Sunday, February 16, 2025

Discovering Healing: My Journey from Feeling Broken to Diagnosis at 70

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Andrew and Zoubida on their wedding day.
Courtesy of Andrew Davies

Andrew felt different until he found out he is autistic at age 70.

Andrew Davies is 72 years old. He thought something was wrong with him for a long time. This changed when he learned he is autistic at 70.

Many older people may not know they are autistic. A study shows that about 600,000 people over 50 in England might be autistic but undiagnosed.

Andrew had a long career in politics. He found it hard to understand how to talk in groups. He liked to be alone or with one friend at a time.

Now, knowing he is autistic helps him understand his life better.


Vocabulary List:

  1. Autistic /ɔːˈtɪs.tɪk/ (adjective): Relating to a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication.
  2. Diagnosed /ˈdaɪəɡnoʊzd/ (verb): Identified a disease or condition in a person.
  3. Career /kəˈrɪr/ (noun): An occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life with opportunities for progress.
  4. Understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ (verb): Perceive the intended meaning of (words a language or a speaker).
  5. People /ˈpiː.pəl/ (noun): Human beings in general or considered collectively.
  6. Group /ɡruːp/ (noun): A number of people or things that are located gathered or classed together.

How much do you know?


How old is Andrew Davies?
70 years old
72 years old
75 years old
68 years old


What did Andrew Davies discover about himself at age 70?
He is autistic
He is a musician
He has a medical condition
He is a writer


How many people over 50 in England might be autistic but undiagnosed?
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000


What was Andrew Davies' career?
Engineer
Politician
Physician
Artist


What aspect of social interaction did Andrew Davies find challenging?
Speaking multiple languages
Talking in groups
Public speaking
Writing emails


How does knowing he is autistic help Andrew Davies?
It doesn't help him
Understand his life better
Make more friends
Solve complex puzzles


Andrew Davies discovered he is autistic at age 68.


Andrew Davies preferred being alone or with one friend at a time.


Andrew Davies had a short career in politics.


Being diagnosed as autistic has negatively impacted Andrew Davies' life.


Andrew Davies' discovery has helped raise awareness about autism in older individuals.


Knowing he is autistic has made Andrew Davies feel more isolated.


Andrew Davies found out he is autistic at the age of .


A study suggests that about 600,000 people over the age of 50 in might be autistic but undiagnosed.


Andrew Davies struggled with understanding how to communicate in .


Andrew Davies' career was primarily in the field of .


Now that he knows he is autistic, Andrew Davies has a better understanding of his .


Being diagnosed has provided Andrew Davies with a new perspective on his social .

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