I'm a mother diagnosed with Autism AMA

[TheLivelyCat]

I am a mother diagnosed with with Autism AMA.

Do you have biological children (ie you are related to), and do they have autism?

What are the challenges you face as a person with autism and do you find this has negative or positive impact on how you parent?

What could society be doing to help you as a person and also as a parent?

At what age did you receive your diagnosis? If as an adult, what led to you seeking a diagnosis?

Thank you 💐

Are your children showing signs of autism?

Yes I have 2 biology children. 1 is in the in the process of being diagnosed.

I definitely have some challenges, mostly sensory, and some daily activities (I get support from family in those areas).
However in some areas I find it to be an advantage.

I was diagnosed as an adult, after my GP put the pices of the puzzle together and suggested I ger assessed.

1 is in the process of being diagnosed.

Hi - me too! I'm a mother and received late diagnoses of autism and ADHD.

How do you feel about the late diagnosis? Has it been helpful? How have your family responded?

What communication difficulties do you have?

Did your diagnosis process require someone who knew you as a child?

Did getting diagnosed help you and if so how?

I have one diagnosed child and debating whether to get diagnosed myself

My family, were not surprised, I had difficulties from being a child.

Is autism the most interesting thing about you?

I'm highly verbal, I did receive speech therapy as a child. Im not the best at small talk, and can get stuck on a topic of interest etc, I also over analyse my conversations.

Jog on

Yes my mum was part of my diagnoses, the process is similar to a child's.

It has helped me to understand my differences/difficulties in life, and instead of being hard on myself as to why it isn't as easy for as most, I now realise and make adjustments in how I do those things.

Hopefully not, I have an interesting life, hobbies, my family, most people i know don't know I'm autistic.

Did you know you were autistic before you had DC?
if so did you worry that they may also be autistic?
Do you think your partner is ND or NT? As i think ND people tend to stick together!
Do you think you think being a mum is more of a challenge as an autistic person?
For example do you really struggle if you dont get to time to yourself to reset?
Do you teach your DC who maybe autistic coping strategies, social skills or masking?
I have autistic DC and think im probably undiagnosed autistic.
I think i inadvertantly taught my DC how to mask when they were young. I consciously have taught them social skills ie remember to look at people, smile and say hello.
Do you think pursuing a diagnosis is worth while?
Are you also in employment and and if so how do you juggle everything without getting burnt out ?

No I didn't know i was Autistic before I had them.
1 is being diagnosed at the moment.
I believe being Autistic definitely has its challenges, but also advantages.
I definitely need to factor in decompression time into my day, week, I dont currently work so I have some flexibility with my days, I definitely would burn out working full time and being a mum.
I'm not aware of teaching my DCs to mask, if anything I might be the opposite, I expect them not to be rude, say please and thank you etc. But I allow them to be themselves.

You didn't know you were autistic but must have realised at some point to get a diagnosis as an adult? Genuinely asking with caring because the awareness wasn't there years ago so you just struggle through life knowing it's difficult to navigate so many things in life but not knowing why.

Also, being autistic and depending where you are on the scale and so many aspects to it, with support now to manage is so much better.

I'm glad there's so much more understanding for the condition, having an autistic DC and the help and interventions have been invaluable. Xx

Is being a dickhead the most interesting thing about you?