My Autism Life After Diagnosis

My Journal

ABOUT

My name is Louise. I was diagnosed with autism in my late forties.

This blog is my journey from late diagnosis, how I navigate the ups and downs of life, and the strategies I use to cope.

I also write about my lifestyle, my life experiences, and raising neurodiversity awareness.

Autism is a spectrum, and it can look different in each person. This is one way autism can present.

This blog is for reference and education only, and not professional advice. Please consult a specialist for diagnosis or support.

Please like, comment and subscribe. I would love to read your ideas, thoughts and opinions.

My Journal

  • Wishing You Peace and Joy in 2026

    I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and a blessed New Year. May it bring you all peace, joy and a fantastic 2026. Image by Waseem Ahmad from Pixabay Read more

  • Navigating Autism Disclosure: Personal Journeys

    There has been research on this topic, and disclosing autism is a choice and different for everyone. Many autistic adults struggle to tell others about their autism diagnosis, and this is for many reasons, such as worrying about the reaction of others. Many autistic adults can experience stigma when disclosing their diagnosis and fear that Read more

  • Understanding Asperger’s Transition to Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Asperger’s syndrome (Asperger’s) is no longer a diagnosis. Now, it is part of ASD (autism spectrum disorder) or ASC (autism spectrum conditions). If I had received a diagnosis over five years ago, I would have been diagnosed with Asperger’s.   Today, they are no longer a separate diagnosis. The difference is that with Asperger’s there Read more

  • Understanding ADHD vs Narcissism: Key Differences Explained

    I wanted to include another post about the difference between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcissism. ADHD can co-occur with autism in families. A family member can have autism and another ADHD, and another can have both autism and ADHD. It is unjust to say individuals with ADHD or autism are narcissistic, and it Read more

  • Understanding Autism vs ADHD: Key Differences Explained

    Autism and ADHD have overlapping traits, but they are not the same condition as explained by Dr Tracey Marks. They can co-occur, but they affect the brain in different ways. They are both distinct neurodevelopmental conditions, and it’s important to understand them, as they can both be misunderstood. Video by Dr Tracey Marks (embedded from Read more

  • Autism vs Narcissism: Clearing the Confusion of Different Conditions

    This is a short post about how autism spectrum disorder and narcissism are very different conditions. They have overlapping traits that can be confused. Narcissism Presentations show a lack of empathy, entitlement, grandiosity, manipulation, arrogance, excessive admiration, exploitation, and a desire for control. Autism Spectrum Disorder Presentations that vary between individuals include social and verbal Read more

  • Out of Sight, Out of Mind

    Out of sight, out of mind is something we all suffer from time to time. However, this is caused by executive function, memory and attention differences in the ADHD and Autism community, and it happens a lot more often. It is not the same as object permanence as a developmental stage in babies. For me, Read more

  • My Neurodivergent School Days: Was I Lazy?

    I love writing, which I can do very well, and I have excelled in music. These are the subjects I enjoy today. However, school was not an easy time in my life. It was about bullying, anxiety, humiliation and isolation. Image by Mazaya Bulan from Pixabay Selective Mutism At nursery and in my first year Read more

  • OCD and Autism: Key Insights and Challenges

    OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) can occur alongside autism. However, not everyone with OCD has autism, and not everyone with autism has OCD. The following livestreams contain research information about autism and OCD to help understand how these conditions overlap, the diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies. Videos by International OCD Foundation (embedded from YouTube) Read more

  • Autistic Women, Older Adults and Under-researched Groups

    Professor Francesca Happé, a researcher with over 30 years of experience in autism, uncovers hidden experiences of autistic women, older adults and under-researched groups. Video by The Hidden 20% (embedded from YouTube) Read more