A mother of two opens up about being diagnosed with autism at age 50 after always feeling ‘different’.
Trudy Devine grew up in Halliwell and attended Smithhills School.
She remembered being introduced to a psychologist at school and being called “special.”
Trudy says he had a period of time when he was misdiagnosed with depression before he was found to have autism, and that at the time, not much was known about it.
Trudy says:
“I could recite their words, but I failed some of the exams.
“I don’t think autism was as famous as it was then.”
After she graduated from school, Trudy completed an apprenticeship equivalent and then began working as a Conveyor Paralegal in the Horwich area.
She says people couldn’t understand how to quote certain things word for word.
She added:
“I knew I was different, I knew I was different.
“I felt like I didn’t fit in.
“Now I feel like I’m not stupid.
“But I had to fight for it all my life.
“I know who I am now, so this gave me a little closure.”
She always felt different because she found it harder to make friends and harder to handle social environments.
Trudy adds:
“I understand why it’s hard to make friends, so I know it’s really hard not to know, but it took me years without knowing.
“It was difficult to make friends, but once I got a job, I felt confident in doing things.
“Socially, I couldn’t handle it.”
Now that Trudy has been diagnosed, we want to raise awareness for those whose diagnosis is delayed.
She’s also considering joining some groups, and believes there are many more awaiting that diagnosis.
she said:
“It can’t be just me.
“But I’m not a child, so I have nothing.
“I have a better understanding of my difficulties.
“I feel better about myself now.”
Trudy’s interests include Pitbull music and 1960s music.
She’s also studying Spanish, so she can understand what he’s saying in his songs.
Trudy said, “I want to learn Spanish because I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
Trudy has two children, Gemma, 26, and Luke, 23.
She said: “It’s okay to be different.”
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