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

mental-health

  • Finding Value in Life: Lessons from Everyday Moments

    Every morning, I sit with my coffee and gaze out my window at the view. It is time to be alone and gather my thoughts for the day ahead. I always wonder why we rush around the way we do. There seems to be no time to think. Life is just a race to see Read more

  • Understanding Autism: Comorbidities vs Pure Autism

    Autism plus refers to an autistic individual with comorbidities, while autism pure refers to individuals with autism that have no comorbidities. People use comorbidity and co-occurring conditions interchangeably in casual conversation, but a comorbidity can be diagnosed separately from autism, and are two or more distinct diagnoses, and a co-occurring condition occurs alongside autism. Autism Read more

  • Understanding ADHD vs Narcissism: Key Differences Explained

    I wanted to include another post about the difference between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcissism. ADHD can co-occur with autism in families. A family member can have autism and another ADHD, and another can have both autism and ADHD. It is unjust to say individuals with ADHD or autism are narcissistic, and it Read more

  • Autism vs Narcissism: Clearing the Confusion of Different Conditions

    This is a short post about how autism spectrum disorder and narcissism are very different conditions. They have overlapping traits that can be confused. Narcissism Presentations show a lack of empathy, entitlement, grandiosity, manipulation, arrogance, excessive admiration, exploitation, and a desire for control. Autism Spectrum Disorder Presentations that vary between individuals include social and verbal Read more

  • My Neurodivergent School Days: Was I Lazy?

    I love writing, which I can do very well, and I have excelled in music. These are the subjects I enjoy today. However, school was not an easy time in my life. It was about bullying, anxiety, humiliation and isolation. Image by Mazaya Bulan from Pixabay Selective Mutism At nursery and in my first year Read more

  • The Benefits of a Substance-free Lifestyle

    What is a substance-free lifestyle? A substance-free lifestyle is a lifestyle choice where a person lives their life without the use of substances that alter their mind in negative ways that are likely to harm them. Examples of substances are alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs, as well as prescription drugs (used in a way that Read more

  • My Brain with No Off Switch, and I Need to Rest

    My brain goes all the time. It is like I don’t have an off switch for it to stay quiet. Endless thoughts going around my head, and it is really tiring. I know that for me rest is very important, but I am not very good at stopping. However, I have written some reasons why Read more

  • 10 Reasons to Start Living a Simple Life

    What are the benefits of living a simple life? Life today is so fast, and you will often find yourself locked in a world with distractions and clutter. Mindful living creates more free time, so you can prioritise your health, have more meaningful relationships and improve your finances. Image by Thomas Breher from Pixabay Reduce Read more

  • The Pros and Cons of an Autism Diagnosis

    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

  • Is Everyone on the Autistic Spectrum?

    I often hear comments that people make about ‘everyone being on the spectrum’, or ‘a little bit autistic’. I don’t think people say this to be nasty, but it is just a lack of understanding about the condition. After all, I used to think this way too. The answer to this is no. I was Read more