[PrairieCat]

Hi all, I am just dropping in to say hello. I'm a female age 75 and just recently realized I have autism and probably have had Asperger's my entire life. I don't know what to do with that information! It is huge and it wonderfully explains my life to me. I am so happy to know this but it is also very shocking to me.

Now everything makes sense. I have an appt. with a counselor who is said to be very good. She does not take insurance and is expensive. I was referred to her by the local Autism Speaks. I liked her on the phone, so eight more days and I'll see her.

Meanwhile, I feel flummoxed. In a way, I don't know where or what I am. I have met a man I like and I don't think I can tell him anything about this, at least not now. I tried to talk to my sisters and they won't talk to me, horrible experience, just awful. Anger, hate, phony crap religious stuff all directed at me. I do not accept any of it. Wish I knew how to bounce all that crap back at the ones who targeted me! Thanks for listening.

If there are any older gals out there who have autism, please private message me. I'd love to talk to you! Love to all of you.

[TheEbonyEwe]

Hi PrairieCat!

I understand about family. My brothers don't want to hear anything about me having Aspergers or that our mother was Bi-polar. I'm guessing its because they have to look at themselves closer and wonder if their failures are the result of having a neurological or mental disability.

It really hurts when your family doesn't respect your limitations or health issues. You're right; you don't need that crap in your life! I quit talking to my brothers because they don't respect mine and because I'm the youngest, I don't know anything. I got better things to do. So do you.

I hope your therapy goes well!

[Skeezyks]

Hello PrairieCat: The Skeezyks sends you his best wishes with the hope that you will be able to find peace in your life...

[Fuzzybear]

Hi Prairie Cat! I love the cougar, nice touch. I think we all just grow up and when we get older learn things about ourselves that they did not have answers for when we were young. It certainly is exciting times we do live in. Families, they all sound the same LOL... you are in good company here and i wish all the best to you! Blessings and tc

[Lunella]

It's normal now for older people to be getting diagnosed with aspergers or autism because it wasn't really that well known back in those days. But yeah, seen it on BBC documentaries where elderly people have been like "turns out I like being alone so much because they diagnosed me with aspergers syndrome."

I would just not mention you have autism/aspergers to people without first getting their opinion on it, if you ask them what do they know about it or think about it, if they give a negative response then don't bother telling them. If they ask why you're asking, simply just give them some excuse like you were just wondering cause you heard about it on the TV or something.

If you apply the logic of like how gay and lesbian or transgender people won't 'come out' to a person until they know they are safe to talk to about that stuff, same kinda thing applies to autism, otherwise it can bring you some really heartbreaking drama when people won't accept you. For example my ex used to say if he knew I was autistic he wouldn't of gotten with me, stuff like that makes me so angry but it's so common sadly.

Honestly you do not want to go through the whole drama of people judging you and bringing you grief because of them being too selfish and closed minded to accept you. Anyone who is horrible to you because of something like that doesn't even deserve to talk to you as there are much nicer and accepting people out there.

Good luck, hope everything goes well.