I have worked for many years in completing autism assessments for adults. For individuals who are identified as having autism, the diagnosis in some cases causes a whole range of emotions. For some, there is anger at the late diagnosis, and the grief for what could have been. For others, there is relief. For some, there is happiness and optimism at finally getting their difficulties validated and recognised. Often all of these emotions arise, perhaps at different times. There can sometimes be disillusionment at difficulties not going away with the diagnosis, and a feeling of an 'anti-climax'.
Basically, there is a lot to digest and consider following a diagnosis. The diagnosis itself is just the first stage of a process. Considering and when to tell people, managing reactions from others, developing coping strategies, navigating the wealth of material (some useful, some not) on the internet, learning to accept oneself, and coping with the emotions that come from receiving the diagnosis are all areas that need to be tackled.
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