Some people we interviewed talked about how their lives had improved in different ways. This was often an outcome of finding out they were on the autism spectrum and finding ways of helping to make their lives easier such as learning about body language or trying to understand and develop empathy [see
Autism diagnosis]. Some people had also become more accepting of who they were once they were diagnosed and they did not try so hard to fit in any longer.
One man felt more confident after being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and he was able to talk to his parents and other people about any difficulties he experienced. He found having a sympathetic boss made his working life much easier. Another man felt that he was on a “reasonably even keel” after having a counselling for his anger and he “hadn’t gone out of his way to be horrendous”.
While a few people talked about trying to make amends for the more extreme aspects of their behaviour and actions, their partners had some reservations about the effectiveness of this. One woman, for example, said that her husband felt that she was not supporting him enough but she felt that;
There is very much a wariness within me, that I have to overcome myself, like, you know, in that I don’t want to throw myself wholeheartedly into saying “Oh this is fantastic. Yes, you are doing really well” because I have been disappointed so many times in the past.”
