Autism Discussion

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MarthaFarkus said:
Had my autism diagnostic assessment today and I’ve been diagnosed with autism. So many things are adding up right now. Does anyone know of any good online support forums or anything like that they can recommend please?
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So I use reddit's autisiminwomen a lot. It can be very USA centric sometimes but I've never encountered anyone be anything but lovely on there
 
ChickenLicking said:
How are you feeling? I felt a mixture of sadness and relief. Please feel free to ask away on here too. Sending fellow autie regards 😀
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Bless you, thanks. I do feel like a weight has been lifted, I’ve spent as long as I can remember battling with myself and teaching myself to act like everyone else I knew/know. I’m just so tired now and can’t do it anymore, I’m late 40’s! Nobody wants a label but I hope this particular label will set me free, I think I can finally be me now - whoever that is 😆
 
What’s the first steps to being assessed? For years my friend would say they think I’m autistic and when I’ve looked into it further I think I could be. As I’ve got older (early 30s) I’ve struggled more.
 
candyland_ said:
What’s the first steps to being assessed? For years my friend would say they think I’m autistic and when I’ve looked into it further I think I could be. As I’ve got older (early 30s) I’ve struggled more.
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Firmly request an assessment from your GP. Read some stuff so you can back up your reasons. It was never on my radar until I met someone diagnosed who suggested it. The nurse was like “why do you want one of those 🥴?”. There was a two year wait so I put it out of my mind and didn’t pin anything on the outcome.
 
candyland_ said:
What’s the first steps to being assessed? For years my friend would say they think I’m autistic and when I’ve looked into it further I think I could be. As I’ve got older (early 30s) I’ve struggled more.
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A GP referral to whatever assessment service exists in your area, or a private one if you want to go down that route.

I discussed it with my GP and he was understanding, but we decided that an "official" diagnosis wouldn't be especially helpful for me it wouldn't lead to any alternative treatment pathways for my MH problems, and the process would be frustrating and stressful for me.

Where I live, appointment systems are completely inflexible and not set up for people who work or have other responsibilities. Attempting to change a date can be construed as discharging yourself.
 
CarmenGhia said:
You absolutely can run a business as an autistic person. I've been self-employed for six years now and it's done wonders for my mental health.

I don't have an official diagnosis, but a psychiatrist assessing me due to severe depression said I met all of the criteria except one: I have a very vivid and flexible imagination, which may autistic women do have.
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Was that meant to be a reply to me? X
 
LucyJade1994 said:
Does anyone else struggle to make friends? I find it hard to make friends and I’ve been used and taken advantage off in the past and i can’t trust people now as I’m scared I’m going to get taken advantage off again. So I spend a lot of time on my own even when I am in employment I go home and rest I don’t go out partying etc.
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Always have and always will, plus I get annoyed by people and often misinterpret what they say. I quite like time on my own but do like interacting via WhatsApp or on Tattle :)

CarmenGhia said:
They won't do that. They will ask questions but they'll have heard your requests and concerns before.
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Your GP won't scoff at all. My Borough had a template letter to hand to the GP.

MarthaFarkus said:
Bless you, thanks. I do feel like a weight has been lifted, I’ve spent as long as I can remember battling with myself and teaching myself to act like everyone else I knew/know. I’m just so tired now and can’t do it anymore, I’m late 40’s! Nobody wants a label but I hope this particular label will set me free, I think I can finally be me now - whoever that is 😆
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I am also in my late 40s and get so worn-out with burnout.
 
I must have a terrible GP because mine scoffed at me when I asked for a referral, he wouldn’t even listen to what I was trying to say. I went straight to steps-to-change (possibly called something else in different areas) who were already dealing with me and they did the referral instead, they were brilliant.

In answer to the friends question, yes I find it hard to make and keep them too. I find physically talking to people very stressful to the point I avoid it as much as possible. Talking digitally is fine, although in short bursts.

My diagnosis has also made me realise that I’ve been lying to myself and others for decades when applying for jobs. I’ve always put and said what people wanted to hear like good team player etc. I’m not a good team player at all, I hate working with other people. The burnout has been horrendous and yet I still gravitate towards those jobs because I’m good at them as I’ve trained myself to be. Outwardly I look really competent and together but inside it kills me. I think now it’s time to stop masking (or at least try, I can’t even imagine what it’s like to not mark or copy) it’s not helped me one bit. If I could get a job where I write letters or emails on my own I’d be happy as Larry 🤷🏻‍♀️
 
Jaybtee said:
my 11 year old daughter has just been diagnosed with autism. Has taken 2 and a half years (initially thought to have anxiety by CAHMS). She has refused to go to school for two years (best scenario shes in three days a week) so im really worried about her going to high school in august. So stressful and havent been given any after diagnosis support
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As someone who missed loads of school but wasn’t diagnosed at all (left in 2005) I believe it will be a help to her just to know it. She can begin learning about her brain and others. I recommend to her the book a field guide to earthlings by Ian Ford. It’s been incredible for me to understand the way others socialise and the reasons why they do or say things and how we differ. I wish I’d known all this at an earlier age and truly believe I’d have led a better life. Available if you ever need advice or to chat !
 
MarthaFarkus said:
I must have a terrible GP because mine scoffed at me when I asked for a referral, he wouldn’t even listen to what I was trying to say. I went straight to steps-to-change (possibly called something else in different areas) who were already dealing with me and they did the referral instead, they were brilliant.
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You should complain if you are able. My GP has always been helpful, it's been our Steps to Change that were a pain with me. They find any excuse to discharge you, including needing to change the times of appointments or requesting a female therapist.
 
CarmenGhia said:
You should complain if you are able. My GP has always been helpful, it's been our Steps to Change that were a pain with me. They find any excuse to discharge you, including needing to change the times of appointments or requesting a female therapist.
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It was a while ago now and I just didn’t have the energy, which is terrible really because that’s what they rely on. He wasn’t even my doctor so I avoid him now and see a different one when I have to go.

It’s crazy isn’t it, how services vary from place to place. My steps-to-change service could not have been more brilliant for which I’m grateful for. I’m glad you were able to get some support from somewhere because it’s a hard battle isn’t it.
 
Did anyone see the programme "Inside Our Autistic Minds" on BBC2 last night with Chris Packham? It's a two-parter so one episode still to come, and it'll be on catch-up.

The premise is that autistic people each make a short film to show people close to them how they feel/experience life etc.

It was really interesting and useful for my Mum to watch because one of the subjects (Flo) showed some similarities to me.

The other subject was Ken Bruce's son, who is non-speaking but desperately wants his incredibly eloquent thoughts to be heard. It was very moving.
 
iLoveMeSomeCanoles said:
Did anyone see the programme "Inside Our Autistic Minds" on BBC2 last night with Chris Packham? It's a two-parter so one episode still to come, and it'll be on catch-up.

The premise is that autistic people each make a short film to show people close to them how they feel/experience life etc.

It was really interesting and useful for my Mum to watch because one of the subjects (Flo) showed some similarities to me.

The other subject was Ken Bruce's son, who is non-speaking but desperately wants his incredibly eloquent thoughts to be heard. It was very moving.
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I've recorded it but need to watch it. I read about Ken Bruce's son via his autobiography but he was a child when it was published.
 
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