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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

  • PiP? Specifically for domestic help and some support getting out and about?

  • in reply to Dawn

    Hi TedP, Have you considered contacting an advocacy service locally? They may be able to support you with articulating your needs to social work about the kinds of support you feel would be beneficial? It may be helpful for you to put your needs, suggestions etc in writing for an advocate if it is difficult to think on the spot. They can then help you to speak with social work during assessments etc. I know that I can find it difficult when I am asked a question and I have no idea what the answer might be and sometimes just speaking it over with another person can help. You need to be really clear about how your ASD is impacting on your life and what you can do but also what you cannot do. Hope this is a bit helpful and that you do get the support you need.

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  • in reply to Dawn

    Hi TedP, Have you considered contacting an advocacy service locally? They may be able to support you with articulating your needs to social work about the kinds of support you feel would be beneficial? It may be helpful for you to put your needs, suggestions etc in writing for an advocate if it is difficult to think on the spot. They can then help you to speak with social work during assessments etc. I know that I can find it difficult when I am asked a question and I have no idea what the answer might be and sometimes just speaking it over with another person can help. You need to be really clear about how your ASD is impacting on your life and what you can do but also what you cannot do. Hope this is a bit helpful and that you do get the support you need.

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