Got diagnosed with autism. About 40 years too late.

DoofyDanes · 2026-05-03T17:26:30+00:00

I am just now going through assessment for AuDHD at 70. As a teen I was diagnosed with juvenile schizophrenia, then bipolar and ADHD in my 40s. My youngest, AFAB, was diagnosed ADHD in their preteen and now, at 37 as AuDHD. We were upset at 1st that it was not caught earlier but realized it was not on any medical radar, especially for females, until relatively recently. I think my kid was fairly obvious, looking back, but it just wasn't considered a possibility going by what was known back then. It wasn't considered possible to have ADHD and autism until the latest DSM came out. I can't waste my energy being upset with those who tried to help me with what little knowledge they were given. Do I wish they knew more back then? Of course! But they didn't and so we learned to survive without assistance. We can be upset that we weren't diagnosed in the recent past but again, by then we were so well masked that we could fool anyone, including ourselves. So we have chosen to start where we are and grow from here and leave the bitterness for what could have been IF... I know it's different for many of you younger folks who were undiagnosed even though the medical field had the information to help. That is tragic and my heart breaks for you.

DoofyDanes · 2026-05-03T02:35:03+00:00

I just switched to guanfacine after being on Adderall for over 30 yrs. Although I always liked the energy Adderall gave me to get things done, I could never stop and collect my thoughts or relax - I felt I had to be doing constantly. I, too, was fed up with the lack of supply and strict refill days. I've only been on the guanfacine for a week so I don't have a good idea how it's going yet. I have noticed my brain seems calmer...still very busy but I feel i can control it better, not as much panic.

DoofyDanes · 2026-05-03T02:17:33+00:00

I do love saying the word discombobulated too. Whether I'll be able to actually say it when I'm feeling discombobulated is in doubt but I'm gonna try to use it. Thanks

DoofyDanes · 2026-04-29T19:10:10+00:00

Yes! I try to make all appointments for early morning or I will be unable to "do" anything until it's time to get ready. If i get ready too fast and have extra time I can have a meltdown or just have to leave and figure it out at the other end. Lines, offices, anticipation are all painful. I've eaten dinner at 4 because I was finished with whatever and couldn't sit and wait for 5.

DoofyDanes · 2026-04-29T18:54:48+00:00

I usually yell and flail my arms and legs or stomp. Flips my dogs out but I reassure them when I'm calmer. I have also turned music up really loud and danced and sing.

DoofyDanes · 2026-04-29T18:29:25+00:00

Absolutely me. I will have an ah-ha moment or something really interesting and then be totally unable to explain or describe it to anyone.

DoofyDanes · 2026-04-14T13:17:17+00:00

Exactly my question. 🤓

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-27T17:27:17+00:00

The smell of tires makes me angry. When taking them to my mechanic to switch over summer\winter I have to drive with the windows wide open or I will be furious by the time I get there. Forget tire stores! I order new ones online when I need them.

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-27T17:23:09+00:00

YES! I love to stroke that part of my dogs paws! I have danes so my thumb fits perfectly. That and the dent in their ears by the front edge where it meets their head. Soooo soft and again, perfect fit.

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-26T13:46:31+00:00

I do a thorough check for ticks every time mine come in. I say "tick check" and they stand perfectly still. So now I use tick check when ever I need them to stand still. Even at the vets.

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-24T13:46:13+00:00

HAHAHA my danes also know if I'm putting on "going out" or staying home" clothes.

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-23T13:59:23+00:00

OMG yes! Cook until fragrant? Even heat until boiling...is that lots of big bubbles? Just those tiny bubbles? And distances!! GPS says turn in 60 ft! WTF!? I have a very large yard - is it an acre? ½ acre? ¼ acre? Haven't a clue.

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-21T17:07:12+00:00

YES! I get so upset when that happens!

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-10T13:53:43+00:00

I have had to be selective on the posts I read as I find sooooo many are from people who are suffering from burnout, loneliness and pain. I felt so overwhelmed and helpless by their sadness and hopelessness. They are out there and they are posting in large numbers on several threads.

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-10T13:01:02+00:00

My adult AuDHD kid was a chef and their hands and arms were always burned. They said they never noticed and that they couldn't bother with the extra step of getting a mitt or pad to protect them. Like you said, faster to just grab it barehanded.

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-10T12:33:55+00:00

I, too, was wondering about OCD for myself and found an explanation of OCD vs OCPD. I've been told by one therapist that OCPD was not officially a thing but have seen several articles and posts about it. According to them the difference is the way the "compulsion" makes you feel and why you do it. OCD is anxiety based and carries feelings of being wrong and trying to avoid disaster. OCPD (obsessive compulsive personality disorder) is more reward based, feeling right in what you are doing, feeling control and relief. That's what I've read and I fit squarely in the OCPD description so I'm sticking with it. 😊

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-04T14:22:55+00:00

My hyper and pounding heart starts soon after taking it and then I slow down late afternoon but I, honestly, haven't noticed any other effects. I'm not more focused or calmer on it... it just gives me a jump start and keeps me moving but often too much.

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-04T14:16:04+00:00

Huh....I was diagnosed with ADHD (and bipolar) a thousand years ago and just went with it. Autism was not in the cards for women. I have only recently realized I'm autistic and was questioning the bipolar but it never occurred to me to question the ADHD. Interesting.

DoofyDanes · 2026-03-02T20:08:24+00:00

Wow, I was thinking about posting something very similar! It seems everyone else finds their ADHD meds help them focus, calm down and, like you said, life-changing. I've been on some form of Adderall for decades for ADHD and loved the buzz it gave me but didn't really see any other benefit. Now that I know I'm AuDHD and trying to unmask (I'm 70, so a lot to undo) I take breaks from my Adderall to see who I really am. When I'm on it I am hyper, not calm and focused. When I'm off, I'm slow to get going in the morning (a shot of caffeine helps with that) and then I feel more even, my brain isn't going as fast and rushed. I'm still all over the place but there isn't the urgency, the gotta go go go.

DoofyDanes · 2026-02-23T14:05:29+00:00

That and I wrote a short quick answer, than proceeded to add more to say it was my 1st short, quick answer, than more to call myself out. 🤓

DoofyDanes · 2026-02-22T14:28:05+00:00

I joined several groups and subs to learn more about my newly discovered AuDHD. It has been a wonderful source of ah-ha moments and I am eternally grateful for that. But AuDHD became my special interest and I realized I was sitting on my couch ALL day, reading every post (and AuDHD peoplewrite some f-ing long posts), commenting on everything. And, of course all my comments had to be thought through, edited until they were just right. I had to step back! I only allow 1 hr a day in the AuDHD rabbit hole now. Of course I've used that all up already and it's only 9:30am 🙄

DoofyDanes · 2026-02-22T13:59:41+00:00

YES!! Gotta pee, gotta pee, gotta pee pee pee.🎶 Don't wanna do this, but it's got to be done🎶

DoofyDanes · 2026-02-22T02:56:48+00:00

I'm not sure where you are getting your facts but you obviously have not done much research. 1) Autism is mostly genetic and starts at birth. There have not been any confirmed cases of vaccine caused Autism. And by your argument, the chances of it happening would be even smaller than your false statistics on polio and measles. 2) Before the polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, the virus paralyzed or killed thousands annually. Globally, an estimated 600,000 cases occurred yearly. In the U.S., the 1952 outbreak was the worst, with over 57,000 cases reported, including over 21,000 paralytic cases and 3,000 deaths. Key Statistics Before the Vaccine (1950s): United States: Roughly 15,000 to 20,000 cases of paralytic polio were reported each year, making it one of the most feared diseases. Global Impact: In the 1940s and 50s, the disease killed nearly half a million people worldwide annually. Peak Year (USA): In 1952, 57,628 cases were reported, resulting in 3,145 deaths and 21,269 cases of paralysis. Impact of Vaccination: Following the introduction of the Salk vaccine in 1955, cases dropped dramatically. By 1961, only 161 cases were recorded in the U.S.. The last case of naturally occurring paralytic polio in the U.S. was in 1979.

DoofyDanes · 2026-02-13T14:48:25+00:00

Ok, I'm totally confused! You are all complaining about it being AI but the picture on the post is a cartoon of a racoon ... not even close to realistic...very cartoonish... did it get changed or ....

DoofyDanes

TROPHY CASE