heather_sea
New Member
Hi, I'm Heather,
I only just discovered (extremely belatedly, as I'm 57) that I probably have Aspergers/Autistic (I already know I have ADHD and anxiety); because I am nothing like the men I know who have been diagnosed (for example, I don't have any specific special interests....well, yes I do, but they change regularly, sometimes daily!) I thought I was just some sort of eccentric introvert likely from my *very* interesting upbringing, growing up on remote game farms in Africa and being sent to boarding school at the age of 8. I assume I'm more or less high functioning, as I'm an academic and writer.
But after recently hearing this on the radio (Love and family and Asperger's: Tony Attwood) I thought, wow that sounds just like me, so I played it to my 3rd ex husband, who totally agreed. Then I did all the online tests and scored highly on each (I think of the results as having 'passed' the tests with flying colours). My oldest son, who is just like me (also an academic), also got diagnosed.
Anyway, this seems to explain so much of my life, like social problems, being bullied & abused, partners complaining about 'lack of affection' (I still have utterly no idea what they mean), sensory sensitivity, hatred of dishonesty, need for alone time (lots of it), and things need to be in writing or very clear before I understand them, clumsiness & lack of coordination...should I go on
I figured I might get a formal diagnosis, but have found that this is very difficult (long waiting lists and very expensive), and am not sure what benefit it will do (apart from giving me a really good excuse when people complain about things I do and also so my employers don't take away my office and send me back into the open plan area (the horror!)). Other than that, I am very happy with who I am (I should hope so at my age!)
Anyway, hello!
I only just discovered (extremely belatedly, as I'm 57) that I probably have Aspergers/Autistic (I already know I have ADHD and anxiety); because I am nothing like the men I know who have been diagnosed (for example, I don't have any specific special interests....well, yes I do, but they change regularly, sometimes daily!) I thought I was just some sort of eccentric introvert likely from my *very* interesting upbringing, growing up on remote game farms in Africa and being sent to boarding school at the age of 8. I assume I'm more or less high functioning, as I'm an academic and writer.
But after recently hearing this on the radio (Love and family and Asperger's: Tony Attwood) I thought, wow that sounds just like me, so I played it to my 3rd ex husband, who totally agreed. Then I did all the online tests and scored highly on each (I think of the results as having 'passed' the tests with flying colours). My oldest son, who is just like me (also an academic), also got diagnosed.
Anyway, this seems to explain so much of my life, like social problems, being bullied & abused, partners complaining about 'lack of affection' (I still have utterly no idea what they mean), sensory sensitivity, hatred of dishonesty, need for alone time (lots of it), and things need to be in writing or very clear before I understand them, clumsiness & lack of coordination...should I go on
I figured I might get a formal diagnosis, but have found that this is very difficult (long waiting lists and very expensive), and am not sure what benefit it will do (apart from giving me a really good excuse when people complain about things I do and also so my employers don't take away my office and send me back into the open plan area (the horror!)). Other than that, I am very happy with who I am (I should hope so at my age!)
Anyway, hello!
