10 Things that have CHANGED since my ADULT Autism Diagnosis

Hi! I’m Claire, and this is my channel, Woodshed Theory. Here you will find the awkward ramblings of an adult autist. I love being creative and sharing my experiences with you. Subscribe to see more DIYs, Discussions, and Bunnies on your feed!
My life has changed a lot in the past two years since my Adult Autism Diagnosis. I thought I would go over a few ways things have changed for me because I know a lot of you are wondering if maybe you personally should pursue a diagnosis. I know it isn't for everyone, but for me I am so grateful I did it. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
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[@smicketysmoo]

Thank you for this one, Just started the whole diagnosis process (at 52) and have been finding the whole revelation/ self discovery process rather daunting and further triggering of mental health issues. This video helps extremely, just knowing that there may be some light at the end of this tunnel, that a happier existence beckons, is quite a relief.

[@faeriesmak]

I am currently in the process of a diagnosis but I feel the same way that you described. I am 47 and my 15 year old son was diagnosed recently. It’s rather indescribable to discover that you are not who you thought that you were…..but that you also sort of always knew you were at the same time. Good luck on your journey!

[@WoodshedTheory]

You are so welcome. Yes there are still struggles to be sure but there really is a happier existence in my experience. I wish you all the good times and feelings.

[@julie8234]

Same here at 48

[@smicketysmoo]

@@julie8234 Finally got my official Dx this week. Now processing and wondering what next? Hope that your journey goes well and good luck! 😊🤞

[@katyjean862]

I'm 42 years old and freshly diagnosed. I've been gravitating toward your content quite a bit because You are addressing the topics and that I want to know about in these first literal days post adult diagnosis. I'm so pleased that things have been going well for you. Claire, and grateful for your content. Keep sparkling.

[@WoodshedTheory]

You are too sweet! I know how hard it is to be freshly diagnosed - I felt like I was in a fog for ages, just know you are welcome here.

[@katmaria3335]

It was such a relief when I was diagnosed. I've struggle my whole life and sometimes life has felt so overwhelmingly hard and knowing that I was trying to function as a neurotypical when I'm not is where a majority of the difficulty was. I didn't get any help or diagnosis as a kid so that was really hard and something I've been mourning. But I am where I am today and I've been a lot easier on myself while I'm getting to learn how I best function. I still struggle with executive dysfunction but I'm making leaps and bounds in other areas. It's easier to communicate now and I feel heard and valid. I don't have much of a support system so that's tough especially since I'm a single mom. But diagnosis was one of the best parts of my life! I feel free to be 100% myself and take the mask off.

[@WoodshedTheory]

Kat I am so happy to have you here sharing. I know that I am still mourning my undiagnosed life too. I'm not sure I will ever be over it, but maybe I shouldn't ever be over it. It's an important part of our history and perhaps the fuel I need to continue my advocacy.

[@vaasnaad]

I think for me the freedom would be that I can take the things I struggle with in dealing with this strange world and stop beating myself up with them. It's been over 50 years, it's okay to just call it like it is. My brain just doesn't work that way, and that's perfectly okay. People could start meeting ME in the middle for a change.

[@WoodshedTheory]

That is a good point!

[@FreehandlyMadeAuCrochet]

I'm definitely happier in a lot of ways, and my identity crisis is cured... I couldn't figure out who I really was due to all the "masking". I am still having great difficulty in friendships... I still tend to be the "missing in action" friend and have a hard time connecting with people. I was diagnosed at age 43.

[@WoodshedTheory]

I totally get you with this. I still have issues with maintaining friendships. Sometimes I have to remind myself to check in after a few weeks.

[@deltatranslation7288]

Please keep this up!! You’ve helped me realize a lot about ASD through the lens of an undiagnosed adult

[@WoodshedTheory]

Thanks Delta always nice to see you in the comments. Hope you are well.

[@bducore]

Being diagnosed (age 39) was such a huge relief- it explained my life and everything clicked into place. I can now be more compassionate with myself and give myself a break about being autistic in a NT world. Thank you so much for your channel! Every autistic voice helps.

[@WoodshedTheory]

Thanks for your comment Rebecca, your comment and support is helping me a lot. Gosh I understand that feeling of clarity when finally getting the diagnosis.

[@madcow3417]

"Imagine not knowing that you are speaking a different language." Thanks Claire, you just gave me the subject of my next nightmare :p I received an unofficial diagnosis a decade ago. I kind of blew off Asperger's as a personality type and didn't really investigate. I was getting by fine until anxiety hit like a ton of brick a couple years ago. I didn't know what my anxiety triggers were, and I didn't know how I was masking (and now failing to mask) autism. I started stimming in public, which of course adds to social anxiety. It took me a while to sort it all out. For the most part if something makes me unreasonably angry it's an autism thing. If it makes me anxious, anxiety. If my arms are moving, autism. If my legs are moving, anxiety. I learned what masking I was doing and I'm learning which masks to keep up and which to drop to limit anxiety. It would have been a lot easier if I had figure out the whole autism thing ahead of time. Thanks in part to alexithymia I really screwed up the whole "know thyself" thing. Learn from my mistakes, figure yourself out now while you can.

[@WoodshedTheory]

yes my goal is to have my videos induce nightmares and keep people up at night lol

[@strictnonconformist7369]

@@WoodshedTheory everyone needs a hobby!🤣🤣🤣

[@ScullyPopASMR]

I'm listening. My autistic son is almost seventeen now.

[@WoodshedTheory]

Thanks friend - he is lucky to have a supportive parent.

[@buttercxpdraws8101]

I was just feeling super blue and your video popped up. Thank you 🙏 😘

[@WoodshedTheory]

Happy to brighten your day. You are such a good support system to me, please don't forget it!

[@nunyerbizness9598]

When I self-diagnosed, I did not really expect there to be many benefits. Time and again I have been pleasantly surprised. If I did not see all these benefits, I'd likely seek an official diagnosis. The biggest surprise and benefit for me is communication. I think of and often explain autism as difference in thought and language. When people know I don't speak nt fluently, it is usually no longer an issue. They learn to speak in ways I understand and learn to interpret what I say. I don't think they even try or are aware but are simply wired to do so in ways we are not. Some are very good at it. This in turn helps me learn their language as well.

[@WoodshedTheory]

What a great comment. Yes the communication clarification has helped me so much.

[@faeriesmak]

Fantastic comment!

[@sarahhernandez5425]

I just found your content thanks to Orion Kelly! I really relate to this video. I just got my diagnosis of ASD and confirmation of GAD(at 28) earlier this month. I was thinking this morning how much healthier I am now, with my diagnosis and with my year and a half of research on autism. I've changed a lot of things in my life, and my marriage of 3 years is already improving with this knowledge. Even if it's only self-diagnosis, I think learning that you're autistic has more positive effects than negative. Looking forward to watching more of your content, thanks!

[@WoodshedTheory]

Sarah I am glad that you are able to appreciate the good things about diagnosis. Sometimes it’s hard to see it in the moment

[@DarronBirgenheier]

Good morning!

[@WoodshedTheory]

Hello there! Good morning!

[@GemmasJourneyGrace]

amazing , brilliant as always my USA Sis love you xxx

[@WoodshedTheory]

love you girl! great work this month with your videos.

[@SB_McCollum]

Carrying ableist weight - totally a thing, and it takes a while to understand and give it up. (Just turned 61, diagnosed 2 years ago. Still processing it daily.)

[@WoodshedTheory]

Happy to have you here

[@9crutnacker985]

Go Claire ! 🤸‍♀✨💃👏🤸‍♂🤸

[@WoodshedTheory]

thanks my friend!

[@julie8234]

I received my dx last June. Early days for me, it's a rollercoaster of processing. I'm not having a good time at the moment, but hoping to ride it out. Thank you for your videos

[@WoodshedTheory]

It’s really hard we are here for you

[@FreehandlyMadeAuCrochet]

You got this Claire and you are becoming an advocate warrior!!!! Much Love!!!!!

[@WoodshedTheory]

Yay, happy to have you here!

[@shawnaford5540]

Just diagnosed in May, age 61 and no idea of ASD. I came to the assessment due to TRD and finally a new therapist picked up on my autism. I am hoping my depression will become easier to mange with more autistic sensitive treatment. Yet still getting surprises as I am just days from learning that I had / have no idea who I am due to subconsciously masking. To put it another way I have no idea who I am. ( I know I am still me -but perspective has changed so much I have yet to separate myself from the mask. This feels like a dark secret that needs to exposed and it is unknown scary. So early days, some have hope and other days are more confusion. This information is soothing as your experience is over time is encouraging. Just what I needed to watch today.

[@WoodshedTheory]

Hi Shawna so happy to have you, I hope you stick around. I understand how overwhelming the diagnosis process can be.

[@dsiev27]

There’s someone a few comments up also 61 & diagnosed! 💕

[@florinadaragiu6714]

Hi, Claire! For about a year I suspected that I was autistic, during this time I struggled a lot, and now I have been officially diagnosed (age 35). Through the official diagnosis I feel that a heavy curtain has lifted from me and a great relief. Ever since I discovered you, Claire, you've been a real support. Thanks for what you do! 🥰

[@WoodshedTheory]

Thanks for being here Florina I felt a great relief as well

[@jamdeeder]

My mother says that I was diagnosed as a child, she was told that eventually I would need to be institutionalized ..so she took me home and began painstakingly conditioning me to adapt, cope and mask and just pretended that I was going to be normal presenting. so my diagnosis got lost.. and my life has been an overwhelming exhausting disappointing frustrating continual struggle ever since. Now with so much social acceptance happening finally for ASD and supports being put into place I wonder how my life could have been different and how far I could have gone had it been acknowledged and accepted. I truly hope that the generation coming up behind me is being treated better.

[@WoodshedTheory]

Oh wow Deirdre you have some story I am glad you shared it here. I know a lot of people went through similar and I’m so sorry. I hope things are going better and you feel comfortable here :)

[@NiinaSKlove]

I’ve carefully and awkwardly (😅) tried to tell a few people close to me about my autism diagnosis that I got a few years ago (in my late 30s) but they’re all like: Aw, we’re all a bit autistic. Or - No way! You’re not autistic, - I’ve seen autistic people (read: autistic boys) and You’re not like that. Or - well, you *are* not your diagnosis. Ugh 😩 I mean, sure. I am more than “just a diagnosis.” I do have my own personality of course. But (!) being on the autism spectrum comes with a lot of different things that are not normal to NT’s, and to me it’s a big deal, actually, to be validated for who I am, also as an autistic person. Yes, I can do a lot of stuff that NT’s can do. However there’s a lot of things I really struggle with (!) due to my autism diagnosis. At the end of the day, I just want those around me to know that as much as I want to do some of the things they can do, I just can’t. That’s just the reality of things. I can do other cool things, just not some of the things that they are able to do. I love my friends and family ❤️ but I honestly think some of them don’t get it. I think some of them are so stuck in this old mindset, where people with autism are boys obsessed with train and mathematical geniuses… And while those people certainly do exist, I am not a boy, nor a mathematical genius or obsessed with trains. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Anyways guess this was a little rant, love your videos, and the community on this channel ❤️❤️❤️

[@WoodshedTheory]

I did a video on what not to say to autistic people, pretty sure “everyone is a little autistic” is at the top of the list 😂

[@1976Copper]

Thank you. A helpful & hopeful presentation. I've been embarking on this self-understanding in my very early 50s (after a few years of letting the self-recognition percolate and surface); Autism was the missing key and the dx that makes sense and accounts for the most data; my whole life makes sense now, and this is already making more difference than I could have imagined.

[@WoodshedTheory]

Isn't it insane how the autism dx changes everything?

[@raesyarnaddiction]

Thanks for the video.

[@WoodshedTheory]

thanks for the comment ;)

[@madberry]

Now that I got my diagnosis last year I can finally start giving my life some more meaning with autism in mind. In the past I would have just sped run all of this but I’m taking it slow. Getting a part time job. I re-did the garden last year and made it exactly like I wanted. Put stuff in place to better cope with burnouts and meltdowns. Slowly but surely I’m getting there. This is the sixth for today I have to go check on my slow cooker Barbacoa it’s Wednesday today so taco Tuesday night tonight (makes me chuckle every time I say that on Wednesday.).

[@WoodshedTheory]

ummm I want some barbacoa tacos mmmm

[@MsLisa551]

I'm proud of you. You're doing a fabulous job supporting others. I'm on my a very delayed journey with my diagnosis Audhd. Life is colorful these days. ❤

[@philipswann9753]

Yay!

[@WoodshedTheory]

Yay it's a Philip Yay!

[@jimmersize]

Yes to all that you’re doing. Scratch that. A series of high fives from a line of kids riding past on neon BMX bikes. Keep following your instincts; they are great.

[@WoodshedTheory]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@roybirch4141]

Thanks! I am seeing a psyciatrist for first time next week, and l am nervous. However, watching ur videos has helped me already and l have a better sense of control over myself. I have to work out how to manage workplace (hospital) medical post better. Thanks again.

[@WoodshedTheory]

I was so nervous too

[@CathyThwing]

You did find and create a great community! I really like your list. You selected such leveraged points to mention!

[@WoodshedTheory]

Thanks Cathy

[@JoshuaTheTransitProdigy]

**51st like and I just subscribed** After my diagnosis almost a decade ago, it changed my life a lot. I just turned 30 in January yet I'm still learning how everybody functions.

[@WoodshedTheory]

I'm happy to have you here! I'm still learning to function too - I hope we can help each other :)

[@JoshuaTheTransitProdigy]

@@WoodshedTheory You're too awesome for this world. **(hugs)**

[@WoodshedTheory]

That’s so kind thanks!

[@PuttingOnTheFoil]

I really appreciate your videos. It's a huge thing to just open up on social media. I'm mostly anti-social and anonymous on social media. How much of the change would you say is just due to having the diagnosis and better understanding of yourself versus work you have done since? I can see that a lot would change just with the understanding, but I wouldn't expect that to do everything. I am really at the beginning of the road in this sense (self-diagnosed).

[@WoodshedTheory]

I would sat 90% or more of my changes if the past few years has be because of the diagnosis. It gave me so much assurance and confidence.

[@FirstmaninRome]

Amen. great video. I just heard that chris rock has been diagnosed with a non verbal learning disorder. His friend thought he had aspergers, and went on diagnosed non verbal learning disordered, and he is the king of comedy, most consistently funny comedian of that last 30 years.

[@FirstmaninRome]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rH-khWWhhdSdgdU

[@WoodshedTheory]

That’s interesting!

[@Stellaaahmanella]

Love your hair colour!

[@WoodshedTheory]

Thanks its lunar tides

[@kellyschroeder7437]

Figure things out and lead the perfect life - yup 💞👊

[@WoodshedTheory]

I wish it were easy

[@michelelovesbooks]

I relate with many of the things that you mentioned. You said that now that you know why you were not great at staying organized and keeping house, you are able to combat it and have become much better at it. Can I ask how you combat it and how you’ve become much better at it?

[@WoodshedTheory]

Mostly from my list making that has helped the most with remembering to clean things.

[@sharonagoren6751]

Maybe it has to do with generally feeling happier and more in-control. I know that would motivate me to keep my house better. I admit, I require motivations for this purpose. When there's a whirlwind inside the motivation drops drastically.

[@Chloe1sylvester1234]

I have Aspergers I think it sucks having it. I am far more switch on about why people behave and say things, then the average person with Autism but not completely self ware. This can be very difficult when people just say a seem think like "Dont do that?" I treat it like they are having a go at me. Being diagnosed with Aspies may of helped but it has encouraged me to masked 90% of the time. At least I am able to hold down a full time job. Unfortunely for me being conflicted with not fully understanding why people behave like they do, I developed a defence mechanism of dealing with people I dont know by avoiding confrontation at all cost. Unfortunately I do get angry with myself and feel I should of said something to them when I havent.

[@WoodshedTheory]

Thank you for sharing - I totally get why it sucks having it sometimes.

[@librarian1701-D]

on Communication: How did you figure out how to speak neurotypicalese, how do you know what people are looking for in a conversation, and what their needs are, how do you understand people better? How does a diagnosis help this or how did you learn. I want to understand this too. I want to have friends. How did you find or make friends? I meant to say thank you for this video and your channel.

[@WoodshedTheory]

these are great questions - i will write it down on my videos list so we can address them

[@librarian1701-D]

@@WoodshedTheory ♥

[@anjachan]

didn't know it was depression. oh yes ... I know that feeling too.

[@WoodshedTheory]

ugh it is terrible to think back to

[@cav3mancannabis]

I am 30 years old and just got diagnosed with ASD with several comorbidities just last summer. And if I were to be honest I can't explain what was worse being in a neurotypical world while being autistic without knowing it or now knowing that I'm autistic and being told oh no you're not or letting everyone know that I'm autistic and trying to reach out to services and resources to try and get some assistance and being denied anyway saying I don't qualify cuz I'm too high functioning so just suck it up and get a job which is what I was told just last night by the company that was supposed to be rendering in-home services for me. So it hasn't really helped me yet because nobody wants to listen or believe that I am and when they do believe it then they tell me to try and help them understand but when I send them KZbin videos such as your own they then return back with oh I don't have time to watch a video why don't you just tell me. But if they were to watch the video they would understand why I can't tell them. Being high masking with a high IQ and considered high functioning what a joke makes them think that I can do things that I just can't or because they see me do it once they assume I can do it every 5 seconds when in actuality I did it once and might not be able to do it again for the next 5 or 6 weeks if at all. So I'm really glad that there are autistic people out there that have had a different story than me. Because I got failed by the foster care system and have been pretty much homeless since I got out of foster care. And I keep going all these places that claimed to offer resources and I present my autism diagnosis which is a 36 page report. But every single time they say they don't know how to help me that I don't qualify whether or not going to give me help and then I need to go find someone who will. But in the same sentence that they're over there denying me services they're also complaining that they are trying to force the same resources down other people's throats who don't want them and that they feel like they're just wasting their time when they're denying someone who qualifies and wants the help. So I don't know which world was worse knowing I'm autistic and still being shuttled to the side or not knowing I'm autistic and still being shuttled to the side.

[@WoodshedTheory]

I’m really sorry you are going through this! Having what people call “low support” needs is really hard because people take it as no support needs

[@BCSchmerker]

+WoodshedTheory *Viewing this vid 10 months post hoc, for the first time: Ye benefitted from lessons learned since I's in school.* Those lessons weren't backported to the elderly subset o' the Spectrum. As one o' the first primary-school subjects of autism studies, I's hamstrung from the get-go. Unable to learn the fundamentals of interpersonal relations. Lucky that I recently discovered the research of Drs. Gutstein and Sheely.

[@WoodshedTheory]

Thanks for always sharing great resources

[@kittielune9537]

What did you do or learn that helped you make these improvements?

[@WoodshedTheory]

I think a lot of it started when I went into treatment for my OCD

[@sarahcauer88]

💛

[@WoodshedTheory]

Thank you Sarahli

[@alexadellastella5247]

that's interesting cos on the contrary to you, since the diagnosis, I feel better with myself but I feel I cannot with neurotypicals anymore and since I don't wanna camouflage as much I feel very isolated and cannot communicate with neurotypicals anymore.... the opposite of you then... How do you manage to not mask and get what you need in contexte such as official ones, seeing doctors, administrative places etc and even with just people ? I'm curious since when I'm truly me, I have noticed many people don't like it....

[@WoodshedTheory]

Hi Alexa I get it - unmasking is difficult esp when around people you have known for a while - they tend not to like it cause that isn't how you were acting before

[@soskika419]

Warm regards from Brazil 🌷🐾❤️🐢🐛🦋🍋🥥🌺🐠💐🏖️💐🌴🌳🌴🐍🐢🐊🌹🐞🍍🍋🌽🌻🌅🌈💜🐝💐🌴🍄🐸🐰🌿🦊⛱️🌄⛈️☔🐵🐺🐶🐗🐮🐆🐎🐄🐖🐂🐃🐏🐑🦔🐦🐓🦉🦅🦐🦀🦑🐙🐡🦂🐞🐌🕷️🕸️🦆🦃

[@WoodshedTheory]

Hello

[@kellyschroeder7437]

Yes really really hard. 💞💙👊.

[@WoodshedTheory]

Agreed

[@heedmydemands]

Just wanna say I love your hair, what's the name of the colour?

[@WoodshedTheory]

This one I believe is Lunar Tides Juniper Green

[@heedmydemands]

@@WoodshedTheory omg the name sounds super cool. I've been thinking of dying my hair for much longer than I think people generally do lol. I want to go green but maybe purple but that colour looks great

[@passaggioalivello]

I don't know why, but KZbin deleted my comment. So sad.

[@WoodshedTheory]

That sucks I didn’t do it!

[@passaggioalivello]

@@WoodshedTheory I know, I try to post it again, if I can.