Embracing my autism diagnosis unlocked my creative potential #latediagnosedautism #momonthespectrum

[kathyb]

I realized at the age of 40 that I was on the spectrum. It has taken until I was 55 to unmask and accept my differences. It's a process. It's learning and growth. It's liberating.

[AJB_twoleftwings]

I always wondered why I couldn’t be “normal”… but I found out about autism and my parents don’t understand why I am so excited. They think I’m obsessed with learning more about autism because i am letting it “define who I am” in a negative way.. but really it’s because I feel the same way you do. I feel like for the first time in my life I can stop wondering and start solving. I can build coping mechanisms that fit my brain instead of recycling neurotypical ones. I can understand why i struggled growing up with things that nobody else did. It’s liberating. I have been wishing I could explain to my parents how this feels, but I don’t think they understand what I’ve been saying. I’m going to try showing them this video, because it explains it fairly well. Thank you! ❤

[melliebear]

Spent 36 years thinking something wrong with me. Nope I’m autistic. The year since I’ve been diagnosed has been one of the happiest of my entire adult life.

[ayshajohnston]

I was officially diagnosed yesterday after years of Mis diagnoses and wondering why I always felt things so intensely. Now I finally see a future for myself

[dwightmcmillan]

47, late DX'd at 38. Now that I know... my whole experience in life has changed. Things have gotten so much easier simply because I now understand.

[YAWSSSSSS]

This is why proper diagnosis by a medical professional can be so liberating. It finally allows you to rationalize and begin to move forward instead of feeling stuck in life.

[starvibes]

I literally feel exactly the same way.

[DeepConnectionswithAndee]

“Now all that space is free to be creative!” 👏👏🙌

[platypus]

Ever since my late diagnosis I made up my mind that art is my path to now tattooing.

[katyalambo]

This is me. I highly suspect I am autistic but have yet to get a diagnosis. I have a lot of traits that fit with ASD and ADHD, but also things like BPD. Not knowing the reason why I am the way I am takes up so much mental space and even though I recognize that getting a diagnosis won’t really change anything I feel paralyzed by the uncertainty. I hope to one day get to where you are, regardless of what my diagnosis is because I miss the fun, creative and curious person I used to be

[courtneyharper]

Thank you... I was struggling with whether to seek a diagnosis or not. I brought it up to my FNP and was basically told it's completely over diagnosed and may be the case for me but as an adult, it doesn't change anything.

Thankfully I didn't stop there... I decided to try to bring it up one more time - this time with my therapist (who had previously disclosed that she is AuDHD). She corrected this by saying that while there are no *medical* interventions, a diagnosis absolutely can still change everything as an adult. This is exactly what she was getting at and you explain it so well! Much appreciated.

[spooky]

Diagnosis is super expensive and difficult, but I hate not knowing for sure. Sometimes I’ll have problems with PDA or executive function issues and I always go back to calling myself “lazy”. I feel like it would be so validating to know that a professional agrees that I’m not lazy, I’m just trying my best and it’s not always as easy for me.

[stephaniegilbert]

So thankful for you, Taylor! I'm just now learning that I am autistic and I'm so thankful to have found your page. You're reading my mind. I've done so much crying this week from all the emotions of learning this about myself.

[fleurmal]

I'm not ASD but I got diagnosed ADHD this year and I had similar experience. Spent my whole life an anxious mess because I knew something was different and I could barely keep up with others. Now I actually can relax and my struggles have solutions rather than being a constant shameful mystery.

[pmurtaConTom]

I've lost count of the number of times people have asked me, "What's wrong with you?" and all I could reply was, "I'm not normal."

[scantyalien]

Yes! It's such freedom to know and be able to let go of the things I'd always thought I needed to do and needed to be. I am beginning to learn to think for myself and consider what I want and what makes me happy and fulfilled.

[sayusayme]

Thank you, so much to take in still. Wonderful place to learn.

[vslifeofcycles]

I know I'm Autistic now (less than a year, self-diagnosed, but I still struggle with intrusive thoughts, especially at work. I work as a support teacher in public education.

[robbiegibson]

It is such a relief to start understanding executive function difficulties and emotional disregulation and having melt downs. I rarely do now because I understand what is going on now.

[desertdarlene]

I didn't think I was much different than others, except I talked too much. However, even when I tried so hard not to talk, people still had a problem with me and I never could figure out why. I just thought humans were just horrible jerks and stupid because they couldn't see or understand things that seemed clear and obvious to me. I thought I was extra smart and sensitive and that's why others didn't like me.

Now, I know a little more about how I come across to people and that seems to have helped.