Late Autism Diagnosis: 4 Things They Don’t Tell You

This insightful video explores four essential tips for late-diagnosed autistic individuals navigating their new autism diagnosis.

Join us as we delve into understanding your identity, embracing your unique strengths, building a supportive community, and accessing resources to thrive. Whether you're newly diagnosed or seeking guidance, this video empowers you with practical advice and empowering insights to confidently navigate your journey as an autistic individual through the lens of autistic lived experience.

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[AuthenticallyMeAuDHD]

Misdiagnosed bipolar at 17 after an attempted unaliving, 30 years later (and 3 years after my grandsons diagnosis) I broke down after the death of my mother and sought help from a psychiatrist who recognized Autism and ADHD immediately and sent me for a formal assessment... I was incredibly lucky to have found competent care that saw what others may not have.

[lisawanderess]

I was misdiagnosed bipolar Ii at 19… spent most of my adult life on mood stabilising meds that never helped and hospitalised several times until my 50s when a psychiatrist assessed me again and said autism was so obvious that she couldn’t believe none of the many mental health professionals I’d previously seen hadn’t suggested it! So many wasted years 😢
I was also diagnosed with aphantasia and Prosopagnosia (face blindness) and a lifetime of confusion finally made sense! The meltdowns in shopping malls had a reason, not just random madness and can now be avoided with sunglasses and sound reducing earplugs (or better still by avoiding malls altogether! 😂)
Getting the right diagnosis, even if it was 30 years too late, has been the best thing that ever happened to me because I can finally accept my quirky self and care less about how others see me.

[csmatthew]

what a timely video, thank you so much for uploading this. The grief of realising you've been autistic all along in adulthood is real, but knowing how to manage those feelings is invaluable information

[kellhalla]

Thank you so much Thomas, being a late dx at 50 y.o ( this year ) you have really validated a lot of things for me, as i have been through these stages. In the last 9 months i have gone from utter shut down to now set up in a life that suits me better. took myself out of the regular work place routine to my own artwork space. It has become a hugely healing experience, i now finally get to be myself.

[magnus]

I'm unemployed and late diagnosed at the age of 24. I feel really bad about myself. Thomas is one of the best autism oriented YouTube channel and it helps me more than all psychologist I met.

[syerye]

Uh I needed this the timing was just right. Thank you

[Nethezbet]

lol...

Common anecdote from late diagnosed adults: "Oh... you don't look autistic..."

All of my friends and family when I self-diagnose: "Yeah, you just figured that out?"

I appreciate videos like these, it is clear that there are more of us than was realized. When it all clicked it took me weeks of mental chaos. All of my personality traits that affected me over the years were categorized and linked and things made sense. I still want to get "officially" diagnosed, but cost is a major factor at this time, though I think it would help me get more assistance at work. Fortunately I have a good boss that has been very supportive and willing to work with me, but who knows what the future holds?

Thanks for making these, I am certain these calm, logical videos have helped many people.

[sksk-bdyv]

After a thousand stamps of disapproval, labeling me everything from A - Z, and medications en masse. It only gave me scars, ptsd and obesity.

I still have a need to make peace.

[justagirlandherdane]

I feel like this is both dark and uplifting at the same time, but incredibly well put. Thank you so much for sharing! 💛✨

[TopM]

Timing of this video couldn't be better Im 40 and was diagnosed 2 day's ago, thank you

[Catherine-hh]

Really appreciate what you do. It is great to hear a really balanced perspective. Testing lots of waters at the moment.

[cameronmcgehee]

Just some feedback...the switching between two cameras is extremely distracting for this style of video, especially since you visibly look at what ever camera it switches to - it's just very unnatural and I don't like watching the video part because I am constantly thinking about when the camera is going to switch...otherwise you make good content.

[dreadpiratelenny]

I just need to know how to get a diagnosis.

[dannydg]

This is such a fantastic video, rammed with amazing content and helpful pointers or signposts for us to work on or understand.

Only trouble is that for some reason I'm finding parts of it hard to absorb or digest, perhaps because certain sections or sentences seem so 'dense' with information and substantial ideas and concepts that I can't connect with parts of it. I could solve this problem by watching it piece by piece, breaking it down, and taking notes in my own words. I feel the content and advice is so important and relevant and potentially life changing or enhancing that it would be worth doing this.

Admittedly each time I've tried to watch the video so far I have been at least slightly stoned, so I should probably just try watching and listening with a clear head first (what a dafty I am, but I've only just discovered how much weed helps me with stress, anxiety, social anxiety, social and emotional intelligence, on the day after use, so I'm still highly motivated to partake of a little green in the evenings).

Either option of taking notes or watching with a clear head will be well worth it. I've been about 2 years post diagnosis in my early 50s and while I have been deep down the Autism informational rabbit hole, I have not done some of the important 'inner work' or self improvement or growth etc, that Thomas is talking about here. And that would probably help a great deal.

Thank you Thomas for being here, and for doing such a great job at what you do.

[williambienz]

Thank you for the video. I might disagree with some of the sensory explanation. My understanding is it is not only how our brain interprets sensory input, but slso an inability to turn the sensory input off-- like the sensation of clothing on tour body. Most people's body will turn that sensation off after a while. Also, for me at least, I do beleive some of my senses are enhanced or higher than normal. I for certain can smell and taste things many people cannot.
As I try to understand it, I think it is all of the above.

[jedimasterham]

I think most providers have a propensity towards misdiagnosis. Most simply misunderstand what autism is thanks to 1) lack of proper education, and 2) lack of critical thinking, and they rule out the obvious (ie. autism) as something else that it’s not.

For instance, most mental health professionals would immediately jump to thinking one has bipolar or schizophrenia because of (1) and (2).

Further, schools often teach outdated views of autism, or rush through autism education, and students never learn enough about it.

[dukenukem]

You have great vids, but if you structured them more and they were in 15-20 minute range they will be much more watchable. Have great day!

[astrophe-cat]

The frequent changes in camera angles - often mid sentence - irritate me a quite bit. At least for me, it distracts a lot. Anybody else feeling the same?