CentralFLM wrote:
It is an absolute shock to realize you have a form of autism at such an advanced age. I was diagnosed at 32. You think to yourself how can this happen. I feel that being autistic is the main reason why we don't know we are autistic. lol I look back at things I have done in my life, some embarrassing things, and it clearly is autistic behavior. Usually people can't point out that we are autistic, because most people are not educated to the fact that there are degrees. We can talk and communicate so we are not close to being Rain Man. In a way it is a relief, but in another way it is torment because I think how much I have missed out on life and I realize that I'm not going to be able to fully "fix" it. It gives me depression because I also realize my future is going to be much the same as the past. No friendships no matter how hard I try will be what is in store for me. I want friends, but I don't want friends. You know what I mean? I'm sorry you've had to go through with this. Try the gluten free, dairy free diet. It has helped me some.
In her book Developing Talents, Temple Grandin said it's the really high functioning autistics like us who have the hardest time because we don't have an obvious problem. People see our differences and think "weirdo" or "creep" and not "Aspie" or "Autistic. I know the depression you are talking about very well. Depression is the most common comorbid condition of AS, and I believe that just being different in a world that hates the different has a lot to do with it. I've heard the suicide rate of Aspies is alarmingly high.
But I don't want to die, and I don't want any of you to die either. I'm glad I've found you. We all need each other, that's for dang sure.
23 Mar 2008, 1:49 am
