u/Glad_Ruin4773

I’m speaking mainly to those who are no longer young. I’m curious about your relationship with time - with the passing years, and with the amount of time you presumably have left.

Gifted Aspie, M54 here: I constantly evaluate every project in relation to the amount of useful time it will probably have. For example, my workbench in the garage is not very good and I’d like to build a new one. But it would probably take me a year of free time, maybe more. And then… how much would I actually use it? A few hours a week for 15–20 years, if everything goes well. Is it really worth it?

I’m kind of obsessed with this line of thinking, and I feel it often blocks me from starting - or even wanting to start - things.

Two days ago I received a clinical diagnosis of Level 1 Autism and giftedness.
Honestly, I had already figured it out myself when I first started reading about Asperger’s/autistic traits years ago. Now I finally have an official diagnosis.

I feel confused, relieved to finally understand the origin of many of my difficulties, and also angry that nobody ever suspected it before.

At the same time, I don’t really know what to do now.

“Coming out” about it feels like a bad idea. Most people — at least here in Italy — simply do not understand autism well, especially in adults who appear functional from the outside.

Part of me thinks my company should know, because some accommodations could genuinely help me. But I have no idea how to communicate it, or whether it would be a mistake.

I also think about telling a few trusted people… but then I wonder: trusted how much?

And why should this even be a taboo in the first place?

At the end of the day, I am still the same person I was before the diagnosis.

So… has anyone here gone through the same experience?
Had the same doubts?

How did you handle disclosure, both privately and at work?

Any advice, mistakes to avoid, or things you wish you had known earlier?