[Drummmmmrolllllll] I am Cindy.........
This is my first time to visit AWN --- I have been dying to find such a site.... I have 2 sons with Asperger Syndrome (23 & 17) and was just recently diagnosed with PDD-NOS myself.
Having children with an autistic syndrome, you would have thought that I would have been prepared for my diagnosis, but I wasn't. I have been reading and researching for years about such things, but is very different from the inside out...but that is not to say that I haven't had a great sense of relief knowing I wasn't just crazy (I have a couple psych diagnoses as well). I kid around and say that I have my papers (as with pedigreed dog LOL) so people can go ahead and think I am crazy!
I am 48, married, 3 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, fish....we live in Western NY. Before I quit working almost 2 yrs ago I worked as a nurse (RN). Had been in that field over 25 years, but it just got to be too much and I wigged out. Now some days I just take an hour at a time...if I try to bite off too much, I often choke on it.
It will be exciting for me to meet you all and interact and learn what you all can teach me. Why my psychologist finally came to this diagnosis, his first assignment for me was to read and learn about everything I could about being a woman with an autistic spectrum disorder.
See ya 'round! cindy
Welcome, Sweetcindylou! I also felt great relief to find this forum. I'm really grateful to be part of this community.
I was diagnosed last year, at 57. I'm in the process of reassessing my whole life, but the day of my diagnosis is a second birthday to me. I can navigate the NT world better now that I'm aware of this "different" mind of mine.
Welcome, Cindy! I was diagnosed in my early 40's (I'm 46 now) and I was not at all prepared either. It has been a good thing for me, however, and I do find that it has increased my awareness and understanding of who I am as a complete individual.
Again, welcome to AWN. I'm looking forward to your posts!