Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everybody, I am not sure which section to post this in. I am currently a mature uni student in Nottingham. I have always thought, responded to and interacted with people differently to most. Until recently I had no idea why this was, but since starting university numerous people have either asked if I am on the autistic spectrum or just assumed that I am. Over the summer holidays I decided to do some proper research into it and talked about it to friends who are on the spectrum. It would be an understatement to say it explains a LOT. From my research it would appear to be aspergers, though online information has been somewhat inconsistent. I think it went unnoticed for a very long time as I have physical health problems that prevented me being able to do much of anything for many years.
Leading to the main question as to whether I should get a diagnosis. I am at this stage about 95% certain that I am on the spectrum, it just explains too many things from difficulties in social interactions, body language to what I used to view as personality quirks. Ultimately if I am on the spectrum it is part of who I am and nothing can change that. I find life very difficult but I am coping so I don’t know if a diagnosis will be of any benefit to me.
However my main concern is that a diagnosis could result in a lot of long term negatives/problems. Partly due to poor understanding or misinterpretation of health problems that exist in the general population. I brought up considering diagnosis with my GP and he said that a diagnosis could limit my ability to access work and could close doors for me as it would have to go on any medical reports. I have friends who think that what the GP has said is completely wrong and think I should try and get a diagnosis. I have found information online to be somewhat inconsistent and incomplete.
It would be really helpful to get some more viewpoints and find out about the personal experiences of others before I decide whether or not to get a diagnosis. Thank you
I miss your head...and hope you feel safe here to get those feelers out.......
I keep trying to remember to give myself a break...this is BIG stuff and when you are trying to process it on your own with no-one to necessarily "bounce off"...you need longer to process things as you only have 1 brain on the case!
I've almost forgotten what Spotty's head looks like!
I'm starting to feel that way too I think, gently pushing out to feel what might ME be... I may keep my head out for more than a few hours one of these days.
ThisWorldIsStrange said:Since finding out about being on the spectrum I have put less effort into being normal which I feel is freeing, if that makes sense. But it may backfire, too early to tell.
I'm in that head space as well at the moment....just absorbing and processing where I am at this present moment and in no hurry at present. It is quite freeing and the people here have been very supportive.
It is a very illogical system for a forum.
Socialising is exhausting and the constant attempt to analyse if the right things are being said is seeming to not really be worth the effort for me right now. Since finding out about being on the spectrum I have put less effort into being normal which I feel is freeing, if that makes sense. But it may backfire, too early to tell.
At this stage I think that all I really need is access to the information and awareness of the spectrum and the self awareness it offers. So I will put an official diagnosis on hold until I think it really is needed and I am sure it will be beneficial.
Thank you everybody for your help.
Teaching helps as it is a piece of theatre and you the teacher are the actor. Teaching is a performance art and you have already planned your teaching script and can predict the questions (to a certain extent) that your students will ask you. You also have the safety net of your knowledge of your subject...it becomes a communication of knowledge so in that respect it feels much safer that trying to make small talk.
Small talk I find difficult...I am happy to drop in and out of group conversations but if it is a 1-2-1 situation I can find it a challenge...a) in terms of trying to predict where the conversation is going. b) working out if I have given the right answers and .c) over analysis the motivation behind the questions that they are asking....
i am not sure how people respond to this. Sometimes I can be quite bouncy and engaged,,,.other days quiet and "head down"...
i certainly wouldn't say say that I communicate easily....writing us definitely easier than verbal face to face chats though...
On the user name front, it is a strange system where the user name you choose when you join is irrelevant, you just appear as an allocated number unless you go to your profile page and give yourself the name you want. You get to your profile by clicking on your avatar/number top right of this page.
I've passed for normal for 49 years without realising and it has eventually caught up with me, the effort and exhaustion of trying to fit in have outstripped my resources, but I never understood what was happening. You are in a very different position because with or without an official diagnosis you understand what you are and can read and research to help and make allowances for yourself.
Diagnosis shouldn't carry a stigma but I guess maybe it does, though I think your GP's words were just plain wrong. Will be interesting to see what you decide to do.
Although obviously not diagnosed I am in the process of taking driving lessons. My instructor during one lesson also told me that I was very similar to one of her former students who had aspergers. I think she was trying to find out if I did too. Logically getting a drivers license would be based upon the individuals capabilities.
It would be amazing to get a pilots license some day.
Hey ElephantInTheRoom you remind me of one of my A-Level teachers, since doing research into the spectrum I realised that she may have been on the spectrum based on how she acted and interacted with people. It is a shame I have no way of contacting her. She had a very unconventional way of teaching that was amazingly effective.
Is being able to communicate easily something you have learned or something that comes naturally?
Do people respond strangely/negatively when you don’t get involved in their small talk?
Thank you everybody for your replies, sorry I have not replied sooner but life has been a bit overwhelming.
Also my username is showing up as NAS24032 and not the one I picked, why is this?
The people I know who are on the spectrum are either at uni and have not had a real job or have other health conditions that have made them too unwell to work.
I have been contemplating asking my contact in disability support for advice but I am not sure if I would be able to get objective advice that wouldn’t be passed on to others without my permission. Once lectures restart there are a few people I could ask, there is a girl in my course that told me in first year that she had Asperger’s and was struggling to keep up with study because of work.
It does seem like the main advantage of diagnosis would be getting adjustments at work and if I suffer from discrimination. Does anyone have any examples of reasonable adjustments they have gotten?
At this stage it seems like all the information out there is like a puzzle with no definite solution as to how best to proceed.
Not sure what you mean, the company I work for is really loud and involves a lot of heavy lifting and doing stuff I'm not actually comfortable with but don't want to say no to them because it's my first ever job and I'm not really that keen on being there, I really like my boss though so I don't think I would leave.
Reasonable adjustment?
Hey I'm just wondering if you get a formal diagnosis what would your employer do? What kind of help would your employer give you?
All fine here, nothing to see....still waving!
Well that was cryptic! The diplodocus can be useful... I'm more of an timid anarchist.....just a matter of time that they find out! Good job that this conversation is top secret! Shhhhhh!
find the hook, cherish the child, and take them to where they NEED to be!
have you arrived at where you want to be Warrior!
Ah bless,I went off on a healing rant the other nite,things I have never mentioned to anyone.I had one young lady teacher in a sea of old type dinosaurs.She made the difference.bless her she deserved a medal.,
One photoshopped certificate on its way to you! X
I wish I had a teacher like you.may well have made the difference for me. I ain't that bad though considering lol.i think it all made me more understanding and harder working,A plus.
Tho thinking about it Gary Numan has got his pilots licence and he's a fellow Aspie. I don't know if he's self diagnosed or had it confirmed by a doctor, so I don't see any reason why you can't drive!!!
Lol! My cat drives a Kawasaki Ninja!
KillerQueen1971 said:I'd like to get my cat A licence (motorbikes
I didn't know it was possible to get a cat a licence - marvellous how people can train animals ......