Was diagnosis a life changer?

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Hello. Being newly diagnosed at the age of 52 I am still feeling excited about it, Its so good to know why I am the way I am! But my feelings got me wondering. Did any of you get a diagnosis later in life? And if so did the diagnosis make your life better or easier? Of so in what way?

I'm working toward official diagnosis at 27. Not quite later in life by comparison to many 40+ diagnosis but still a breakthrough. Finally have an explanation for difficult childhood, social and school. The sheer validation and having a framework to approach life is the best part. Rather than working at issues the way NT people would and failing, now i'm learning how to cope according to my abilities.

I was diagnosed last year, at 35. On the one hand, yes, it changed a lot of things. I was no longer a complete failure at being a person, I was just autistic.

But on the other hand, I don't quite know what to do with that. I don't know how to figure out what's me and what's the mask, or what I really feel and what I just think I ought to feel. It's cleared up a lot, but also raised more questions.

I'm really glad I got diagnosed, tho. It was the most validating thing that ever happened to me.

I'm 51, but undiagnosed.

I think it would be exciting to find out. I don't connect with people, and at the moment, I feel quite lonely.

Graceling, being on my own for the first time in my life (no parents, husband or children) has really helped me sort out what's really me. For the first time in my life, I feel like I have genuine interests that reflect me. It surprises me sometimes.

And a lot of my specific anxieties have lessened now that I'm only responsible for me. Not completely gone away, but better.

It came as a shock. I went to see my doc. due to other issues, and was told I was gifted and on the spectrum.

I was diagnosed at 30. I wouldn’t say that it changed my life, but it helped explain why I experienced difficulties in areas that my family didn’t understand. Growing up, I’d be disciplined harshly for behaviors I couldn’t entirely control.

I feel more comfortable in my own skin with this awareness and understanding. I feel less obliged to conform.

I was 47 or 48, when I got diagnosed. Initially, I was very angry, because I wondered why no one had told me, before----and, maybe if they had, I wouldn't have had so many struggles.

I don't think I would say it was exciting to find-out, but yes, it changed my life (made it better / easier), cuz I finally had all the answers as to why I've been so friggin' weird, all-of-my-life, and I didn't feel as weird, anymore, when I found-out there was actually a name / definition for what was "wrong" with me----and then, after I came here, it helped alot to find so many more people who shared so many similar experiences, and I have learned alot about myself, and it was great learning the different ways people cope with it all.

Yes initially felt v angry and depressed
Now coming to terms with it am being more patient n realistic with Myself .

The lady who mentioned it raised a lot more questions - can you explain? I’m wondering what sort of ?s others would have come up?

I was still a nutty 3-year-old LOL

Got diagnosed last year. It made huge difference in my life, as my family is being a lot more considerate towards me. I have much more of a sense of direction than before.

I'm 65. The idea that I'm somewhere on the spectrum has been hovering around me for a couple of years. I'm pretty sure but I only just found someone who will be able to do an assessment.

This thing has been enormously destructive in my life and in my children's lives. In the last six years I have surmounted incredible health and life challenges. To have come this far only to find this thing underlying it all is devastating.

Resources and information for a woman my age are limited and hard to find. I'm alone; there is no one to help me with this. And I don't know if I'll be able to break through this wall of isolation that has surrounded me all my life.

People who know me admire my creativity, my sense of adventure. But they don't invite me in close to their lives.
I would trade all this creativity and adventure in a heart beat for friends and family.

Yes! I was officially diagnosed when I was 9 years old but that was kept from me until I discovered it myself. My parents tried to raise me like I was normal. This didn't work.

I discovered I had Aspergers at 17, it was like everything made sense. It has given me breathing space.

However, I have only told a handful of people about this. One day I hope to tell everyone.