Seeking Insight and Support – Possibly Autistic, Struggling with Longstanding Challenges

Hi Barney and welcome to the community!

Many of us here are "late realised" and/or "late diagnosed", so you're in good company! :)

For a general introduction to the various aspects of autism, along with links to learn more about both the types of difficulties we can experience, and some strategies that we can use to help us cope better, I'd suggest starting here:

NAS - What is autism?

In respect of potentially seeking a formal diagnosis, I'd suggest reading through the resources in the NAS's diagnosis hub, which cover all stages of the process. For example, these articles (from "Before diagnosis") might be particularly helpful at this point:

NAS - Signs that a child or adult may be autistic

NAS - How to request an autism assessment

For those living in England, the second article includes information about Right to Choose (RTC), which enables access to private assessment providers who might have shorter waiting lists than the NHS, but with your referral and assessment still fully funded by the NHS.

You mention having already completed some online tests. The NAS articles include links to some screening questionnaires that you can complete, to get a better idea of whether your suspicions might be correct. However, you might prefer to use the website below for this. It includes some very useful commentary for each questionnaire, and enables them to be completed online (with scores calculated for you), saved as PDFs and - if the results support your suspicions and you decide to seek a formal diagnosis - printed off to take with you to the GP.

The AQ-10 or AQ-50 seem to be the most frequently used / required by GPs in support of NHS referrals (including via RTC). (RAADS-R might also be helpful, although some recent research has thrown doubt on its validity as a screening tool):

Embrace Autism - screening tests

Barney said:

For example, a close friend recently came to visit, and I had a hard time managing managing my behaviour and emotions. In the past, I would have chalked it up to depression and/or anxiety. But now, I can see elements of Masking, Burnout, and Shutdowns.

You might also find these NAS resources helpful, including the strategies suggested in the first one:

NAS - Autistic fatigue and burnout

NAS - Meltdowns

NAS - Masking

Hi Barney and welcome to the community!

Many of us here are "late realised" and/or "late diagnosed", so you're in good company! :)

For a general introduction to the various aspects of autism, along with links to learn more about both the types of difficulties we can experience, and some strategies that we can use to help us cope better, I'd suggest starting here:

NAS - What is autism?

In respect of potentially seeking a formal diagnosis, I'd suggest reading through the resources in the NAS's diagnosis hub, which cover all stages of the process. For example, these articles (from "Before diagnosis") might be particularly helpful at this point:

NAS - Signs that a child or adult may be autistic

NAS - How to request an autism assessment

For those living in England, the second article includes information about Right to Choose (RTC), which enables access to private assessment providers who might have shorter waiting lists than the NHS, but with your referral and assessment still fully funded by the NHS.

You mention having already completed some online tests. The NAS articles include links to some screening questionnaires that you can complete, to get a better idea of whether your suspicions might be correct. However, you might prefer to use the website below for this. It includes some very useful commentary for each questionnaire, and enables them to be completed online (with scores calculated for you), saved as PDFs and - if the results support your suspicions and you decide to seek a formal diagnosis - printed off to take with you to the GP.

The AQ-10 or AQ-50 seem to be the most frequently used / required by GPs in support of NHS referrals (including via RTC). (RAADS-R might also be helpful, although some recent research has thrown doubt on its validity as a screening tool):

Embrace Autism - screening tests

Barney said:

For example, a close friend recently came to visit, and I had a hard time managing managing my behaviour and emotions. In the past, I would have chalked it up to depression and/or anxiety. But now, I can see elements of Masking, Burnout, and Shutdowns.

You might also find these NAS resources helpful, including the strategies suggested in the first one:

NAS - Autistic fatigue and burnout

NAS - Meltdowns

NAS - Masking