Autism and Right To Choose.

1985 FZ750-1fn ex-track bike...

I really like that motorcycle vs. car analogy!

Well, to be honest, I've tried most of the alternatives during the 59 years I lived undiagnosed.

I'm currently at a fairly good and seemingly reasonably secure point in my life, after years of turbulence, I've ticked a lot of the boxes that my fellow Autists are struggling with, partly because there was no one telling me I was Autistic and that these things would always be a struggle or impossible for me. 

It's a simple statistics thing "normality" is defined mostly by "average performance" (with an increasing amount of political indoctination/coerciion which I find of concern, but no-one else does). I think us people at the edge of the bell curve should realise that WE are the "exceptions" whether good or bad to "social normailty", and we can either jam up the gears or learn how the machinery works and act as a lubricant, BUT  that takes skill, application, and a will to be "of service".

As for whether it is a "nice way to live" I see it much as like being a motorcyclist in a world full of car drivers. I can get there much faster than they can, usually, and I can always find somewhere to park the bike and go do my stuff quickly and without messing about.

The Autism seems to give me similar mental abilities, but just like with the motorcycling you HAVE to do it right, or you will keep falling off and hurting yourself. JUST as you learn where you can and cannot put the bike on the road without colliding with the cars, or winding them up so much they try to kill you (It happens..) you an learn when and when it is good to give way to the normies point of view or emotional state and when it is time to hit them hard with whatever comes to hand.

(Because nothing else works, it's either the  psychology and love, or ultra violence with the normies. Heck they are all too absorbed working out how to deal with serious mainstream issues like what pronouns to use to mis-describe each other,to have to try and adjust to my Autism. I see it as a simple kindness to try and help them deal with me as easily as possible.)  

Hi I Sperg, that does not sound like a nice way to live, to concentrate on not being a pain in others' backsides and always thinking about the adjustments they need to make. I find neurotypical people annoying and I have to make adjustments to deal with them but I wouldn't want them going through life focusing on how much I have to adjust for them and how much they can potentially annoy me.

I would rather everyone focus on being the best version of who they are in themselves, whether they are autistic, otherwise neurodivergent or neurotypical. We all have to make adjustments for one another in life but it would make me feel bad to be thinking about this all the time especially in a one-sided way.

Cheers,
Caleb

Hi Sarah. I appreciate that this seems to be a copy+paste of information that might be relevant, but the person was specificallya sking about Right to Choose. This is what I am also wanting to find out about, and why I googled and found this link. I think it would be etreely helpful for a lot of people to have more information on your website about Right to Choose and which providers can be accessed through it, because realistically this is the only way that most people can get an assessment in a reasonable timeframe in the UK. To just provide links to lots of private providers wtihout indicating which ones the non-rich can actually access is not very helpful to most of us.
Kind regards,
Caleb Day.

PS: To anyone else reading this, I have so far found two providers that can be accessed through Right to Choose:
1) Axia https://axia-asd.co.uk/clarification-of-right-to-choose-applications-to-axia/
2) Psychiatry UK https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose/

Axia seems promising because they do not take a deficit-based approach but a strength-based approach, so I am pursuing them at the moment, but not sure what their wait times are, which is why I am trying to find other providers that can be accessed through Right to Choose.

That's interesting.

I know what you mean about the burst through thing.

I've survived, and done ok, some people would say, but it has been at a high cost in various ways. And although Ive sometimes been in a position to really burst through, something has always held me back. Something that others see, and I somehow don't.

If only I'd known my limitations earlier, I wouldn't have put myself through a lot of unessesary Stress.

I'm pleased I know now because if I see something similar in my kids I can guide them down an easier path

My apologies Desmond for misinterpreting your post. 

Kind regards,

Alex

No. Just my experience.

Sorry for the late reply. Jazzydave. Diagnosis has made my life easier to live, but I also have to accept I have my limitations, whereas previously I always had the hope that I could "burst through".

I disclose it to all and sundry. Sometimes apologetically, some times militantly! They treat me about the same, but seem to respect that I'm carrying a load that they are not.   

I on the other hand, now no longer feel like a "Failure" in life, any more than a one legged man who loses an *** kicking contest should... 

I find that the things that really annoy people and which are genuinely facets of the Autism are less annoying if people know why I am like that. 

I am however MUCH less inclined to go to a wedding or do other "correct social behaviour" that causes me discomfort. I'm also less inclined to take any "guff" generally. In fact it's become my "line in the sand".. 

Thank you very much. I shall give them a call tomorrow :) 

Hi Alex, it’s an old link. ASD assessments are something they have added in the last year. If you give them a call they should be able to help.

Thank you very much for the Link. Having checked I see that there service is currently unavailable regarding autism diagnosis. 

But thank you very much for providing the link :) 

Hi I sperg, I'm a similar age to you (56) and have just been diagnosed.

I'd be interested to know, has being diagnosed made your life any easier in any ways?

And have you disclosed to all around you?

Has it affected the way they treat you for the better or worse?

Regards

Dave

This is what I used.

psychiatry-uk.com/.../

I also appreciated your work there, SarahMod, It may be helpful to me in my situation.

You are very welcome Alex! 

Thank you Sarah, and my apologies for the delay in responding. 

Firstly, I would like to clarify I'm currently under assessment by Adult Autism and ADHD service BLACK COUNTRY NHS. I was informed via them after a seeing a consultant to self certify currently due to reasons I would like to keep private. But rest assured, I am under their professional care.

Secondly, my unreserved thanks for providing some very useful links to some recruitment/job agencies. I wil gladly explore each option you have provided me

Kind regards,

Alex

Hello Desmond,

I'm not sure what you are inferring here. Are you insinuating that I am looking for a hand out? 

Kind regards,

Alex

Hello and thank you for your reply. 

I have already experience ridicule in the workplace due to my personality and do struggle to maintain work in a social environment. I'm trying to not be a pain in the backside to those around me by trying to find some support. As you stated this is pretty much non-existent. 

I do value your input and will certainly take your advice onboard. 

Hi Alex, Sorry to hear all about this but hopefully some of these resources can be helpful (some might be things you have encountered before but thought might I would give them to you just in case):

This on is about information about autism spectrum disorders: 
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism 

If you were interested in finding out if you are on the autism spectrum, you would need to have a formal diagnostic assessment. You may find it useful to have a look at the following link for further information about diagnosis and the benefits of getting one: 

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis  

Furthermore, it is important the professional you see has experience of autism spectrum disorders. You can find details of diagnostic services on our Autism Services Directory in the Assessment and diagnosis section: http://www.autism.org.uk/directory.aspx 

For your questions on employment here are some other resources:

The British Association of Supported Employment, who have a database of supported employment agencies, so you can search for one in your local area: www.base-uk.org 

Remploy, an organisation which supports people with disabilities and those experiencing complex barriers to work, into mainstream employment: www.remploy.co.uk 

https://myplusstudentsclub.com/ is also a good website to look at. It is a site on which employers advertise their opportunities for people with disabilities and they also provide information about disability and inclusive practices within their organisations. This is a good way to identify companies which will be keen to put in place reasonable adjustments for interviews and throughout employment. 

 I have also included a link to our job-page –https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/work-for-us . Within this page you can click on our job and volunteering page to find out about our current employment and volunteering opportunities with The National Autistic Society. We particularly welcome applications from autistic people. 

 Volunteering can often be a good way to gain relevant experience and skills for future employment. Your local volunteer centre may be able to assist with finding a volunteer placement. You can search for volunteer placements on https://do-it.org/ 

Finally, you can find more information about seeking a job, and about your rights in work here: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/employment 

Hope this helps!

SarahMod