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Hello everybody

Draig_Las

Draig_Las

New Member
Hello

I'm 49 and this year I've been finally considering how autistic I am, what I read makes so much sense to me, so I'm beginning to consider myself somewhere on the spectrum. I'm finding it difficult to know what about me is autism as I've had so long to develop coping strategies. I'm considering the possibility of being assessed for diagnosis, purely to evidence in job applications and interviews, which has always been difficult for me.
 
Welcome to the forum. It's nice to see you feel open about disclosing this. I think it's about 20/80 here. 20% are for disclosure, the rest of us just completely shut down just on the thought of that alone. Some of this might stem from being bullied in school for being different. But it's great to have you here and perhaps you might share your special interests or pet pictures later on.
 
welcome to af.webp
 
Aspychata said:
Welcome to the forum. It's nice to see you feel open about disclosing this. I think it's about 20/80 here. 20% are for disclosure, the rest of us just completely shut down just on the thought of that alone. Some of this might stem from being bullied in school for being different. But it's great to have you here and perhaps you might share your special interests or pet pictures later on.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Age has it's advantages. I was bullied at school for being odd, but I've had a long time to get over it!
 
Aspychata said:
Welcome to the forum. It's nice to see you feel open about disclosing this. I think it's about 20/80 here. 20% are for disclosure, the rest of us just completely shut down just on the thought of that alone. Some of this might stem from being bullied in school for being different. But it's great to have you here and perhaps you might share your special interests or pet pictures later on.
Click to expand...
My special interests? I perhaps have too many, and I ahave been completely obsessed with each of them for a while, but never losing intest, but I don't really have one absorbing interest that trumps the others in demanding my time. I'm not sure how unusual this may be.
Two to start with. I like all kinds of music, and have learnt to play a number of musical instruments and keep adding more. I like football, and keep adding teams to the list of teams I support (Getting into women's football recently did double the number of teasm I support). I don't think NTs generally do this, but is it an autism thing?
 
I also came late to an Autism diagnosis (mid to late 40's), I can relate...

As for job interviews, I don't normally disclose, maybe I should
 
Welcome! I also have difficulties in job applications and interviews and have a few different special interests. I tried learning the guitar but never could swing it. I like music a lot though.
 
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