Four Things After A Late Autism Diagnosis

Four things after a late autism diagnosis that might happen.
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[myowncelestial]

I wish everyone would reject the notion that they are too old to enjoy anything that they use to do as a kid. I think it's damaging. My husband is 39 years old and he still enjoys collecting Pokemon cards and playing the Pokemon games. He doesn't care who knows. Ain't nothing wrong with it. I'm in my late thirties and still sleep with a care bear I have had since I was six years old.

[ShoutItFromTheHousetops]

I'm 67 yrs old and have just come to this realization through self-diagnosis. Having completed at least 5 clinical tests each one was a definitive result...99% Autism. Yesiree. So now I'm in the research, relief and sadness stage of all the lost years and opportunities to learn about myself and most importantly, love my colorful and creative self. BTW, you spoke every word and thought that has come to me and out of me since last Thursday 1/18/24. Tears now come as I recall the moment I realized this was the new me...actually the "always me" just discovered. Thank you for being here. HEART.

[manupetermann]

I was diagnosed with Asperger's when I was 33 years old and actually I do all four of the things you mentioned.
It made me think a lot.
On one hand, I'm a bit sad because of all the trouble it caused me when I was younger, I used to hate myself so much because I was different and didn't fit in, no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much energy I put into masking and pretending to be "normal". I'm alienated to my family and most people from my past, because I felt so missunderstood by them, felt so rejected all the time. My life could have been so much easier if someone just cared, if I just knew earlier what's the matter with me.
On the other hand, it really helped me to embrace myself more. I don't need to pretend to be someone else. Some of my autistic traits I don't even see as weakness anymore, instead, some of my autistic traits make me even better at doing certain stuff.

[melaniewantsabeer]

50 and finally accepting myself for who I am. Wearing my Eddie Munson shirt and vans high top with a weird octopus on them. Bright red hair in a small town. Couldn't be happier I must say.

[Weemwah]

5. No one will help you with it, because there's literally no behavioral therapists who want to help nuerodivergent people in my area. They literally gave me my diagnosis and were like, "f-off, we have no behavioralists available for adults". Not to mention I still mask hard-core and still get down when people judge me for being too intense.

[koffinkat]

TBH I miss when I played with toys as a kid, I could create places in my head and have fun for hours....Then I grew up but I stopped playing with toys really late like teens.

[Nunya]

People that come to my home discover that I have fidget toys. I set them out for their kids. I will go play at the park while kids are busy at school. I'm trying to embrace my fun, playful side and ignore what others think. It's not easy.

[MyASDJourney]

Sort of a # 5 - you will discover your gifts. This is maybe part of re-discovering your passions... Those special interests you were discoraged from pursuing and developing were the gifts you were meant to share with the world and make it a better place! Its never too late to follow your dreams ! Thank you PE! When are we going to have an international "home comming" of late diagnosed aspies? :)

[royyoung]

Oh so true! Diagnosed at 68 and looking back it makes sense now! Best part is knowing I wasn’t an alien 👽 I’m not alone!

[pinkmagicali]

What no one told me was the anger and grief for opportunities lost. But also the doubt. For me thats been the hardest part. The part of me that goes "it might be wrong, I was fine for ages"...forgetting of course that not being fine was what made me seek a diagnosis in the first place.

[jessicab]

I haven’t gotten my diagnosis yet, I’ve reached out to set up an assessment. I think I’m both autistic & ADHD. I’ve been doing my researching, reading books and have never related to so much in my entire life, I’ve already had to start reframing my life because I’ve never felt so understood. The first few days after researching wasn’t great at all as I’m also recovering from burnout- my meltdowns were intense. I realised I may be autistic because my mask was becoming unbearable, and I continuously felt like I was searching for myself- that was my special interest. Using psychology, sociology and spirituality to look for who I truly was and fit in with society because I was always too "weird" or "quiet" or "intense" or "awkward" or "rude". I can’t bear masking anymore, it leaves me depends on those outside of me to determining who I am and how I should behave.

I didn’t realise subconsciously I was searching for my autistic/ adhd self because I thought my mask was me. This video is really helpful because I felt like I had to wait to for an official diagnosis but a part of me so heavily wants to stop masking, and living a neurotypical life- it keeps leading to burnout and plenty meltdowns when I’m at home alone. I don’t know whether anyone experienced this whilst exploring whether they’re autistic or adhd- but I felt understood for like a week then upset because I realised I’ve just added another reason why I won’t fit in, especially with my family, I already disagree with my family and I need a lot of room to recover. My family is always upset I don’t visit more often but it’s because masking is draining, and I go mute when I experience sensory overload so I just stay home. My dad always complains about why I and my twin sister turned out so different, and why we always challenge them & their parenting. And now I may be adding autism & ADHD to the mix, I’m not looking forward to that conversation but I’m excited to go back to teenage self’s hobbies- like art and writing music. I’m going to be learning bass soon 😅

[nanookmoose]

Recently had the lightbulb moment with my CBT therapist when I said I stopped tolerating wearing my wedding ring 25 yrs into a 33yr marriage! That was the key to unlocking my Autism diagnosis. It's so liberating! Thanks for your lovely words, from someone whose world is still spinning.

[jerichoburg]

Discovered I had ADHD and autism at the age of 54 when I was getting my teen diagnosed as well. This really hit home. The self-discovery I've been doing has been transformational. Even so, I'm only really myself around my kid. Masking for so many years, especially without knowing that's what it was, has taken a toll, but I don't really know how to not do it.

[nhenderson]

Thank you for the positive words of encouragement. I am really look forward to discovering me. 42, mid assessment.

[jasonlefebvre]

Thanks girl. Needed that. 37 self diagnosed. Thanks to my babies I've been able to start being me

[mxash]

Feeling proud and hopeful after this video. I’ve carried around my Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal around home for the past few years. Started to feel more comfortable taking a stuffed animal out with me about town. I feel much less social anxiety holding one…plus it doubles as a fidget toy during boring small talk.

[deborahlee]

Accurate and succinct. My experience entirely, dx at 59 only 5 months ago. 🥰

[stupidsminkle]

I'm currently having an almost like identity crisis. I feel like I have so many 'versions' of myself I don't even know what's me!

[EricasGlitchyLife]

As a newly diagnosed AuDHD female, age 40. THANK YOU for what you do with your platform!

[juanitaskerrett]

Thank you so much PE! Your words help to release so much tension from my body.
I was diagnosed at 69 yo and I’m now 71. What a trip I’ve been on since then emerging from my dark hole.