Coming to terms with a diagnosis

Hi BillyC87, 

Which area of the country do you live in?
Send me a private message if you prefer.

I might be able to give you suggestions, depending on where you live.

Hi I'm a teacher too and mid thirties. My assessment this year confirmed my "self diagnosis" so I felt I'd already mostly come to terms with it before hand. I haven't had any help since my diagnosis although I discovered this week the place I went to offers post diagnostic support. I've tried to look for peer groups but have so far only found one which you need to be on Facebook to join so that's out of the question.  Mostly near me they are for parents,  children, carers or people with complex needs. I've found the forum helpful in terms if support. I'd just like to be able to meet up with similar people to talk through experiences. There's a lot in my head and this forum is the only outlet.

It is difficult distinguishing what's autism based and what isn't and its very difficult to get out of the habit of attributing everything to autism. It does help me understand myself more in social interactions now.

You must be exhausted teaching and bringing up a family. Good luck to you. I work 4 days a week and can't for the life of me see how id fit a child into the mix.

Good question. I’ll get to that in a minute.

I guess it’s a spectrum and everyone has a different profile. There maybe somethings you find easy and me difficult and vice versa. Try not to get jealous, I’m sure there are dating sites etc you can join? Defo somebody for everyone. 

Back to the diagnosis, in all honesty probably to make my ex wife consider whether our daughter has autism and seek help for her. My daughter struggles socially in school, hates the changes and is very rigid leading to her anxiety causing a sore tummy and not going to school. Whilst my ex agrees to these things happening, she won’t even entertain asd as a possibility. I’m hoping she might recognise a genetic link and at least consider asking the school to use ASD friendly strategies. 

looking back and analysing my ways certainly contributed to the break down of our marriage. 

Yeah tell me about, the overwhelming nature makes me think I shouldn’t have had my assessment sometimes. My MH has suffered and I’m constantly going is this because I’m autistic and trying to think how others might be feeling. At a meeting today (asking for interaction too) I felt really strange as in on edge and highly stimulated. I was wondering if that was normal and others felt the same or was it an autistic thing. 

Thanks for the advice. Hope you get your diagnosis soon. 

Cheers. Much appreciated. Hope your diagnosis helps. 

Ha, good question. I like the teaching side, as in reality it’s just acting. The meetings and adult interactions can be challenging. I’ve got a few good friends in work which helps. They weren’t surprised with my diagnosis 

Why did you get a diagnosis if you don't mind me asking? As you said you do alright in life. I got a diagnosis because life wasn't/isn't going well. I'm jealous. All my life I've wanted a girlfriend or/and sex. These thoughts are with me everyday. I got diagnosed with ASD a few months ago. I am 55 years old. 

do you like working in a school?

I would really love to find some groups near me. I find trying to find these things on other websites very confusing 

Hi AutisticTeacher,

I am an autistic teacher too, maybe we could help each other! Like you I used to teach SEN secondary, I know work with further education

It is overwhelming finding out you are autistic. I found out a year ago, and I am only just now coming to terms with it. Unfortunatley I am still on a waiting list for my official diagnosis. 

Hopefully this community will help you, I have found spending time on here talking to people and reading through their questions and answers to each other to be really helpful. Its just nice to know there are other people out there like you
You are never alone

Hi AutisticTeacher79,

The most helpful thing I've found personally was to look for opportunities to meet other autistic people, share experiences, and talk about how you feel.  I haven't been diagnosed yet (am still waiting for an assessment), but when I first started to strongly suspect that I was autistic, I was quite scared and overwhelmed because I didn't know much about it.  I found a local social group and, while I was very anxious about going to see them, I was so glad that I did.  I have learned much more about autism and feel much more supported.  I don't know what groups there might be in your local area, but you could have a look, if you think this may be something that may be helpful to you.  You could try the website Meetup.com. There are also online groups.  I recently discovered this website.   Front Page • Autastic.com  I haven't looked at it in detail, but I think there is some information on there about finding online groups.  There are also local NAS groups in some areas of the country, I think.  

Good luck and I wish you all the best in coming to terms with your diagnosis.  You're not alone.

Not at all. Secondary SEND ironically

I never received any help after getting my diagnosis. although this forum has been a great support.

do you mind me asking whether you teach primary or secondary?