How can I a 39 year old adult female come to terms with being diagnosed autistic?

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msamericanp... asks:

On September 17th I got the diagnoses of I am autistic. I am 39. I feel like my whole world has crashed down on me. My life story can be found on left brain/right brain blog. I wished I had learned this when I was a child and not so late in life. Now the most paginate scene in my favorite Disney movie seems even more like it should be me saying it than the character. That movie is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and the scene is the one where the Beast places the glass dome back over the enchanted rose and says, “No one can love a beast.”
I taught my cousin who is a nureotypical what wealth meant to me. To me my cousin is wealthy in love and acceptance. She is married, employed, has a daughter, has pets and friends. She is wealth in love and acceptance. She wonders why I cant be wealthy like her too. I remember her asking me New Years Day to promise her to be happy for her for once. I told her I couldn’t and be true to myself. She said to me for as long as she can remember I have always been miserable. I am tired of “professionals” that are supposed to know how to work with me get frustrated with me and then take it out on me. I didn't ask to be this way. I wished I could be cured of this and my hypothyroidism. Then I can finally live life to the fullest and not feel like I live in some demented form of purgatory.

In Topics: Autism & Aspergers Syndrome

> 60 days ago

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lkauffman

Oct 16, 2009

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What the Expert Says:

Thanks for your question and for sharing your experiences with other users in this forum. We receive questions from a number of adults who have been directly affected by the Autism spectrum, and I know that a great many people will benefit from hearing your story.

I imagine there is very little that can be said to take the sting away from your experience. I understand that you are hurting and struggling with your diagnosis, wondering where to go from here. This is a normal reaction, and I think that it is appropriate that you grieve and take some time to process the flood of intense feelings flooding over you. If you feel overwhelmed by the emotions, please do not hesitate to talk with a friend or family member. If you ever feel so sad that you consider hurting yourself, call your doctor or 911 to get the support you need to make it through this difficult time.

When you are ready to move forward, I think that it may be worthwhile to reach out to other adults who are living with Autism. The Autism Society has a wonderful community of local chapters http://209.200.89.252/search_site/chapter_map.cfm available to support people just like yourself. I understand that you feel alone and stuck in "purgatory," but there are others in your situation who can support you as you strive to understand your condition and how to live to your highest potential. There are a number of adults with Autism, such as Dr. Temple Grandin http://www.templegrandin.com/templehome.html who have translated their unique way of thinking into careers and productive personal lives.

It may take some time to get there, but once you get the support you need, you can begin to take small steps to claiming the life you deserve. You can practice and learn "social scripts" for managing typical interpersonal situations (perhaps your cousin can help?) and learn the skills required for managing job interviews, first dates, etc.

Reach out to the Autism community in your local area and go from there. I believe that the future is much brighter than you may have ever imagined.

Best of luck to you.

L. Compian, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Education.com

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