I was not sure where to put this but as I read the relationships board regularly thought this would be a good place.
I am five years NC with my parents and sibling although I am in touch with some cousins.
I have been for my first assessment for an autism diagnosis this week and have my next one next week. The second part of the assessment has to be a form to be filled in my a family member that has known you since you were young, who comes along to the appointment.
There is no one I can ask due to NC so my husband is filling in the form and coming with me.
This is bringing up a lot of feelings of sadness for me - that there is no one from my early life who cares about me enough to have stayed in touch with me, or to seek me out on social media. Some family members didn't bother with me for years and suddenly appeared after NC to try to shame me into speaking to my abusive parents again.
My son is autistic and he has been diagnosed early, and is in a good educational setting with his needs being met both at school and home. He knows that he is loved and accepted for who he is, at least at home and school and the small group of close friends I have and their children. It is my similarity with my son that has led to me seeking a diagnosis.
Seeing how happy my children are (I also have an NT daughter) makes me very proud of what DH and I have achieved with no support but I am very sad for myself .
I am also dreading that after such a long wait they may tell me I do not meet the diagnostic criteria. This is in spite of the fact that I am very sure that I am, and DH agrees.
I feel I have taken such a long time to find out who I am, and I do not want to lose myself again.
Has anyone been through similar and can offer some words of advice/support?