Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi, Everyone,
I've recently been diagnosed with High Functioning Autism/Aspergers in my 40's and I'm wondering if there are support services or groups for people like me who are just about coping with life but could do with a little extra support? From what I can see online so far, the majority of the support is aimed toward children and parents and those with more severe learning or behavioural difficulties. I understand that these groups have the most acute challenges, but I'm wondering if there is anything in the community for those, like me, that are just about muddling along. Any help in finding any groups or support would be gratefully received. Thanks for reading.
Chris
I would be interested in this too - I'm in my mid 30's in the North West. I am "muddling through" life. It's peer support I'd like more than anything. Just to be able to talk with people who are in the same boat. Maybe we should set up our own peer support group.
I totally agree. To be honest we are barely ‘muddling through’ at the moment. It’s been really helpful for me to come on here - and it’s made me realise that the people who I can really relate to and talk to are other autistic people. I know it sounds stupid but I hadn’t really grasped this before - I thought I was just rubbish at making friends and I found socialising so stressful that I just withdrew from it. My youngest son got an autism diagnosis about 10 years ago when he was at secondary school - and that’s when I realised that I was autistic too - and things started to make sense. My husband has lots of autistic traits, and my eldest son is autistic (although he managed to do brilliantly academically so is currently doing quite well in the conventional sense - despite having lots of challenges due to his autism). Our situation at the moment is that we have had a very difficult year and both my youngest son and I are just about managing to get through each day - but struggling so much. We are totally burnt out. There is so little help for us. My son gets an hour of CBT on the phone a week - that’s it. I’m on a ridiculously long waiting list for therapy for PTSD. None of this is helping. The best help I’ve had is from coming on here and talking to people who understand what it’s like. It’s been such a relief to realise that we’re not alone in that respect.
Yes I think MH services are very stretched at the moment - that is my experience. Althought I think they always have been stretched it's just the pandemic has exacerbated this. Have you had a look at non-autistic support groups in your area? Can your MH team direct you to some? (Mine recommended lots of community groups etc that I could have a go at accessing). I did a mindfulness course last year with my local adult education centre - it was free for people with mental health needs (basically anyone then). In my area things are not well publicised so until you go asking you don't know what's on offer.
My son doesn’t open up to me about what his ocd thoughts are as he finds them very distressing to talk about - so I don’t know. I don’t even know the subject area of them. I can see what your getting at though - but without knowing I can’t apply what you’re saying to his situation. I can see the distinction you’re making and it’s an interesting perspective. The CBT he is having for is OCD hasn’t helped at all - so far he’s had 7 sessions.