'My autism diagnosis at 50 was a huge relief'

"Hearing those words was a huge relief in many ways," says Graham Spencer, a psychiatric research nurse.

Graham was 50 when he was diagnosed with autism but he suspected he was neurodivergent for many years beforehand, so it came as "no great surprise" when he was told.

Now 53, Graham said he found social situations difficult as a young man but also had a deep passion for things he was interested in.

"I'm the same person but I am happier. You get comfortable in your own skin as you get older... we're all on a voyage of self-discovery," he told the BBC.

Speaking after Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Graham said he could relate to Chelsea and England full-back Lucy Bronze, who recently spoke for the first time about her own diagnosis in 2021.

Graham, who is a clinical lead at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and works at Royal Derby Hospital, said his work in mental health has helped him, like Lucy who said her condition helps her as an elite athlete.

On his own journey, Graham said: "Something was different... slightly different in the way you think than people around you and perhaps when I was younger that was an uncomfortable feeling.

"The diagnosis has been incredibly helpful in understanding how you think. Happiness in life is the relationship with your own mind."

Graham explained that he noticed he had repetitive behaviours and "likes a routine".

He would "get a little bit stressed" if his routine was changed at the last minute.

"People have methodical minds, they are pattern seekers and system thinkers," he said.

Despite knowing he was different, Graham said he is glad his diagnosis came later in life.

"It is clarity. What we know about autism is expanding all of the time... the timing [of my diagnosis] came at the perfect time.

"As a young man, I don't think my mind would have processed the information as regularly as I have done now.

"I don't think I'd have been ready for it many years ago."

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience core difficulties which are common across the spectrum. These may include:

• Difficulty interpreting the behaviour and intentions of other people

• Intense interests

• A tendency for compulsive or repetitive behaviours

• Finding relationships challenging

• Finding changes to routines difficult

• Having trouble describing emotions

• Having difficulty with back-and-forth conversation.

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