Need advice

Welcome, Mate!

Yes, Citizen's Advice Bureau is usually the safest option for benefits. Though, given the state of the nation, benefits won't be as easy to obtain.

Just remember, when undergoing an assessment, to deflect away from questions about your good days.

1. Yeah it would but that’s class 1 lorry and am class 2 ridged trucks ! It’s more multi drop but yeah I will look for the long distance work! Thx for advice

Thx for your kind words

Hey Dave

I'm not able to offer any advice on benefits or form filling, and of course you need to make yourself feel financially secure, but also please do give yourself time to process it all. Once this initial rush is over you may possibly experience quite a complicated mix of emotions, and that's ok. You don't have to understand it all at once and you are also completely allowed to feel anything and all that you feel. 

Hope you get the financial stuff sorted.

Dude101 said:

What was the first thing you did ? Where did you start? Was you a late diagnosis like me?

Yes, I'm also late diagnosed (many others here are, too!).

I'm not trying to be a smarty-pants by saying this, but - honestly - the very first thing that I did was nothing. I'd found the whole process exhausting. And I felt overwhelmed, with my mind racing all over the place - including worrying about what best to do next.

So, given the state I was in, I gave myself a breather. One of the first things I did after that was to buy a book that gave me ideas for helpful changes that I could start to make:

Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask!

I also bought the therapy-related book that I suggested above. I found it very helpful in enabling me to choose the right option when, a few months later, I felt that I was finally ready to start with counselling.

Worth keeping in mind that your library might have, or be able to get, a copy of either or both of them, if they're also of any interest to you.

I'm also following the personal suggestions (as opposed to those made to my GP) in my diagnosis report. One of them was to join a forum like this one, so we can both tick that one off the list! :)

Hi Dave. You've probably already thought of this, but would long distance lorry driving work? I'm jealous of those people not having to talk to anyone in work.

What was the first thing you did ? Where did you start? Was you a late diagnosis like me?

Ah yes I understand! Sorry I misinterpreted what you said! It’s my autism haha! Yes bunny I completely agree with you ! My head is spinning with this new phase! The is to many directions and I don’t know which way to go! I know it’s 1 step at a time but I can’t find my feet! 

You're welcome! 

I'd also recommend speaking with your GP about next steps, as it's likely that your assessment report contains actions for them to take or consider taking (for example, referring you for a psychosocial needs assessment, or for therapy, etc). It may also include some actions for you to consider personally.

I'm sorry for the confusing phrase that I used. What I meant was that, ahead of my diagnosis, I hadn't dared to give too much thought to how I might feel afterwards, in case I was wrong about the whole thing.

But I guess that - in hindsight - I'd thought that I might suddenly be able to cope much better with all of my difficulties. Which, of course, isn't the case. Instead, it turned out to be the start of a new phase - exactly like you said, "a new beginning / starting over". But now with a better understanding of my differences.

Thank you bunny ! It’s definitely a new beginning for me! So I should go to citizen advice? And they could help someone with autism!? Then that’s what I will do !! First !! 
I didn’t understand what you mean a solution-rich conclusion?? 
before my diagnosis I was a Hgv driver earning good money ! But that job just got to much for me! As does all the jobs I’ve had! But with my autism I’d like to return as a Hgv driver but as a person with autism and not a person trying to act normal hehe! But first I need to start over ! 

Hi Dave - congratulations on your diagnosis and welcome to the community!

The NAS has a great set of articles focused around diagnosis, including one covering how you might feel during the subsequent days / weeks / months - you might find them of interest and/or helpful:

NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis

NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis - this includes an article on formal support, including potential benefit entitlements.  

Citizen's Advice should be able to help with claiming any benefits that you may be entitled to.

For me, as for many others here, my diagnosis turned out to be much more of the start of a new journey, rather than a solution-rich conclusion.