Late diagnosis

Aspiemike

I was nearly 60 when diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and am so proud to be different, I feel relieved to now know who I am and live my life to the full and not pretending to be someone else. 

chiarieds

Hi @Aspiemike & welcome to this community.

I don't know what it's like to have Asperger's Syndrome, but our son was described as 'next door to this' when he was about 19 years old. He said the psychologist described him perfectly, & he'd lost faith with the many other Drs. we'd met trying to get other diagnoses confirmed. He also felt relieved to eventually meet a Dr. that understood him.

Yes, be proud to be different; getting a diagnosis I feel often gives validation. We're all different thank goodness; that just adds to the diversity of mankind, often enriching it.

Aspiemike

I struggle daily now I'm me at last, my family are  now more understanding I suffer with depression and anxiety tinnitus in  both ears, arthritis in my neck back pain. I take a dozen pills a day just to function but still get horrible headaches and feeling s of worthlessness and if my wife wasn't here to keep an eye out for me I would not manage she is my rock. I am going to recomit to christ as I was a staunch Christian as was my wife but we fell due to my struggle with my identity and being unable to fit in with society. But now I need christ back in my life and I believe that my wife does too. God will not let us go but its our choice. 

April2018mom

Have you contacted the National Autism Society or not? And yes a diagnosis is life altering. 

Adrian_Scope

Hi @Aspiemike and a warm welcome to the community! How are you today?

It's great to hear that receiving a diagnosis has had such a positive affect on you.

Aspiemike

Yes I am going on a post diagnostic course in November 5 2.5 hour sessions so looking forward to that 

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @Aspiemike and a warm welcome to the community! It's great that you have been able to access support, the course sounds like it'd be really interesting! I hope you find it beneficial.

Aspiemike

Yes hopefully meet like minded people 

Chloe_Alumni

I hope you do.

DAVID55

I was also very relieved after my diagnosis. I knew there was something different with me from the age of 15 (now 55) thought I was going mad most of my life and had been mis diagnosed with depression & anxiety when really it was my Aspergers causing me so many issues. Now I just accept my differences ?

Aspiemike

I heard on the radio today that autistic adults are  being sectioned under the mental health act and locked in cells with no outside contact and fed through the door like animals, listen to today's jerremy vine show on radio 2 on the podcasts. I had only just come in from my first post diagnostic course it is tear jerking. I cannot believe people are being treated like this today 

Aspiemike

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0009szk

Aspiemike

Listen to this show I think it's the second subject 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0009szk

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @Aspiemike, thank you for sharing this with us - how awful!!

When in November is your course?

Aspiemike

Done my second day of my course today 3more to go

Chloe_Alumni

That's amazing @Aspiemike! How have you found them?

Aspiemike

The course was ok timed and only 3 of us just ok 

Abi_E

I know its an old topic, but most of the resources on when Autism/ Aspbergers gets diagnosed say kids get diagnosed at about 2-3 years old. Pah! maybe the case sometimes, but most of the people I know found out after at least 10 years

cjbraiden

I had a late diagnosis. I'm just 56, birthday in December. I was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, last year at the age of 54. I have my very strong hobbies, Electronics, Embedded software programming and Amateur Radio. Also do Art, music and poetry. I am pretty much a loner, with few friends. I shy away from social gatherings, always found them too stressful, much prefer my own company. There are days I do get lonely but it passes. I was with my x wife for 18 years, we have a beautiful daughter, she is 19. They moved out of the area to the other side of the country, I don't get to see them hardly at all.

Adrian_Scope

I'm sorry you don't get to see much of your daughter @cjbraiden. Are you able to stay in touch with her in other ways such as on the phone?