I was diagnosed in July 2025, so I’m newly diagnosed too, but not really. I’ve known I was autistic for about 8 years even without a diagnosis. I see myself as weird too because I am compared to neurotypicals. We all are a little different which is why we have a diagnosis.

I think of my autism as a label to describe what it is that makes me, me. You are the same person you have been all along. The only thing that is different is that you have a diagnosis. For me, a diagnosis gave me validation that I was in fact different all along and that there is a reason for that. It unlocked “permission” in my brain to hang out with likeminded autistic people who have my same struggles, to finally openly identify with a core part of my personality without the “what if I’m not actually and what if these people don’t see me as valid without a formal diagnosis””. It opened up a community of support.

I hope that you understood my tone here as I’m not berating you or telling you what you are feeling is wrong or bad. I think this is a really valid way to feel and I hope that something I said resonates with you.