your name - im wondering if you write poetry? Please tell me more about what you create and have you shared work on the thread you mention? Thank you for letting me know about that - I may well. I tend to write poetry and so Im hoping my autistic experience will surface into it - its hasnt yet as Im still very much in the processing stage!

    Gosh - my fave plant - i probably have one or 2 in all categories! In the uk i just love roses and many herbacious perennials. Ive always been fond of Astrantia major with its paper-like petals. Strelitzia is wonderful - bird of paradise plant.

    Do you like plants too? 

Children
  • in reply to _Poetchi

    Thats great - seems we are at a similar stage with our processing journey in terms of being creative with or about it. I look forward to reading or hearing your work one day. I just had a go this afternoon at writing about the experience of being given the diagnosis - watch this space. Maybe i will share it at somepoint in a thread. 

    Wow - you can eat the leaves too, i didnt know that though i did know about the pods sometimes called 'poor-man's' capers! I love learning about plant uses and also their stories in history or even their symbolic/folklore meanings - its a great way to help remember their names for taking horticulture exams!

    Please let me know if you share your work Slight smile 

  • in reply to JennyB

    I do write poetry! That is so cool to know you write poetry too- I am still very much in the processing phase of my diagnosis too, but I have had a few little bits of inspiration that hit me now and again, and I am hoping to channel that more into my writing now that I understand my brain a bit better. 

    We grow a lot of plants and vegetables in our garden at work, and I would say my favourite that we have grown is Nasturtiums. They are really lovely to look at and also the leaves make amazing pesto! The seed pods can also be pickled and it’s really delicious! I don’t know a lot about plants, but I appreciate them for their healing properties as well as their beauty. 

    You’ve inspired me to also post something on the creative forum as I haven’t done so yet! It’s been really lovely to see what other people have created. I’d love to know more about your writing Slight smile