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Any adults get support from the council?

TedP

Hi,

I'm 53, I've spent ten years with depression and anxiety, and three months ago, got a diagnosis of ASD.

I do well on IQ tests, have got good verbal skills, but I seem to be typically autistic in being single, childless, jobless, and lonely.

I spend most of my life in bed, only go out for supplies, neglect myself and can't get any chores done.

Having doubted my sanity for many years, and blamed myself for my failures, I'm happy now to find that I have a disability, and I want it to be recognised.

I've contacted my local council, and after a lengthy delay, I've been put in touch with Learning Difficulty Support, who are taking their time in assessing if they can provide me with support.

I've spoken on the phone twice, and they want to know what support I want, and this is where it gets tricky.

I actually do need help in sorting myself out, and my home, and I need help to go out, and mix with people.

But I'll be embarrassed to receive any help, and aware that there are more profoundly disabled people who need state help.

Plus, part of me is very clever, and I don't know what they'll make of that when their typical clients have IQs below 70.

After a lifetime of masking my autism, unaware that I even had it, I probably come across as if nothing's wrong.

So, I don't know what to do, what to ask for, or whether the council should support me through a different department.

I need someone on hand for when things go awry, as they did this winter with my state benefits, and I had to deal with it all alone.

As well as having a clever streak, I think I actually am learning disabled, as I've flunked a couple of degrees, as I have to process information differently, and can't produce the academic work required.

Anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks.

Parents

  • I must be autistic if I can even be socially inept on an autism forum.

    I hope it's an autism forum.

    Let me know if it isn't.

  • in reply to TedP

    Yes TedP. It’s an autism forum. I totally identify with what you communicate so well. I don’t know how to even say that I agree entirely that I have always known I need support or help, but haven’t a clue what form that help should be in. I phoned the mental health emergency clinic decades ago. The lady said simply “how can we help you?” I was flummoxed, because if I knew what help I needed I felt I would be able to do it for myself!!!! That was exactly why I rang. I actually was desperate because I didn’t know how to help myself. 

    Now I don’t know how anyone can help me at all. So I just muddle through. I know this is not much help, or an answer to your question, but that is why I hadn’t responded earlier. Hash tag me too usually belongs on Twitter, but I genuinely have the same perplexation! 

  • in reply to Rip Van Wrinkle

    Anyone else, can the council/nhs help? If so, how do they help you? 

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