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Late Diagnosis

Often, the big thing I’ve seen with a diagnosis is time. The lives of people that are on the spectrum can vary significantly from when they were diagnosed. My parents decided to go through with a diagnosis this year, and I have been thinking a lot about how my life could have been different if I was diagnosed when I was younger. 3, 5, any time earlier. It has been a difficult year, and that support would have made all the difference.

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Hello! I am about to turn 71 in another month, and just received an ADHD and autism diagnosis a month ago. I haven't been on here for a long while because I became convinced I was not autistic, but my formal diagnosis proved otherwise. I really could not be happier about this! It explains SO many things in my life. I want to encourage anyone else who has a late diagnosis to embrace it and be glad. One can't help but wonder about how much better life might have been had we been diagnosed earlier, but I can even see some good that came of my having to bumble through life. If I'd known I was autistic, I probably wouldn't have put so much effort into doing things that were way out of my comfort zone. Now, though, I give myself a huge break in social situations, knowing why they make me uncomfortable. There's a peace that accompanies finally understanding yourself. Welcome to this forum, BiCrafter 752, and best of luck with your upcoming diagnosis! I truly hope that whatever the outcome of that is, you will have the means to cope with and lessen your anxiety. Your hobbies sound interesting and exciting!
 
Stuttermabolur
Franish said:
Hello! I am about to turn 71 in another month, and just received an ADHD and autism diagnosis a month ago. I haven't been on here for a long while because I became convinced I was not autistic, but my formal diagnosis proved otherwise. I really could not be happier about this! It explains SO many things in my life. I want to encourage anyone else who has a late diagnosis to embrace it and be glad. One can't help but wonder about how much better life might have been had we been diagnosed earlier, but I can even see some good that came of my having to bumble through life. If I'd known I was autistic, I probably wouldn't have put so much effort into doing things that were way out of my comfort zone. Now, though, I give myself a huge break in social situations, knowing why they make me uncomfortable. There's a peace that accompanies finally understanding yourself. Welcome to this forum, BiCrafter 752, and best of luck with your upcoming diagnosis! I truly hope that whatever the outcome of that is, you will have the means to cope with and lessen your anxiety. Your hobbies sound interesting and exciting!
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I'm glad to hear you received your diagnosis and that knowing has been helpful for you. I'm self diagnosed, and can't help feeling that if I had been diagnosed, I might not have gone through with several of my wilder adventures. On the other hand, more support (like at University) would really have helped.
 

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BiCrafter752
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