Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all,
I was diagnosed with ASD earlier in the year. Even though it is something I have thought and believed my whole life, I feel like the diagnosis has turned me upside down and I feel like I don't understand myself anymore. It felt like the assessor saw things in me that I don't see myself, but in the report she wrote, nothing of the sort was described. I received a post-diagnosis email but there wasn't much on there either. I just want someone to talk to who knows Autism well and I can organise my thoughts and learn more about myself. I have tried reading things online but it just doesn't seem to be helping. I want somebody to talk to about it all that knows what they are talking about. I just don't know where to turn.. I feel so isolated and alienated from myself, did anybody else have this experience? I'm from the East Midlands, can anybody signpost me to something that may help? I tried a peer mentoring-type service, but once I signed up I heard nothing more from them, I have sent follow up emails with no response also.. I have joined local groups on Facebook but it all seems to be child-centred and parents looking for school placements.
Any feedback would be greatly received, I don't want to keep feeling this way.
BumbleBee said:I just want someone to talk to who knows Autism well and I can organise my thoughts and learn more about myself.
My advice would be to get a therapist who has skills in autism and late diagnosis - they should be able to talk you through the issues that are troubling you.
Have a look on https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling
I see Nottingham and Derby on the list so hopefully there is one near you.
When you click on the city, click on the Filter button on the upper right and select Autism from the Specialities list to narrow the list.
Your sense of not understanding it is quite common for late diagnosed people and the following book may help you if you are still open to reading about it:
Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome - Wylie, Philip_ Beardon, Luke_ Heath, Sara (2014)ISBN 9781849054331
Note that Aspergers is now covered under the general umbrella description of Autism these days.
Another good book to cover the basics and save some time with terminology etc is:
Understanding Autism For Dummies - Stephen Shore, Linda G. Rastelli, Temple Grandin (2006)ISBN 0764525476
If you don't have the finances for a therapist then there are a few people on here you can try to add to your Friends list who may be willing to chat - browse the forums for those talking about similar experiences to yours that you feel "get it" and try adding them as a Friend so you can message them directly.
I didn't expect to find any therapists in my area who specialise in autism, but there is one about a 20 minute drive away who says he specialises in adults coming to terms with being autistic. All the stuff he says sounds exactly like what I struggle with. I'm wondering whether it would actually be worthwhile, because £60 per session seems like a lot of money to me.