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 awareness about neurodiversity.

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

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  • Autism and Underemployment

    I am very grateful that I have always held down a job. However, many jobs that I have had over the years have not fully utilised my skills. I had worked for many years as an instrumental music teacher. My qualifications are to teach students one-to-one, the flute and the piano. I couldn’t cope with 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

  • Letting Go of Conflict

    I have had my share of conflict over the years. The issue is, conflict with others isn’t productive, especially if it lasts over a long period. It is fine to have disagreements and misunderstandings. Conflict is normal in relationships, but when people drag it out without finding a solution, there is no point in it. Read more

  • Disability or Difference

    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

  • What I Wish For

    Learning something new is so straightforward if you find the correct resources. I love to learn, and I like to research new topics. Getting the correct information before discussing something is important to me. I don’t want to insult anyone, and I hate disrespecting people. If I do it, it is unintentional. Image by Ennaej Read more

  • Resilience

    Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay Everyone faces challenges we have to overcome. However, until you know what it is really like to cope with the demands of life and having limitations, you don’t learn to have the same resilience. Autism is a daily challenge. I have problems with confidence and self-worth. Even when I have Read more

  • Seeking a Diagnosis

    There are many reasons people seek a diagnosis if they think they might be autistic. For me, I had gone through a difficult patch. I had developed hyperthyroidism (Graves Disease) and we had just come through a pandemic. I always had anxiety, but now it was coming in waves and affecting my life more than Read more

  • From the Beginning

    Autism was a condition I knew nothing about and as I was born in the mid seventies, I heard very little about it when I was young. My first awareness of autism was when my son was diagnosed at the age of four. He not only had autism, but learning difficulties too. I faced so Read more