Comments on: Autism-are you undiagnosed?

By: Simon H

Simon H — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 15:10:34 +0000

Hello
Thanks for this..
I’m 49 and starting to realize that I am autistic. I mask really well and through observation of people I have learned a lot of social skills.
I have a core of really good friends who are really important to me.
Oddly I’m very adventurous and open minded to new idea. I just get overwhelmed by too much sensory input and I need to hide away sometimes.. I struggle in conversation unless it’s something I’m interested in.
I do try and get on with people. Im eally aware of going on a monologue or ranting so often pull myself back before I get to intense lol! I also am very polite to people and make sure I show an interest in them.
Thanks x

By: Steve- adults with autism

Steve- adults with autism — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 09:51:28 +0000

In reply to Tommy.

Hi Tommy

Thanks for your comments.
I think there are lots of us older people just finding out that we have autism: after a life of not understanding why we are the way we are.

I personally found getting a diagnosis helpful, as it confirmed things I didn’t know about myself.

Thanks again Tommy for your kind comments. Best wishes to you.

Steve

By: Tommy

Tommy — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 21:14:28 +0000

This page displays the most concise and clear list of symptoms that I have found online. It is very good.
I realised last year that it is highly likely I have had it all my life and I was born in the late 1960s. I can’t be certain though as a diagnosis has to be made by other people and not just by oneself. I will most likely not pursue a diagnosis as there is very little point now. I can get help from pages such as this. I am also prepared to consider that I might not have it and am in fact just an a**h*** (please excuse my French). Assuming I do have it, I find the process of realising, so late in life, that other people do not process information the way “we” do to have been disturbing, illuminating and also a relief in a way. I also feel sorry that other people have had to deal with behaviour that to them seemed so “off”, Like others it has been a “Luke I am your father” moment (The actual line from the film is “No, I am your father” but no one remembers it that way). To reference another film, I think many of “us” feel like the David Bowie character in “The Man Who Fell to Earth”.
Thank you Steve Slavin and best wishes to all the people going through something similar.

By: Steve- adults with autism

Steve- adults with autism — Fri, 17 May 2019 13:17:15 +0000

In reply to Anonymous.

Hi Susan
Thanks for visiting my website, and ordering my book. Personally, I found getting an autism diagnosis to be a positive step forward. You may have a period of self-discovery following the diagnosis. But then, you can just carry on with your life with a greater understanding.
Best wishes
Steve

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 16 May 2019 19:14:03 +0000

Hello Steven

Very helpful indeed. I have read all the comments and reply’s.
I’m due to be diagnosed next week in Bristol. I’m feeling pretty anxious about this already. I’m 47 and just want an answer as to why I have been the way I have all my life.

PS I have just ordered your book.

Thank you

Susan

By: Steve- adults with autism

Steve- adults with autism — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 19:16:46 +0000

In reply to Dan.

Hi Dan
I’m glad you found the article helpful.
Regards
Steve

By: Steve- adults with autism

Steve- adults with autism — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 19:11:49 +0000

In reply to Colin McGilvra.

Hi Colin
Its not too late to get a diagnosis.
A lot of people are getting a late diagnosis these days. I received mine at 48.

Have you considered speaking to your doctor about your possible autism?
Steve

By: Steve- adults with autism

Steve- adults with autism — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 19:08:32 +0000

In reply to Samantha.

Hi
Personally, I found the diagnosis helpful. Also I have found the opposite of discrimination. People have been really accommodating to my needs.
With a diagnosis, you may be able to get extra time when taking exams. possibly a useful thing at your age, if your planning on college or university.
Getting a diagnosis is definitely worth considering.
Regards
Steve

By: Colin McGilvra

Colin McGilvra — Mon, 28 May 2018 19:50:47 +0000

Hi Steve I was interested in your article,I’m a sixtytwo year old male,I have no interest in relationships I stay on my own I would holiday on my own and I worked on my own, my only friends are church friends,I find relationships very hard, I count things hate people being late if an engineer says they will come at nine o’clock I’m looking out the window for them bang on time,if I have to go somewhere that I have never been before I will go the day before to see how long it is going to take me getting there,I sit and do three dimensional puzzles,my father who used to fish if his fishing line got tangled up into a mess would give me the reel and I would untangle the line for him,I won’t stick up for myself as I just can’t seem to get the right words an example recently I ordered demims online I hate crowds,but they were not what I had ordered so in the end I went into my nearest store just as they opened and I should have been given a replacement but the guy on the refunds desk said no and I just accepted that and left the store it was only after emailing customer service that I got a replacement,this sort of thing happens all the time and has done since I was young, I have never had any diagnosis of autism and it was only after the recent television program that made me wonder whether I should speak to someone about this.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Mon, 21 May 2018 18:38:44 +0000

Hello, I am a college student and I have been wondering if I have autism for a while. I finally took that “Autism Spectrum Quotient” test and got a 35 out of 50. I believe I have autism but I don’t want to be diagnosed in fear of discrimination. I am already 19 and I think I cope with my autistic tendencies by myself pretty well. The only bad thing is that one of my coping strategies (which is to isolate myself sometimes for more than a week in my room until I feel like I can handle social interaction) makes my mother worry about me. Do you think it is worth to get a proper diagnosis? How will getting the diagnosis even help me?