Published on 12, July, 2020
I am not sure where to start...
In April my oldest son (13yo) was finally diagnosed as autistic. He is so very like me that it is like looking in a mirror. When he is struggling I know exactly how he feels... it is hard to explain... I know because that is how I feel in similar situations. I am not sure I am explaining this well. The more I researched asc in order to better support my son the more I felt that I could be reading about myself. A counsellor several years ago suggested that I might be autistic and might want to be assessed. I thought about it briefly then dismissed it.
A few months ago I contact my local IAS and asked for self referral forms. Just after, at my meds review, I told my gp that I had the forms to fill in and she thought this was a good thing for me to be doing. I completed most of the forms around this time and then put them to one side to be procrastinated over.
This week I saw a psychiatrist for the first time about my anxiety and the possibility of changing meds. The ASC stuff came up. He asked me some questions snd said that I definitely have autistic traits. I spoke about my troubles with having a job without being signed off and/or leaving and he said that I might need to accept that I need to work differently because of my disability. He encouraged me to complete the ASC referral forms and send them off.
Initially I felt really positive about that appointment. My suspicions had been validated. But now I feel scared and confused and no closer to completing the referral forms.
I am not totally sure what I am hoping for in response to this post... not to feel so alone probably.
Sadly, confusion seems to be part of the process. the new understanding of how your brain works upends a lifetime of coping strategies. I suggest watching some of the great youtube Autism channels. Search YT for autism and loads of great vids will show up.