Recently a good friend of mine received a diagnosis after 4 years of waiting. I won’t say whom or what their diagnosis was as that is their private information, however I am happy they received a diagnosis they have been waiting a long time for.

This then created an interesting conversation around being diagnosised and why is it so important to have this diagonsis? so I am going to share some of the reasons we discussed and more with you guys! 

Validation. This is why most of us deal with the waiting lists, the awkward assessments. To get that validating information that all these years we aren’t crazy and didn’t make up having these issues.

Understanding. This one is harder to process. This is understanding of that is why you struggled with friendships, struggled to make or keep relathionships, or stuggled in school. Understanding that my autism was why all of this was always so hard. Understanding that it’s never going to be easy and this is you like it always has been.

Unmasking. For most of us late diagnosed neurodivergents we struggle to understand what is being our true selves and what is our autism and what is our mask we put on? These are definately questions I am still battling with, almost 2 years after receiving a diagnosis.

Greiving. Yes greif can happen for more then death of a loved one. We grieve for unstanding that the failed friendships, relationships and the struggles we had in school, all had a reason we wish we know earlier. We also grieve for the struggles we will continue to have with friendships and relationships and life.

Access to services. Now the diagnosis is on paper we can access specialist assistance, therapy services or access to medication and various other things. I will admit though I am bad for advocating for myself and don’t do this, but that is a different blog post to come later.

All of these reasons, the validation, the understanding and the grieving process all add to to a mix of emotions, getting a diagnosis can be overwhelming and alot to process. It is okay if it takes some time.