Late Diagnosis ASD - Anyone Else?

[TheShellBeach]

I have just been diagnosed with ASD at age 66.
TBH it's a relief.
I can now understand how and why I reacted and responded to things over the course of my life. I am also now thinking about all my relatives who are on the spectrum - and there are so many.
Has anyone else had a late diagnosis and how did you feel about it? I seem to have a large number of aunts and cousins who would be regarded as autistic. It clearly runs in my family.
If any of you have also had a diagnosis late in life, have you also gone through your family, recognising who is on the spectrum?

I'm giving you a bump because I'm interested.

My DD was diagnosed autistic age 11. She's mostly ok/pretty happy, but having a wobbly few weeks at the moment.

Her aunt in her 40s is about to get a diagnosis too. And her mum (my DD's gran) is also sure she is autistic too although hasn't sought a diagnosis yet. (I hope she does as I think it could help her too.)

When I told my mum about DD's diagnosis, she read about autism and when we spoke next said "well, that would explain a lot about me" (she's 70!)

What made you reach out for a diagnosis now?

How did you go about getting a diagnosis if you don't mind me asking?
I've been to my GP and said I really do think I'm autistic.
I got a very stern "well why would you think that?" "You can't come here and diagnose yourself!"
He made me feel like I was jumping on the bandwagon and sent me to the mental health clinic.
There are so so many reasons why I think I'm autistic, but got shut down straight away.

I'm glad you're finding it helpful and @crunchthegears I'm sorry that happened to you. Maybe it would be worth trying a different GP.

OP I would caution against now "diagnosing" your family members. By all means use what you've learned about autism to give people a bit more grace sometimes, but they are not necessarily all autistic just because you think they might be. Whether they are "diagnosable" or not, not everyone wants to know and you can easily cause offence and upset. Neither is it kind to speculate behind someone's back.

I am sure you mean well but this is your diagnosis, not anyone else's. It's plenty to get your head round, even if you were expecting it.

I was diagnosed in 2019 age 53, I have never fitted in, always known I was different. I just wish I could have been diagnosed while I was still at school & had the chance of some support either in mainstream school or in a unit for SEN.

Diagnosis age 24 here… since become pretty convinced that brother, Dad, aunts and cousins would get a diagnosis if they sought one. It would explain a lot about our family, the dynamics etc.

not sure all of those people would emotionally accept it or want to discuss though myself and DB have had some pretty open conversations about it.

I was 46, like you it was a relief and it explained a great deal. I find it useful knowing and I’m very open about it.

@crunchthegears , see a different gp. I was part of a diagnostic team before retirement, although I only worked with people up to 16, if I felt strongly that a parent was on the spectrum I would advise them to seek a dx.
Women in particular are overlooked and dismissed, do try a different GP and be firm!

www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/information-about-autism/early-years/parent-toolkit

autisticgirlsnetwork.org/

It runs in dh's family and several children have been diagnosed while some are seeking diagnosis. The older generation aren't diagnosed but the traits are very strong in some. Therefore not very hard to miss, it took me a while to get used to them. Since dc got their diagnosis, the penny dropped with regards to the wider family members.

I was diagnosed aged 42. I requested an assessment after my eldest son received his ASD diagnosis - as we were going through the process with him it became obvious to myself and my husband that I share many of his behaviours and thought processes and I felt (unsurprisingly) compelled to seek confirmation for myself. My diagnosis has given me a better understanding of my (non!) emotional responses and behaviours; when my ASD was confirmed it was a real ‘oh, that makes total sense’ moment.

There is a neurodiverse mumsnetters board under the special needs section if you are interested. Lots of good posts on there.

I was 46 and it’s given me a lot of peace. Eg I no longer torture myself about why I don’t have a dazzling array of “besties” and love “girlie nights”. I just do my thing.

tbh one of my sons is clearly the only one in this genetic line NOT in the spectrum - he’s the odd one out.

I was 23 when diagnosed. Do have a friend who was late 30s when he was diagnosed.

I didn't mean that I "diagnosed" family members with ASD - just that I speculated about which of them seemed to be on the spectrum, having received my own diagnosis.

I do agree that asking a different GP for help in getting assessed is important. It isn't a question of a bandwagon. My own diagnosis definitely helped me to make peace with my life, and to understand why some people seem to really like me, while others abhor me.