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Recently diagnosed and the huge problems it can cause

Johnnybaboon

Hello

 

I am new to this and would like some advice. I was only diagnosed with autism as an adult (I am 40 years old) back in October 2020 and in November 2020 I was given a full impact report this was very detailed. I also have ADHD I was diagnosed with that when I was 29, now the areas of my life that autism affects me varies, mainly I do not like furniture to be changed around, I also do not like changes in routines. I also find social situations and communicating with people very difficult at time.

Been diagnosed with autism has been very challenging for me, but it has also explained and shed light on the person I am and why I can be the way I am at times, which I will go into more detail in this post.  At times I feel like non autistic people do not seem to understand what it’s like having this condition and it’s makes my anxiety worse and when I get into certain situations it can land me in hot water, like it has done the past few months, this has been with the university I am studying at, when lock down first happened back in March 2020 I was studying at university, but the moment the lock down happened, this was a huge change for my routine going from on campus teaching to doing everything online really hit me hard I just couldn’t accept it and I started sending emails to university staff expressing my disappointment about this and saying we have to pay full tuition fees while they get to work from home. (I know it’s not their fault) now fast forward to the new academic year 2020/2021 we returned to campus but practical’s were held on campus and lectures online which was ok, then my emails started again which do come across as worded in a not so nice way expressing my dissatisfaction of whatever it is I am not happy about and some staff get offended by this which I can’t blame them, it’s just the way I express myself via email, now if I could speak to someone over the telephone It would not come across as inappropriate. It is just I do not do email communication expressing myself well at all. Now since we started back this year, they have been some life changing events happen, my mum passed away in October then I was officially diagnosed with ASA I was also undergoing a change in my mood stabilizing medication, my head was all other the place and recently it’s lead to a fitness to study level 3 and its really worrying me, I have been advised to write a statement going into detail about what’s been going on in my life over the past several months to explain why I have been the way I have, But the thing is I don’t know where to start with this, as I am just starting to get used to dealing with my autistic traits and manage them. I would be very grateful on any advice on how to put this statement together please

 

Thank you.

  • So the question is have they explained why they are questioning your fitness to study? You may want to consider going to your universities special needs unit and make them aware of the autism diagnosis and ask them to accompany you to any fitness to study panel. You may also consider approaching student support at the student union for help with this too. If You feel autism has contributed to any of the issues the fitness to study panel raises you should consider bringing it up at the time, if so the meeting should include a discussion of what reasonable adjustments Could be made to help you continue your studies. If they fail to properly adress the question of reasonable adjustments and just kick you out they may be breaking the law (#notlegaladvice) 

  • hi there!  i just had my tea.........earl grey with honey and cream.

    i've been maybe where you are --- and was diagnosed three years ago. writing is hard. i'd say avoid tangents. try to be simple - as simple and plain as you can. i embelish.... that should be avoided (it's like tangents). a small sense of humor is ok - .. and try to be warm, esp at the end.

    set the paragraph aside, and look at it LATER. don't just impulsively send it off. writers will carry notepads. thoughts that are spot on might come to you - who knows when. write them down. don't depend on just sitting down and being able to write. sometimes, at least for me, thoughts come out of the blue. it's important to jot those down, for later.

    be organized. sometimes i use colors - to highlight what jumps out.  visual cues. sometimes are nice, in a draft. 

    i try to use short paragraphs (such as here - super short!) oh, and my pet issue is being repetitive. i try to check for that also!

    uh, maybe don't do how i write here, lol! however, i hope what i wrote down is clear and pretty thorough. 

  • in reply to aidie

    Yes of course I will sorry I kind of typed this in a rush because I had a uni assignment deadline. I will add more after my tea

  • sorry can you explain again who asked you to, and why you are being asked to write a statement