I received a diagnosis of autism level 1 in 2020, at an age in my 40s. I requested the assessment myself, after suspecting I probably had the condition. I wrongly assumed that the diagnosis would lead to a list of next steps and that doctors and psychologists would understand the condition. Neither has proven to be the case. I am not entitled to NDIS because I am level 1, not 2 or 3, and I am an adult. I managed to find a psychologist (after looking for months) and get a mental health plan. I am working out all the implications of the diagnosis and I have done a lot of reading but I have been very disappointed at the lack of support from the medical/psychological professions ( with the exception of the psychologist I managed to find) and the government. There is no recognition of late diagnosed level 1 autism in New South Wales. I believe the other states are better, even though it is supposedly a federal issue. The support groups tend to be for males, younger people or level 2/3 autism. I am the wrong demographic for most support groups. I have done a lot of investigation and found very little other than books and blogs. I personally think that level 1 autistic adults should be entitled to most or all of what we would be entitled to if we were children. We did not receive the support in earlier decades.
