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.

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

neurodiversity

  • Understanding Asperger’s Transition to Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Asperger’s syndrome (Asperger’s) is no longer a diagnosis. Now, it is part of ASD (autism spectrum disorder) or ASC (autism spectrum conditions). If I had received a diagnosis over five years ago, I would have been diagnosed with Asperger’s.   Today, they are no longer a separate diagnosis. The difference is that with Asperger’s there… 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

  • Understanding Autism vs ADHD: Key Differences Explained

    Autism and ADHD have overlapping traits, but they are not the same condition as explained by Dr Tracey Marks. They can co-occur, but they affect the brain in different ways. They are both distinct neurodevelopmental conditions, and it’s important to understand them, as they can both be misunderstood. Video by Dr Tracey Marks (embedded from… 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

  • Out of Sight, Out of Mind

    Out of sight, out of mind is something we all suffer from time to time. However, this is caused by executive function, memory and attention differences in the ADHD and Autism community, and it happens a lot more often. It is not the same as object permanence as a developmental stage in babies. For me,… 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

  • Autistic Women, Older Adults and Under-researched Groups

    Professor Francesca Happé, a researcher with over 30 years of experience in autism, uncovers hidden experiences of autistic women, older adults and under-researched groups. Video by The Hidden 20% (embedded from YouTube) Read more

  • Is Honesty the Best Policy?

    We can define honesty as a virtue, and ethics and integrity are some reasons we consider it in this way. However, is honesty the best policy? Why do people value honesty? When we are honest, we maintain trust in our relationships. If we are not, few of them would survive. This applies to friendships, romantic… Read more

  • The Missed Diagnosis Autism and ADHD

    A very interesting webinar to watch from Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D. It is about individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also having ADHD. Video by Help for ADHD (embedded from YouTube) Read more

  • Is Maintaining Eye Contact the Only Way to Connect?

    Why Do People Avoid Eye Contact? We are told that maintaining good eye contact when speaking is one of the fundamental ways we connect. However, eye contact can vary depending on different factors. For example, some cultures think that good eye contact when someone is talking can be disrespectful, rude or aggressive. Neurodivergent people with… Read more