Adult Autism: what's it like to get a late diagnosis? My story..

The biggest issue when being diagnosed as an adult, is realising, that one should have had help from childhood.

Your book layout makes me so happy

I'm 55. I was diagnosed 5 years ago. It feels like no one so far has accepted my diagnosis. Probably the only benefit I've gained from a diagnosis is to be a little more accepting of myself.

I've accepted that I'm probably never going to hold down a job working closely with other people because too much tension builds in those relationships. Fortunately I've managed to turn my hand to clothing alterations and just about earn a living doing that working at home. I'm also not going to try to have an intimate relationship anymore. I find it incredibly difficult to fit the role of a wife. In truth I just find most roles one has to play as a human being just too exhausting to undertake, but if you met me you would think I was doing just fine!

I really love the color coding. Now if only the books were arranged by how tall they are while still being color coded. Thank you nonetheless for an informative video. You are the awesome-est!

I’m 67, and after watching several videos on female ASD, I think I’ve been autistic all my life! It explains SO much!!!

I’m currently self-diagnosed seeking a professional diagnosis and this made me feel the most amount of “normal” I have ever felt. Thank you so much for this video, really ❤️

Your "rambling" is how I talk anytime I get excited and allow myself to just talk without fear (usually only to my husband lol). So it is SUPER nice to know I'm not alone! This is the first of your videos I discovered, and I'm looking forward to binge watching through your channel now. :D Thanks for sharing!

I was diagnosed as autistic last year, age 58. It is a lot to get my head around! I am grateful for the tools I am learning that help my days go better.

Am I the only one whose life got worse since diagnostic ?
Not like I dont recognize myself in it but then it made me realise that less things will be possible in life. Before that I had the benefit of not knowing it and on a misunderstanding it could sometimes work.

I will be 33 in March and I’m in the process of a diagnosis right now. My mind has been utterly blown apart by all of it. Still trying to understand it all, so thank you for sharing your story. You and the other late diagnosed autistic women of YouTube have been my only friends through this process and I’m very grateful. I would be so lost without you all.

I was diagnosed at 38 and it was mind blowing. At first it was a relief, then i fell into a deep depression and I have finally made peace with it. Paradoxically, I find that I’m a better people person now that I know I’m autistic — I have been reaching out to old friends and have been better able to understand others. Also, I had a talk with my parents (now in their 70s) and told them to stop treating me as a broken child — it blew their minds as well; we haven’t talked since then and, while it’s sad, I refuse to be hurt by their close-minded convictions any longer.

I was diagnosed a couple months ago at age 36. I can relate to so much of what you have said here! Also, the way your bookshelf is arranged makes me really happy.

I’m a self diagnosed 48 year old woman. My psychiatrist is going to organise a formal assessment once my anxiety is more manageable. I really identified with your video and I particularly like your colour coded organisation of your bookshelf.

My therapist reccomended this video to me, I have just been diagnosed aged 21 and can relate so much to everything you say, its nice to not feel so alone

Thank you Pooky. I was diagnosed last year at 42. I already had a diagnosis of C-PTSD. Apart from the fact that there is almost no help for adults with autism in The Highlands of Scotland, having the Autism "label" doesn't help when the NHS staff know nothing about autism. I stumbled on this video because I am trying to find videos to give to my GP as they have no real understanding about autism. I "came out" as having autism to my friends and all of them told me they didn't need to know about autism because they know me...but like you said, they only know what I show them.. My only hope is that during this lock down people will start to educate themselves about autism.

Thoroughly enjoyed your sharing! Somehow, it feels so much better to hear someone on the spectrum relax and just say whatever comes... Than listening to "regular" folks talk. Perhaps it's just the release of sharing the things we spend our lives not saying - and hearing the honesty of feeling without the need to make it "fit" some expectations... Just simple truth. You speak truth well. Thank you for sharing.

Your colour coordinated bookshelves made me smile immediately! I love it :D

A gem of a rambling video. Definitely the best kind. Being open and honest about things is so important to all of us and helps in understanding. As an aside I love the section at 4:55 where Buddy suddenly realises he’s on camera and strikes a pose. 😄

Hi, I commented a while ago about some self harm issues I was having. This was about a year/year and a half ago. I then got diagnosed with autism last June, after concoring my self harm issues, and suddenly everything fell into place. At first I was rather overwhelmed and felt a bit out of place in my diagnosis. Nearly a year on I feel I have embraced it. My teachers at school now know and I can get extra when I need/want it. One thing I still struggle with though is with my peers at school, I have told very few of my friends as in a school environment being autistic is like being a walking joke, it would be never ending teasing and talking behind my back. Like u said about masking, most people don't know I'm autistic because I don't let them know. Everything in this video I can relate to, between the diagnosis and self discovery from it, I've watched ur videos for well over a year now and this has helped me feel a lot less alone as I know no one in my life with autism. Thankyou so much.❤

I am 40 and just having huge epiphany that this is me. I identify so strongly with your description of your experience. I’m exhausted. Thank you so much for this. 🙏🏼