Positive outlook

Hi there, I am still waiting to be assessed .... from my behaviours I am suspecting HFA too. I decided to go down the formal route (NHS) after watching how my dad was cared for when he went into a residential nursing home in his 80s. If you don't have an NHS diagnosis on your medical record, the NHS do not have to consider your unique needs in your care plan. This is not important to me in my 50s, but it may make some difference if I need this to be taken into consideration later on. I know it sounds a bit bleak, but I had my eyes opened with my dad. It is simply a matter of legality, the NHS do not consider any other diagnosis but there own and with that comes some legal protection under UK law. I am also female and yes, it can be very lonely. I am hoping that I may discover a social support group with others like me one day, until then I have a good husband and cute dog, don't worry about talking to your dog, lots of people do x

Hi

I watched the talks and feel better already. I need this positive input. Thanks 

I'm glad you veiw your diagnosis as a positive thing, I agree about the high and low functioning labels, although I don't believe these are terms they use any more? The don't use Asperger's Syndrome anymore either, although it is still used much if the time.

There are many positives in the world, not just about being autistic, but life in general. We live on a wonderfully unique planet and although life can be hard and have it's bumps there is always something to smile about. 

I shall watch the videos later when the radio isn't on. 

X

Hi there. I am in my late 40s and awaiting diagnosis. I wonder what techniques people have used to stay positive? At the moment, I am doing some studying and have chosen to do my SMART example exercise in looking at acceptance of my differences. My main issue being communication with NT people. I have set myself 5 short term goals with the long term goal being self acceptance. My short term SMARTs are as follows:

1. Build my current relationships to increase resilience

2. Read my ASD therapy book every day

3. Do mindfulness / anxiety management apps every day

4. Do exercise of some sort every day

5. Measure my mood and anxiety scores every day.

But, I am basically just trying everything I can get my hands on, so any ideas I would love to hear. 

Plus work has got in the way today, so I haven't done any of them! :-) 

x Snooks

Hi I was diagnosed as autistic a few years ago when I was 50 and agree that it is important to feel positive about it.  For me my diagnosis is one of the best things that happened to me - the other being my kids - but it didn't feel like that right away.  One way I found to be more positive about it was to stop thinking about it as HFA because I have struggled with trying to be normal all my life and to form connections with people and dealt with anxiety and depression while holding down a demanding job and bringing up 2 kids.  To me that is being very very good at pretending to be functioning well not high functioning!  

I don't have intellectual learning disabilities but I don't like the terms low & high functioning.   If I look "high functioning" that's because I have worked hard to make sure people don't think I'm weird and that I understand what to do or say but at a huge cost to my mental health.  Every time I have had a shutdown or panic attack that has left me unable to move or speak I was not functioning at all.  If people say you're high functioning that probably means they think you're not really autistic.

If there are high functioning autistic people then there is question of where does low functioning start and it ignores strengths that all people have.  I know it's a term used by professionals and if that is the official medical term then professionals should use it.  But my diagnosis report is full of professional talk about deficits and not being able to do things and I want to feel positive about being autistic and recognise the strengths and struggles that brings.  There's nothing wrong with me - I'm different not disabled except by a world that isn't set up for autistic people.     

Sorry to go on about this but I also feel that lots of discussions make me feel down about being autistic as well and I am happy to talk about the positive bits. If you want to listen to this explained better you could watch these talks.  Hope you enjoy them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1AUdaH-EPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSLdzdwlb_I

HIgh Functioning Autistic  ie no severe learning disabilities on top of the autism It is the diagnosis I got too years ago when they used to distinguish between Aspergers and Autism. Now they should treat it like a continuous spectrum and call it Autistic Spectrum Disorder I think.

Aw lovely. Yes our twins seem to have always been teething with not one tooth between them yet bless them.

Yes what a challenge to potty train twins well done you and the twins!

Yes me and my husband are really missing them and our 3 year old granddaughter too. Yes I relate to your parents struggle, we are missing so much of their development. Hopefully it won’t be too long now x 

I agree, I think about my struggles enough so although it is nice to have the realisation that I am not the only one feeling the way I do with the struggles I do, it would most certainly be nice to find a way to be more positive about who I am. Do you have any advice about accepting yourself for who you are?

Also, it would be nice to talk to people who understand me, but, not necessarily about Autism. Do any of you have hobbies or interests we could share?

X

Yes, you are correct twins :) thank you. I am really proud of them :) ah, teething can be a nightmare. One of my daughter's still only has 8 teeth :/ I'm not looking forward to the rest coming! Bless you, must be hard being away from your Grandkiddies, I know my parents are struggling with not being around them, they absolutely adore our daughters. X

Hi you say your girls, I assume they’re twins? My daughter has twin girls who are 7 months. Well done you for getting the potty training sorted, we (or not so much me as we are separated atm by the lockdown) are going through the teething stages atm. What a blessing it is though to have two lovely girls

Hi I am diagnosed higher functioning autism and am female and 53. Yes I joined a week or so ago looking for similar people to me and I really relate to what others are saying so initially thought wow at last, but realised today actually that it may have made me a bit sadder!

I want to accept myself and be positive about who I am, not think about my struggles all the time. So would be happy to be in contact if it would help.

I'm a little younger, in my thirties, I am not diagnosed but have read alot about autism and taken all the usual on line "tests" which leads me to believe that I am very likely on the spectrum. 

I am quite a positive person by nature, despite my constant over thinking. What made you decide to go for a diagnosis? I myself am unsure if it would be useful or not for myself.

Something random that I feel it's positive in my life right now, my girls, who just turned two, are doing so so well with potty training and i am finding it is less stressful than I had anticipated. 

What is positive in your life right now?

X

HFA?