My Autism Life After Diagnosis

My Journal

ABOUT

My name is Louise. I was diagnosed with autism in my late forties.

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 neurodiversity awareness.

Autism is a spectrum, and it can look different in each person. This is one way autism 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.

My Journal

Raising Awareness

  • Autism and ‘Safe Foods’

    Has anyone ever wondered why many people with autism fuss over food? It is not about being difficult, but about sensory regulation, comfort and predictability. I am not very good at trying new food. There are a lot of foods I like to eat, but there are foods that make me feel anxious when and Read more

  • Relationships: Reasons not to start again

    A relationship, I hope not. I have an imaginary man, and he is perfect😂. At the stage I am at in my life, the thought of a relationship is very difficult. Relationships have always been that way for me. When I think about it now, I get a knot in my stomach. Image by AS Read more

  • Autism Inclusion and the Family

    For me, a sense of belonging is very important, so the attitude of my family makes a difference. Autism inclusion in families is an important place for support and connection. How the family views me makes a difference to my happiness. Image created with Canva Learning from Others I learn from non-autistic people how to Read more

  • What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Autism?

    I have read over the years about the best ways to treat, cure or prevent autism, from diet to not vaccinating children. When I have a good diet, I feel better, and when I feel better, my outlook on life is good. However, this does not cure my autism. What Causes Autism? The cause of 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. I told no one how I felt, and that I was having difficulties. Observing Others I have learned to socialise through watching my peers, focussing on what and how they Read more

  • Autistic Social Battery and Chatting

    Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay – edited by Louise. Small Talk, Banter and Gossip I am not into chatting for the sake of it. Don’t get me wrong, I love to speak to people and spend time with my friends, but after a few hours, I have had enough. Neurotypical people seem to chat Read more

  • The Strengths of Autistic Children

    It is important to focus on the strengths of autistic children rather than trying to get them to spend lots of time on activities they don’t find interesting. My Experiences of School When I was at school, the two main subjects were maths and English. I hated maths, and I hated the fact that I Read more

  • Autism and Emotions

    People with autism can have difficulty identifying 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

  • Coping Strategies for Burnout

    I wrote a post back in June at a time when I was getting close to burnout. You can read the post here: Burnout – My Autism Life After Diagnosis. I used different strategies to improve my situation. I am feeling better now, and not as exhausted as I was. It is also holiday time Read more

  • Autism and Literal Thinking

    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