Were you diagnosed early or later in life?

[AmyB8484]

Were you diagnosed early or later in life? What kinds of traits and/or issues raised suspicion of or led to the diagnosis? If later, did growing up without knowing why you seemed to be different impact you in a negative way?

As for me, I'm 35 and have only known for a year. I was told that, in the past, they didn't know female traits were different, so a lot of times girls went undiagnosed. Since childhood I knew something was off about me, and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't think like, talk like, or act like others and was rejected, felt like an outcast.

If I sought advice from my parents or a counselor, I'd be told that it was in my head, there was nothing wrong with me, and I just needed to do x, y, and z, and I'd make friends. By high school I was in a deep depression and suicidal at times, having lost hope that I'd ever learn to be like others and feel accepted. As I grew up, with the help of medication and years of practice (which entailed a ton of humiliation on the way, from putting myself out there on a limb, but it was worth it, lol), I came a really long way, but I feel if I could have found out why I was different, that it wasn't my fault, and had help and guidance, my life could have turned out differently. Of course I take responsibility for my life's direction today, but it could have been easier.

So what were your experiences with the diagnosing process? How did you feel about finding out?

 

[GoofKing]

I was diagnosed at the age of eleven but I think the teachers knew that there something different about me

 

[Evy the Owl]

I've been diagnosed at 15,6 years old. I definitely wish I had been diagnosed earlier, it would have saved me from a lot of trouble. However, it did teach me how to blend in with NTs.

EDIT: How I got diagnosed: I went to see a psychologist because I suspected I had ADD. Turns out I have ADHD and aspergers. The diagnosis and stuff took a couple of months.

 

[Atay]

I'm so sorry to hear about your pain during High School; such a hard time of life to feel alone. I wish no child had to go through that...

I'm also 35, and was also diagnosed a year ago. It all came about because I was seeing Aspie traits in my son, and could suddenly see them in my parents (in a fairly extreme way). Eventually, I asked the question of myself.

One of my primary obsessions in life has been psychology. It was my belief that I was "weird" because of my highly traumatic upbringing, and that trauma can be resolved with proper treatment. So, starting as a young adult, I went on an intensive mental health journey.

Many years later, when I had finally resolved the vast majority of my trauma (to the point where it's no more than about average), I discovered that I was STILL weird and different. This discovery was depressing and disconcerting.

Definitely, there is a huge diagnosis issue with girls. I am a pretty textbook case, if you can just find the textbook.

I deeply wish I would've known before. It would have reduced all the toxic shame from my upbringing in not being able to be normal. Also, my sister's trauma was far more severe than mine, and I wonder if knowing this fundamental component of herself and our parents would have saved her from an early end to her life.

So sad for all the kids out there that are lacking a diagnosis, and think there's snow thine wrong with them.

So glad that, at least, there are places like this nowadays for Aspies to connect.

 

[Salmongirl17]

I was diagnosed at age 6 or 7. I had the tests, but didn't know anything about it because my mom kept my diagnosis secret from me until I asked her why I had to see all these mental health people and had virtually no friends. So I didn't find out until about 5 years ago. Btw I'm 13