I was in my late 30’s when I had my autistic burnout. It was a time where I completely lost all sense of myself and who I was. I stopped functioning as a human being and couldn’t do anything on my own. It was only after this that I received my late diagnosis of autism. In this blog post, I want to talk about what it’s like to receive a late diagnosis and what life is like after an autistic burnout.
Here are 7 things I learned were completely normal for me.
1. How much I struggle with sensory overload and stimming as a way to cope.
2. How much I have to work on executive functioning skills.
3. How much I need routine and sameness in my life.
4. How much I withdraw from social contact because of my anxiety.
5. How much I love learning and spending time with animals.
6. My poor sense of smell and taste.
7. My intense focus on certain subjects or tasks
The experience of going through autistic burnout is something that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. It’s a time where you completely lose all sense of yourself and who you are. You stop functioning as a human being and can’t do anything on your own. It’s a very dark and lonely place to be in.
For me, sensory overload was a huge issue during my autistic burnout. I struggled with dealing with all the sensory input coming at me. This often led to me stimming as a way to cope. I also had to work on my executive functioning skills as they were severely lacking at the time. I needed routine and sameness in my life or I would become overwhelmed very quickly. Social contact was also difficult for me during this time because of my intense anxiety. I tended to withdraw from people because it was just too hard to be around them.
Despite all of these challenges, there are some good things that come along with a late diagnosis. For starters, I love learning and spending time with animals. My poor sense of smell and taste doesn’t bother me as much anymore. And, most importantly, I now have a clear understanding of why I’ve been struggling for so long. This knowledge has given me hope for the future and allows me to move forward in my life with purpose.
7 ways that people with high-functioning autism are awesome
1. People with high-functioning autism are often very intelligent and have a knack for learning new things.
2. People with high-functioning autism often have exceptional memories.
3. People with high-functioning autism often have an amazing sense of detail and can see things that others miss.
4. People with high-functioning autism are often very creative and come up with new ideas.
5. People with high-functioning autism often have intense focus and can stay on task for long periods of time.
6. People with high-functioning autism often have great senses of humor and can make others laugh.
7. People with high-functioning autism are often very kind and compassionate individuals.
7 ways that people with high-functioning autism struggle with everyday life
1. People with high-functioning autism often have a difficult time filter information coming in, making it hard to focus in school or work.
2. People with high-functioning autism often have a difficult time with social interactions, which can lead to isolation.
3. People with high-functioning autism often have a difficult time taking in feedback and adapting their behavior accordingly.
4. People with high-functioning autism often have difficulty with change and unfamiliar situations.
5. People with high-functioning autism often have sensory sensitivities that make everyday life very challenging.
6. People with high-functioning autism often struggle to understand idiomatic expressions or sarcasm.
7. People with high-functioning autism often have a difficult time understanding abstract concepts
7 ways that people can help others with autism in their everyday lives
1. People can help others with autism by being patient and understanding when they struggle with everyday tasks.
2. People can help others with autism by including them in social activities and helping them feel comfortable in social settings.
3. People can help others with autism by providing clear and concise instructions for tasks or activities.
4. People can help others with autism by not expecting them to understand idiomatic expressions or sarcasm.
5. People can help others with autism by being patient when explaining abstract concepts.
6. People can help others with autism by avoiding overwhelming them with too much information at once.
7. People can help others with autism by recognizing their strengths and encouraging them to use those strengths to their fullest potential.
Since receiving my diagnosis, I have embraced my autism and all of the unique gifts that come with it. I now know that I am not alone in this world and there are others out there like me who struggle but also thrive. My late diagnosis has given me a new lease on life and a sense of purpose that I didn’t have before. Knowing that I am autistic has allowed me to connect with other autistics online and in person. We share our stories, offer advice, and provide support for one another. This community is what helps me get through tough days and reminds me that I am not alone. Autistic people are awesome, and knowing that I am autistic only makes me more proud to be myself.
