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Support for autistic adults?

Teacupcat

Hi everyone  i'm quite new to this so sorry if some things don't make sense, writing online makes me feel uncomfortable.

I'm 21 years old and I was diagnosed last year in April, and since I've received no autism specific support, i was assessed, diagnosed and sent on my way, i didn't even know what stimming was until i found it while looking online. 

I was just wondering if there is any support anyone would recommend to me as i kind of feel like my life is at a stand still right now and not going anywhere. Also I am trying to become part of the autism community, but there is so much i still don't understand or maybe even know about yet. I'm being thrown about between people who don't understand what autism is, and they are trying to help me with things like confidence and self esteem, which I do agree is helpful to me, but it would just be nice to see someone or talk to someone who does understand autism and can help me learn more about the condition and myself at the same time.

Thanks to anyone who reads this or thinks they can help me.

  • in reply to Cassandro

    “Thanks” but I always think you make super points too so also “inaccurate”? I am so bad with compliments, you have no idea, Cassandro! XD 

    The mentor is a good suggestion; I had one at university but I have little idea how to go about getting one outside of an educational setting.

  • Hello, Teacupcat, and welcome. I like your nickname.

    Autism-specific support for adults is rare to nonexistent in the statutory sector. You are not alone. There is also still remarkably little mental health support that is aware of, accessible to, or suitable for autistic people, and this is something I hope will change soon. Part of it I would say is that the professionals don't understand themselves what underlies social difficulties. I do think a profile of abilities and autistic characteristics should be automatic after a diagnosis to answer the question 'OK, I know I'm different. In what way am I different?'

    Have you found any local groups of autistic people? This is part of the NAS directory: https://www.autism.org.uk/directory/browse/cid=39~aid=1.aspx

    You might like to look for a mentor, autistic or not. I feel I need something structured, clear and comprehensible, like: you are here, this is where you want to get to, these are the steps you should take.

    Oh, I see Emma's replied before me. Her replies are usually much more perceptive and on-point than mine...

  • Welcome to the forum Teacupcat!

    It’s one of the things that still needs a good deal of work re. autism that support seems to all but vanish when one gets to adulthood!

    The NAS do provide some courses and on a local scale there are often support/meetup groups you may like to attend.

    The good news is that with your diagnosis comes an obligation on the part of employers etc. to provide support and adjustment where you find things difficult due to your autistic traits, if you choose to disclose to them (disclosure or not can be a tricky topic; there is still underhand discrimination out there from some people, but employers can’t be expected to account for things they’ve not been told about, so it’s very much a personal decision).

    The real support for adult autistics, my experience, comes from the rest of the autistic community and so joining this forum is a great start! :D

    Ask/talk to us about whatever you need to, read some blogs/books by autistic authors and generally get stuck in! We’ve all been there and are happy to share our experiences and coping strategies. :) 

    Emma x