You’re Not Too Old and It’s Not Too Late

Discovering My Neurodivergence Later in Life

Hey there, fellow DCCers and neurodivergent friends! Let’s chat about something that’s been a real game-changer for me. So, I found out I have Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum when I was 46. Now, you might be thinking, “Why does that matter now since you’re older and have lived your life?” Well, let me tell you, that diagnosis was like a light bulb going off in my head. It was honestly the start of my life in many ways.

Making Sense of It All

Before I got the diagnosis, I felt like I was wandering around in a fog, trying to figure out why I struggled with certain things while others seemed to breeze through life. Once I had the label, everything clicked into place. Sometime labels can hold someone back, other times it can lead someone forward in a new way. It was like finally finding the missing puzzle piece. Suddenly, I wasn’t just seeing what I couldn’t do; I was also uncovering what I was actually good at.

Rediscovering Reading

Take reading, for example. Back in the day, I didn’t really read much—maybe a magazine here and there, but that was about it. I always thought I just wasn’t a reader. Fast forward to now, and I’m diving into books almost every day! It’s wild how much I’ve learned from just picking up a book. I’m discovering new interests and ideas that I never would have explored before.

Letting Go of the Struggle

Another huge takeaway for me has been learning to stop banging my head against the wall trying to do things I’m just not cut out for. You know those tasks that make you feel like you’re climbing a mountain? Yeah, I’ve learned to let those go. It’s all about focusing on what works for me and what brings me joy.

Practical Effects of Diagnosis

One really practical way my diagnosis impacted me was figuring out what I can and can't do, like I mentioned earlier. I had a neuropsychiatric evaluation for the first time as an adult, and it showed me where my strengths and weaknesses are. Now, I can focus on what I'm good at and get the right help for the stuff I find tough. I discovered that I'm not great at

picking up on body language and subtle facial expressions when talking to someone. So, I've learned to focus less on looking at them and more on listening to their words and tone of voice.

So, let me tell you a bit more about that evaluation... It was kind of a game-changer for me. I mean, I went in thinking I knew myself pretty well, but this whole process opened my eyes to things I hadn’t even considered. It’s like getting a personalized map of your brain that shows you where you shine and where you might need a little extra support. For example, I realized that while I might struggle with non-verbal cues—like those tiny eyebrow raises or subtle smirks—I'm actually pretty good at tuning into what people are saying when I really focus. It’s like my ears become super-powered when I tune out the visual stuff!

Because of this newfound self-awareness, I decided to shift gears a bit in my job search. I found a job working from home as a customer service associate, and honestly, it was a perfect fit! I could really hone in on listening to customers without all the usual distractions that come with a busy office environment. And guess what? I did really well at it! I mean, who knew that just being a good listener could actually turn into a successful job? Keeping the job was another story for another post; I never had all the supports I needed so I eventually left the job, Regardless it’s funny how these little insights can lead to big changes in life.

It’s Never Too Late!

 So, if you’re sitting there thinking, “Well, I’m too old to change now,” let me tell you: it’s never too late to learn something new! Embracing who we are and discovering our strengths can start at any age. Life is a journey, and there’s always room for growth, no matter where you are on that path. Let’s keep exploring together and celebrate our unique journeys!