ASD Diagnosis, now what?

[Mumofthree8]

I’m so lost. Recently diagnosed with ASD following years of mental health trouble, what I’m in need of now is help to put some coping strategies into place and ideas of things that can help.
i have been Googling ‘autistic life coach’ as this is what I feel I need but my searches are not very fruitful. I need to understand how I can move forward with my diagnosis and make the best decisions for me and my family.
I’ve been reading a lot of books from adult women diagnosed as adults and think I may be in an autistic burnout phase at the moment. Any tips of what to google or even ways to balance your own autistic needs with those of a young family?
thank you

[Craftycorvid]

Just giving you a ‘bump’ and a ‘hang on in there’. Getting a confirmed diagnosis is a huge deal - life changing, not just your life now, but how you view your past and think about your future. A sensible autism-educated therapist may help you manage the process.

[Mumofthree8]

@Craftycorvid

Just giving you a ‘bump’ and a ‘hang on in there’. Getting a confirmed diagnosis is a huge deal - life changing, not just your life now, but how you view your past and think about your future. A sensible autism-educated therapist may help you manage the process.

Thank you for replying you are right it’s a huge deal. It all happened very quickly due to being diagnosed via perinatal mental health team, within weeks in fact.
I will ask my therapist if she thinks she can help me, not sure if it is something she knows much about.

[BlackeyedSusan]

She's likely to know people who can though.

Try to cut yourself some slack and not take on anything extra while you process this. It takes a year or so, a bit like grief.

[Mumofthree8]

@BlackeyedSusan

She's likely to know people who can though.

Try to cut yourself some slack and not take on anything extra while you process this. It takes a year or so, a bit like grief.

Thank you for your kind words, we should all cut ourselves more slack

[Craftycorvid]

A decent therapist will understand the emotional impact of life-changing news on a person. Your therapist sounds like a good one @Mumofthree8 and your journey will help open her eyes as well if she is prepared to learn from you.

[EastLifer]

I find TikTok invaluable. I searched late diagnosed autistic women and their personal accounts really helped. A few of them have gone on to be autistic life coaches. My counsellor (had before my diagnosis) luckily is trained in adhd and autism and is brilliant. If you can afford it I'd say go for counselling, with a registered counsellor who knows about autism rather than an autism coach.