How will I feel after my autism diagnosis?

A guide for adults:

Finding out you are autistic can help you understand yourself better. It can show you your strengths and what you might need help with. How you feel about your diagnosis might depend on things like:

• What you already know about autism.
• Why you wanted the diagnosis.
• How much you already know about yourself.
• If you are getting the support you need.

Even if you’ve thought for a while that you might be autistic, getting a diagnosis can still feel surprising. You might have lots of questions or big feelings about it.

The process of getting a diagnosis can feel overwhelming because it often looks at challenges more than strengths. But remember, autism isn’t something that needs fixing. It’s a difference that makes you unique and should be celebrated.

Here’s some helpful information about the feelings you might have after your autism diagnosis and what you can do to process it.

How you might feel

• You might feel confused, unsure, or worried.
• You could feel relieved, happy, or like things make more sense now.
• There’s no right or wrong way to feel, and your feelings might change over time.
• Some people say they feel like they are on a rollercoaster after their diagnosis, but you might feel differently.

What you could do

• You might want to tell other people about your diagnosis. It’s your choice, but sharing can help. For example:
  • Telling friends, family, or coworkers can help them understand you better.
  • Telling your doctor (GP) can help you get more support if you need it.
  • Telling your employer means they can make changes to help you at work.
• You could connect with other autistic people who have been through similar experiences. There are lots of autism groups and networks, both in person and online, that you can join.
• Spending time learning about autism can also help. You might learn about myths and wrong ideas about autism and better understand your diagnosis. This can be especially helpful if you were diagnosed as an adult. Many people are diagnosed later because it can be harder to spot autism in some people.

Remember: There is lots of free support for you after your diagnosis. Many organisations, including Autism Anglia, can help you with advice, workshops, peer support, and other things like advocacy and benefits.