ABOUT

My name is Louise. I was diagnosed with autism in my late forties, and two years later diagnosed with ADHD.

This blog is my journey from late diagnosis, how I navigate the ups and downs of life, and the strategies I use to cope.

I also write about my lifestyle, my life experiences, and raising awareness about neurodiversity.

Autism and ADHD can look different in each person. This is one way they can present.

This blog is for reference and education only, and not professional advice. Please consult a specialist for diagnosis or support.

Please like, comment and subscribe. I would love to read your ideas, thoughts and opinions.

Mindful Reading: Behind the Scenes of This Blog
Things That Matter
What This Blog Is and What It Is Not
Why I Write This Blog

My Journal

Late Diagnosis

  • My ADHD Diagnosis

    The past while has been a lot to process, as I was diagnosed with predominantly inattentive ADHD. A friend suspected it, but I don’t think what she said really sank in. It was a condition I knew very little about until now. There are three presentations of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, or combined. As… Read more

  • There has been research on this topic, and disclosing autism is a choice and different for everyone. Many autistic adults struggle to tell others about their autism diagnosis, and this is for many reasons, such as worrying about the reaction of others. Many autistic adults can experience stigma when disclosing their diagnosis and fear that… Read more

  • Image by Tumisu from Pixabay Pros Cons Sources: What are reasonable adjustments and when can they be requested Deciding whether to seek an autism assessment Pros and Cons of an ASD Assessment | The Autism Service Read more

  • Autism and Masking

    All my life, I have hidden most of my autistic traits from everyone around me. It was something I did, and I became an expert at it. I told no one how I felt, and that I was having difficulties. Observing Others I have learned to socialise by watching my peers, focusing on what they… Read more

  • People with autism can have difficulty understanding emotions, but this does not mean that we don’t feel them and cannot recognise certain emotions. Image by Gino Crescoli from Pixabay I Feel Emotions My emotions can be very intense, and the emotions of others can affect me. I am also sensitive to negativity. Mean words or… Read more

  • I have had many situations when someone has said something to me and they have meant something else, or not been clear about what they mean, regardless of whether it is intentional. I understand it is the speech pattern of people who are not on the spectrum. However, for me, I like to know exactly… Read more

  • Autism self-diagnosis is when a person identifies as autistic through their own experiences without a formal diagnosis by a professional. A formal autism diagnosis is when a professional assesses the person to determine whether they have autism, and by meeting the diagnostic criteria, they receive their official diagnosis. I have my own views of this… Read more

  • I don’t know where to start with this one. It is stressful for anyone, but for me, arranging a large social gathering such as a wedding, is stressful. I don’t have a clue. The steps involved are extremely challenging. Image by Pexels from Pixabay I enjoy large social gatherings to an extent, and I don’t… Read more

  • Regrets

    If I had only known I was autistic, I would have been able to deal with situations differently. Over the years, I have felt I have been unable to deal with people in the best way that I could. I have regrets about friendships and relationships. I have not understood why I have behaved in… Read more

  • When I think about being autistic, I see it as a difference rather than a disability. However, if we treated it as a difference rather than a disability, would autistic people get the support they need? Image by Rosy / Bad Homburg / Germany from Pixabay Autistic people struggle to get the support they need… Read more