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Support for a 19year old with autism 1.

PrettyPurpleDaisy

Hi everyone.

We currently live in Sweden and thinking of returning home to the UK as everything is just so hard over here. Question is, would it actually be better if we returned?

My daughter is almost 19, autism level 1 diagnosis, awaiting a possible adhd diagnosis too. She is high functioning in the right environment. She is intelligent, funny, even sociable with the right people in the right place. Problem is, it's generally not the right place or the right people. She is overwhelmed by noise, smells, touch, eye contact and  deadlines meaning she has been unable to function at a regular school. She now has her "secondary level" qualifications via various other routes but would like to go to college and university. 

In Sweden she seems to fall in a gap between "regular" people and autistic people. She can't cope in a regular environment yet the other option here seems to be with a much lower functioning set of people that doesn't fit her either.

Is it the same gap in UK? What options are there for schools? And how easy is it to access support? Here I've had to fight for everything.

I also didn't get past secondary school, got diagnosed with adhd 8 years ago after a full on breakdown. I don't want the same life for her. I'm not recovered myself and am running out of fight - especially in Swedish which I've never quite managed to be fluent in. My daughter also considered English to be her mother tongue.

Coming home seems like a dream but it could turn out to be a nightmare.

All opinions appreciated

Parents

  • Hi PrettyPurpleDaisy,

    There is the same gap in the UK. 

    I have one proviso though. About English being your first language. For me, this could be the one thing that could mean you both would feel happier back in the UK. I think it is about belonging in a culture. And for you both, saying English is your first langugae is like a symbol of where you might belong better. The other thing is when you say you are running out of fight. Would you have more supportive family back in the UK?

    So I do have a disclaimer that affects my judgement on your question. I returned to the UK from overseas, thinking that I would belong better. I'm afraid the social problems I had overseas, just came along with me. 

    Whatever you both decide, I wish you all the best.

  • in reply to mrs.snooks

    Thanks for your input. Yes the language problem would go away. Unfortunately my family are not supportive so that doesn't help.

    Pity its the same gap! Pensive 

  • in reply to PrettyPurpleDaisy

    Does your daughter share the language problem though, if she grew up in Sweden? Sweden is a good country to get an education in, but I don't know how much there is support for autistic people. I worked at Chalmers Tekniska högskola for a year, but I didn't know I'm autistic back then. Most of us level-1 people go through life in a regular environment, I guess. 

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  • in reply to PrettyPurpleDaisy

    Does your daughter share the language problem though, if she grew up in Sweden? Sweden is a good country to get an education in, but I don't know how much there is support for autistic people. I worked at Chalmers Tekniska högskola for a year, but I didn't know I'm autistic back then. Most of us level-1 people go through life in a regular environment, I guess. 

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