very late diagnosis I am OLD

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The special interest comment hit spot on for me, after the feeling of relief when learning about autism and how it had worked all my life without my having any idea at all "what was wrong with me" ( knowing I was very different, having struggles and not knowing 'why'). A huge relief! everything was not all my fault for having lack of personal mental strength, being deliberately evil - I was not thoughtless and inconsiderate because I did not care, but because I did not understand things that come naturally to most others, and all the other things I had continually been told all my life... lazy, just not trying, careless, etc etc etc... it was my neurology working behind the scenes with nobody knowing or understanding that. After the feeling of relief, I spent hours and hours looking up autism info, reading studies and papers, looking for books, websites, blogs, etc etc to gain more understanding. Autism and trying to help other older ( lets face it, I'm OLD lol) adults to discover their own hidden autism.. yes it has definitely become a very special "special interest". So much relief and healing came with knowing my diagnosis, I am just sure that finding about ones autism can help others at the late stages of life too.

It may have been fortunate that the question of autism cropped up after I was doubly retired. At my age and with my personal circumstances in life I really did not have to worry about repercussions; the happiness from enlightenment was the main change due to the diagnosis--other than that, so far, I can't say there have been any practical benefits (or problems).

With hindsight I can see how Aspieness impacted my life. I doubt knowing sooner would've bought me anything other than earlier happiness from enlightenment. Could getting the diagnosis sooner have hurt my already so-so social prospects? Maybe. And, during the peak years of my working life, I would've been concerned about professional repercussions and complications.

The only clear change due to the diagnosis is that happiness from enlightenment. Knowing or not knowing that I had mild autism didn't change that I had mild autism and didn't really change much else. With or without the diagnosis, I was what I was. Or, quoting that great scholar Popeye, "I Yam What I Yam!"

But I did get a new interest out of it.

And the diagnosis did cause me to find WP.

And now, more often than she would like, I tell my bride "I have a doctor's note for that!"

thanks to you all, I am enjoying exploring the site and all of the posts of the past. I still have a lot of "aha" moments where something I struggled with for maybe years and years all of a sudden becomes evident as "autism" in me. It is always a relief to finally understand "what happened" in those cases. I find I have far less anxiety and way more self understanding, even understanding of others since diagnosis/ understanding I am autistic (and I figured out my mother was too, even though nobody knew during her life time. It has helped me forgive a lot of things from the past)
Diagnosis has been one of the best things that ever happened in my life. Finally I understand a lot of things that simply did not compute from where I was before I knew about autism. Such a relief!

double retired, I liked the part about seeing the things you had already experienced and knowing you survived them. Yes, I congratulated myself on getting through so much without ever knowing I had struggles other people did not have ( credit allis rowe) I never had a clue! What a relief to know, and now to have the extra tools of self understanding so I can make self accommodation and adjustments to my life to help find peace and contentment after all those years of anxiety and self blame. It is nice for me to find that there are several "mature" adults here to bounce ideas off of and to share experiences. Thanks to everybody for your welcomes and your insights.

Welcome to WP!