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Getting diagnosed as an adult female

NAS73342

Hi.

I'm struggling a little bit. I've struggled with a lot of issues all of my life (in late 30s now) and someone close to me has now suggested it might be autism. I read the link she sent me, and I identify a lot with what she has said.

However, I have also had issues with getting help and support for other problems and I dont know if I need a diagnosis, what it will change and how it will help 

I feel like it won't change the fact that I struggle socially and it won't help me make (and keep) meaningful friendships. It won't change who I am.

I guess I am looking for support from others who have attempted to get a diagnosis at an older age, and what difference it made to them. 

Thanks. 

  • if u want i can send u the overall plan for applying/going for a NHS autistic assessment  ---- it worked for me 

  • A diagnosis is worth getting imho because you can ask for workplace adjustments and/or be able to get benefits. PIP is non-income dependent so you can work part time and still get PIP.

    It's a bit tricky to get a diagnosis through the NHS, you just have to keep going to different GPs and be persistent. 

    Are there any autistic charities near where you live? They might be able to help you get a diagnosis or specialist therapy.

    Good luck!

  • I was having lots of very serious social issues that impacted my work and family anyways I had enough and approached my docter who sent me for an assessment for Social Anxiety but they diagnosed me with Autism 

    The major difference is

    Social Anxiety    -    can be overcome and improved greatly with social training courses

    Autism            -      it is much much harder to change your behaviours. 

    It is not impossible, improvements are possible ( depends on how strong your autism is )  but way harder than Social Anxiety which can be fixed with months depending of course intensity

  • the social issues can be either 

    Social Anxiety

    or 

    the antisocial aspects of Autism

    or

    something else

  • Going through it now. I'm 56. My assessment is a few months away.

    With respect to support, you don't say what with, but I know for my issues, the problem is I've had the wrong support or no support. I further think the support has been absent or the wrong kind because I am highly probably autistic and the support hasn't been geared to that.

    It is possible (I hope and pray) that a diagnosis might be the difference between getting what is no help to me and something which actually helps.

    No, a diagnosis can't and shouldn't change who any of us are, but it seems to make a lot of people feel they understand themselves better and more comfortable with who they are. I suspect it will do that for me too. I think it might also empower me to say to others, 'look, I'm working hard to accomodate you because you experience the world differently from me,  could you please also do a few things I need for the same reason - I don't experience the world quite like you'. That way maybe crossed wires might be avoided and harmony might reign... that'll be goal, anyway.

    Do you know how to go about getting an assessment?

    Whatever you decide, good luck.