I was diagnosed autistic as an adult. AMA

[Megmargs]

I find there can be lots of misconceptions and misunderstandings about autism, so please ask me anything! You won’t offend me!

Thanks for this OP. I have a daughter aged 16 who has ASD and as she gets older her difficulties are becoming more apparent. What do you do for work and how have you managed? Have you had any reasonable adjustments because of your diagnosis?

I'm 39 and thinking of asking for an assessment, OP. DS1 was diagnosed over lockdown, he's 8 (level 1/Aspergers).

I spent my entire childhood feeling anxious. I always had special interests, and was super brainy but totally scatty.

I made learning how to socialise a special interest, because I wanted to be like my peers. I self-medicated with alcohol and recreational drugs when I got to uni, because I was studying the wrong subject and yet again didn't feel like I fitted in.

I always have to have a nap, and I find it incredibly hard to stay awake in the evening because I'm so drained. I'm even more drained if I'm around people who make me uncomfortable, like PILs.

Do you think it sounds like a diagnosis might benefit me? I'm a teacher in a secondary school and could occasionally do with a tiny bit of special consideration.

@cactusisblooming

Thanks for this OP. I have a daughter aged 16 who has ASD and as she gets older her difficulties are becoming more apparent. What do you do for work and how have you managed? Have you had any reasonable adjustments because of your diagnosis?

I think I mentioned my work and adjustments on page 1. I’m happy to go into more detail about it via DM if there’s anything else you want to know, but I don’t really want to go into specifics on the public forum just in case!

@MalorieSnooty

I'm 39 and thinking of asking for an assessment, OP. DS1 was diagnosed over lockdown, he's 8 (level 1/Aspergers).

I spent my entire childhood feeling anxious. I always had special interests, and was super brainy but totally scatty.

I made learning how to socialise a special interest, because I wanted to be like my peers. I self-medicated with alcohol and recreational drugs when I got to uni, because I was studying the wrong subject and yet again didn't feel like I fitted in.

I always have to have a nap, and I find it incredibly hard to stay awake in the evening because I'm so drained. I'm even more drained if I'm around people who make me uncomfortable, like PILs.

Do you think it sounds like a diagnosis might benefit me? I'm a teacher in a secondary school and could occasionally do with a tiny bit of special consideration.

If you need the adjustments then yes, I would recommend looking into a diagnosis. From personal experience I do think there’s an element of the demanding social aspect of teaching being an issue in itself, even with adjustments I’m still finding that I’m completely drained. If there’s an outcome you would like aside from just knowing for your own sake, the only real way to get that is through a diagnosis unless you work in some wonderful school where they would accept self-diagnosis. If you do please tell me and I’ll move!! 😂

MalorieSnooty I was 53 when I was diagnosed last year, it took 2 years from referral to diagnosis.