Hi all,
Those of you who have had a diagnosis of autism in adulthood how gas it been of benefit to you.
My daughter is diagnosed and is 8.
I started reading and researching and getting support for my daughter and a few days ago had a bit if a light bulb moment. I was reading a book written by an autistic person and thought 'ah his normal is my normal'. What I thought everyone (nerotypical folk) felt and thought is perhaps different to me and what I think but obviously I didn't know any different.
Thinking back to my childhood and the internal struggles I had. The way I view the world. The way I understand emotions and lots of other things it seems that I am autistic too. I have suffered low confidence and mental health issues, meltdowns in the form of crying and burnouts all my life but always put it down to outside influences.
I sat down and told my husband and we actually had a bit of a laugh as I'd considered everyone else strange and he pointed this out and how what I considered 'normal' is actually different to him and most people and I'm the neurodiverse one. He did say its something he'd always known but I am who I am so he's never felt the need to bring it up. He spoke of my obsessions and black and white thinking etc which is true.
The thing is I'm trying to support my daughter right now so won't pursue this for a while if at all. I'm 32 now, I have managed through life this far, I can control my Meltdowns when appropriate. I work in a good professional career, I have some friends, I have a nice husband and lovley children and I have a nice relationship with my family. So really is there any need or point in me getting an official diagnosis? How has it helped you?
Thanks