To pursue an autism diagnosis in adulthood

[namechange1505]

I have suspected for a number of years that I may have very mild autism. I know a number of girls successfully mask their symptoms and I think that might be what's happened with me.

My question is - is there any benefit to exploring a potential diagnosis at age 28 with two young kids? What kind of support, if any, might it give me access to?

It can be very helpful if you find yourself vulnerable at any point in your life - eg in hospital, imprisoned, elderly etc.

These are situations where it can make a difference to people’s perceptions of your behaviour and reactions.

This also. And even day to day if I come up against a difficult situation where I would normally walk away - knowing I am struggling because I'm autistic means I am more likely to be able to stay and deal with what's going on. I have said to people 'I am autism's finding this difficult' and it often is what is needed to prevent a situation escaping where previously it would.

It has helped me understand why I don't want to sit in the middle of the cafe and it's given me the voice to ask for a side table. It's given me the power to ask for help when travelling where previously I would have gone i to meltdown and ended up in a worse situation. It's given me so much.

Diagnosed with ADHD earlier this year, the assessor thought it was highly likely I also have ASD, so I'm waiting for that. Part of me thinks 'well, I've got through my life without knowing, it can't be that much of an issue, right?' and part of me thinks 'oh, is that why I felt X or did Y that time?'

I'm not sure what I'll do with a diagnosis or how I'll feel about it, and when I read about it online a lot of things don't quite fit....but much of it does. Part of me is worried it will come across as 'this person can't deal with things as well as others - it's not their fault, but maybe we'd rather have someone at work/the party/in our group who does?'

It won't give you any external support tbh.
But OMG the internal support you'll feel will be immense. There'll be a shift change. You'll know your autistic not just think you might be. And cos you're autistic that being a fact will change things. It takes ages so you might as well get on waiting list, 2-3 years for me.
Do it. I promise you it's life changing even tho it looks like nothing has changed.

I was diagnosed this week at 40. I suppose I always knew really but I've found having official confirmation very validating and I'm glad I did it. I haven't had the final session yet about supports etc

Also look at “right to choose”.