I've recent been diagnosed with Autism AMA

[2019THud]

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How did you get diagnosed and what were the symptoms that made you want to get tested?

Was it a shock to have this diagnosis?

How did you feel when you got the diagnosis? Was it a shock, a relief? Something else?

I have definitely got traits.

@fromcitytocountry I went to the doctor 3 year ago. I knew I was different from most of the people I knew and luckily she agreed to refer me for an assessment.

@dontmentionbookclub yes it was. I didn't actually think I would be diagnosed rather referred for more assessments.

@redexpat I felt very sorry for myself. I thought my issues were down to anxiety and dyslexia so something I may have been able to grow out of.

@iamNOTmagic to be happy next I wanted to be able to explain to people why I don't go out or socialise. If I did end up working again I hoped it may explain the way that I am. I think my siblings understand now that I can't help how I react to certain things where as before they thought I was awkward.

Sorry I've no idea what I was trying to say at the beginning. Predictive text.

I think I meant to put "to be honest"

Hi @2009. Do you resent your parents/caregivers for not pushing for a diagnosis whilst you were a child?

How will the diagnosis help you as an adult?

I’m older than most mums and I suspect the same. But what support is there for adults, if I did request an assessment?

I’ve survived the being hopeless at communication, poor at relationships, speech problems etc for so long now.

Congrats on your diagnosis I've been waiting for just over a year now for an NHS assessment and have suspected that I might be autistic for around 2.5 years. Do you feel that you understand yourself better now you know that you're autistic?

@TheGoldenNotebook my mum came to all of my assessments and said even from a baby she knew something was different. This was the first I had heard about this. I was the one that went to the doctors and I do wish she had spoken to me. I know people say back then there wasn't such and such but I'm only 35.

@Mintjulia to be honest all they have offered me is a group discussion once a fortnight. I don't do travel or groups lol.

They gave me a number to a charity that can help me find work. I don't do phones and my nerves are too bad to work at the minute.

@Squeakycheese I hope you're not waiting too long. I was in the list two years. I think so but now I think this is me. Before the diagnosis I hoped live would change.

I don't socialise but I do use social media. A lot of the comments upset me.
Who wants to be normal anyway
I think everyone is a bit autistic
You don't look autistic
One step at a time
Things will only change if you allow it