Hi! New Here
Hi, I'm new to this site. I always suspected I was autistic, even though I'm currently undiagnosed right now. Growing up, I was able to communicate with people, but it always felt disconnected. I describe it as knowing how to talk to people but not quite connecting. I think it became harder for me the older I got. For years, all I read about was how autism presented in men, so I was very confused. Recently, I'd looked up autism in girls and the characteristics that one of the articles listed described many of my experiences accurately. I'm excited that there are resources available regarding women who are diagnosed with autism. I'm now 90% sure I'm autistic or at least exhibit many of the characteristics.
Welcome to AWN, Robin999! I appreciate your comment, "not quite connecting." I know that feeling well!
new to this site....grandson has aspergers and after his diagnosis I started questioning why? he seems perfectly normal to me. we have always been close and he is 10 now. funny but we do not talk that much, we are just so happy to be near each other. he has always loved legos and playing on the computer with me but we both lack social skills. meaning, we do not seem to need anyone. I have a few very close friends but my grown children are often mad at me. I read several other posts on here where people think you are mad, etc when you are not mad at all. my kids are always deciding what I am "thinking" and then they are mad about it and I have no idea what they are talking about. Some how I have managed to function quite well in the outside world but I cannot wait to get home, I live alone and have for 20 years, with the exception of my 16 year old dog, and it is a relief not to have to deal with anyone...but I do feel lonely sometimes..but I do not want someone around 24/7. I cannot wait for retirement. I plan on downsizing to a few of my most prized possessions, photos and seashells. I spend a lot of time in bed, reading, eating, crying, and wondering why?
Hi Calesnana. You sound like a woman after my own heart! Welcome!
Hi. I am new as of tonight and soooo understand what calesnana and many of you are saying. I retired early because I could not keep all the balls in the air. My daughter is autistic and almost 30. She is independent but not doing the work she trained to do. I have a few close friends, but get overwhelmed easily. Like my daughter,I have a hard time asking for help. I am single and feel fortunate to have my dog. He goes everywhere with me and I call him my Wellness Partner. Service dog doesn't sound or feel right. I struggle, but I am satisfied to be me and on this journey. It has been lonely until now. Thanks. Nyanna
you give me hope that there are other women out there that are struggling with the same problems....thank you for your comments and I would like to hear more from you!!! it helps to have someone else to talk to...my older sister is the only one that I can talk to but unfortunately I can tell she does not understand but she is a sweet listening ear.
This is very resonant for me. I also know how to communicate, but it mostly feels as if it's at one remove. It was only when I started reading firsthand the experiences of autistic women that I was able to identify myself as on the spectrum. As I've read more about 'running scripts' I've realised that this is what I do most of the time in social situations. I have always felt overwhelmed by emotion and drowning in empathy, so I couldn't relate to the image of autistic people generally presented in the media and by some 'experts' as 'trainspotters' obsessed with the kind of detail that as a dyspraxic with dyscalculia I don't even see. It's comforting to know that many women on the autistic spectrum also experience themselves as too emotionally tuned in and that autism encompasses all sorts of detail seeing (I see colour and line in intense detail) and many different forms of obsession (I've become obsessed with finding out about autism since I realised I was ln he spectrum). Welcome to the forum.