Hello

[arizguy]

I'm David and was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome when I was in kindergarten. The thought of being different than everyone else made me hide that fact inside my subconscious mind and it took 60 years to come out.

 

[Rocco]

Welcome aboard

 

[tree]

 

[Outdated]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm pretty much the opposite, I knew I was weird all my life but didn't find out about autism until I was in my 50s.

 

[Grondhammar]

Welcome @arizguy! Hiding is one of my special talents, so I can relate to that idea. I hope you feel both seen, and comfortable with being accepted here. It's a nice place to be.

 

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[AspieChris]

Welcome. I found out at age 35. Im 51 now. Live got better when I could tell people that I have trouble with certain things. Most good people have let me excell at the bits of life that I can do, and let me slide on the harder parts.

You find out who your friends are.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I'm David and was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome when I was in kindergarten. The thought of being different than everyone else made me hide that fact inside my subconscious mind and it took 60 years to come out.

Welcome

What I find interesting and enjoy about this forum is that everyone has a different life story. Asperger's was almost unheard of 60 years ago. I am 58, had it...and didn't know...my parents being clueless...just assumed it was "behavioral" or "moral" issues and was repeatedly punished for it. My parents and siblings, years later, now reject any such diagnosis as some sort of liberal, label or identity produced from some quack doctor telling me what I wanted to hear...a made up excuse for what kind of person I was. Yeah...a bit of toxicity there. I don't have contact with them anymore.

I did go through a comprehensive formal testing and diagnosis. Glad I did. With the testing results comparing me to not only the general population, but also within the autistic population, it gave me the proper perspective to understand myself in ways that always eluded me. I am pretty open about my Asperger's/ASD-1...because I am in a position professionally and personally to do it...not everyone is. What I do know for certain is that my co-workers really don't care either way about any "diagnosis" as long as I am a good team member...and I am...I often take the leadership role and take care of my team. My wife's family are intelligent, educated people and are accepting, understanding, and frankly, quite curious. So, with myself being open about it, they don't feel awkward asking questions.

 

[Alexej]

HI and Welcome to the Forums

I am one of the later diagnosed folks in here - and I am still coming to terms with what this means for me.
Do hang around a bit and get to know us.