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Just found out that I'm autistic. 47 year old male. Don't know how to take it.

I'm in the process of getting the ball rolling for an official screening. Like any big life event, it takes time for things to process and sink in. You'll be ok though.

Welcome

I don't really know how to deal. My whole life has been messed up bad. I have a lot of questions. I tested for autism. Had really high scores. But I guess I'm considered high functioning. Don't feel like it though.

I'm not even sure how to use this website. I have never sought help this way.

Can anybody help? I just want to learn. I don't know what to do or how to handle this.

I don't even know how to use this website. Talk about being stuck in the past...

Point and click...anyway welcome

Welcome! It might take a bit to figure out everything.

There's a sub forum called "Getting to know each other" for new members to introduce themselves. A few sticky posts near the top will have useful information. Hope you find this place comfortable!

Being autistic means that you are different. Getting a diagnosis means that you are sufficiently different to have problems with jobs and relationships. Not just the normal struggles everyone has but far worse than everyone else.

How am I different? We don't know. Nor do we really want to know the details. Nor does your boss, to be honest.
Autism is far too complicated for normal people to deal with, unless they are your children, significant other, or close relative. If you need accommodations at work I'd suggest asking for what you need, without a detailed explanation.
There is a concept of don't ask don't tell. Sometimes the other partner in a business or social relationship would rather not know. There is also the concept of plausible deniability.

Seriously. A boss can spend all night Googling Autism and still not know how to help you. It is an invisible disorder.
I had a friend who had a serious infection and they had to amputate his legs. Not a problem! They never worked as long as I knew him so he had a special car and adaptive help all ready for him! What was different was that it was obvious he was disabled now!

You can read this forum and decide what may or may not apply to you.

I have trouble with loud noises in movie theaters. I now wear high fidelity earplugs! Some of us were noise cancelling headphones to get rid of the bothersome noise. Some don't have any trouble at all with loud noises.

I don't have an official diagnosis. Did you get a psychological assessment with your diagnosis?

Last edited by BTDT on 13 Sep 2025, 6:08 am, edited 1 time in total.

Howdy Howdy Howdy

Welcome to the Wrong Planet.

Welcome to wrong planet. hopefully you will get the hang of going to various places to click called Forums , might search those, the each one might have more links to "click on" for each and every interesting looking titles of "threads".
You may further Research about using the PM function ( Private Message) . Often times people whom are new to Autism
come to the realization that perhaps , a Understanding about why circumtances may have befallen you ? over the different parts & Points in your life. And possibly differening points of veiw , or experiences than others , appear to observe . best Wishes on your journey of self Discovery .

Welcome to WP! I hope you find it interesting.

My recommendation is: Don't Panic!

You've made it this far so far and the only thing that changed when you found out you were Autistic is that now you know you are Autistic.

Really, what changed?

Well...actually...one thing has changed: Now you know you are Autistic.

Now you can understand so much of your past and have a deeper understanding or yourself.

I do have two recommendations:

- Learn about Autism! But remember that every Autistic person is different so what you learn may or may not tell you much about yourself. It is an interesting topic, however, and learning about it might give you some ideas on how to improve your life.

- Explore Wrong Planet You might find some interesting things here (I did!).

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Hello and welcome. Take it one step at a time. I know it's cliche. But the first step is coming on this forum..which you have done

I'm sorry.
Meanwhile, welcome here.
You'll be fine.

It's not true that nothing changes if you know it, and so many other things written.

It changes: indeed.

You become aware of something that, very late, has opened your eyes to something you weren't aware of.

But you felt terrible, and now you feel terrible for having understood important things.

Meanwhile, in addition to being here, which is an excellent place, I could write to you, if I may, about hanging out with people like you, other people, as if to understand in real life what and how to do.

Here you can start discussions and ask anything that's important for you to understand.

Within the forum rules.

You'll get answers: you have to stay calm and not get anxious.

Resist it, and you'll benefit.

One step at a time.

Okay?

Read all the posts others have here.
There's helpful information in all of them.
*If you have trouble using the forum, ask the moderation team.
Use private messages and ask questions about how to use the forum.

*If you need help, I'll try to keep my replies short, to the best of my ability.
Please note my written English: it's not one of my best languages.