Late-diagnosis Autism dredges up big feelings

DEAR News Of The Area,

I WRITE in response to Calvin Bartlett’s letter about Autism, which appeared in News Of The Area on Friday, 7 August, 2026.

I, too, got a late diagnosis (61).

My heart went out to you, Calvin, as I have experienced the same feelings.

First the grief – who I could have become, or what I could have achieved, if only I was diagnosed younger.

Life circumstances also left me financially insecure.

I have ADHD as well as Autism. The upside is that we have ‘superpowers’ – this means we have a skill or talent nobody else has!

My superpower enabled me to be the founder of The Orphans Christmas (which is still going) and Oz Harvest Coffs Harbour (still going).

But, that’s only half the picture. The other side is full of inabilities that are a daily struggle.

Inability to communicate sufficiently so people don’t think you are weird (some still do).

The inability to look after ourselves and our homes – this is not laziness! This is exhaustion from having to mask to fit in. This is also being overwhelmed by the given task.

Despite how others perceive us, we are extremely intelligent and we hyper-focus on things that bring us joy.

I hope you have found your superpower! As your new life starts now! With the right people around you, the sky is the limit!

I have left my details with News Of The Area. There is a support group called Adulting on the Spectrum and a walking group called Walking on the Spectrum, which I have formed with support from others.

Regards,

Your fellow survivor,

Julie Ferguson.