Help and advise needed in West Sussex

hello everyone. I won't go into all the details now as there is just so much to say, but for various reasons and incidents I have begun to believe that my 22 year old daughter may be on the autistic spectrum. She currently lives independently with her almost three year old daughter, and works full time as an admin apprentice at a college but has recently hit rock bottom. I fear she is abusing alcohol and smoking canabis. She says she cannot socialise without alcohol and she only feels 'normal' when she's drunk. She says she has always felt different and never really fit in. She was a late talker, but is very intelligent but she struggles with certain things. She has been taking antidepressants for three weeks. I haven't broached her yet with my suspicicions. Obviously there are lots of issues to deal with but I feel that a diagnosis might be a positive step. She might be kinder to herself if she knew why she struggled. 

Does anyone know if there is any where that does adult assessments in our area? What does my daughter say to the GP? And how do I broach it with my daughter? 

huge thanks in advance 

Parents
  • Chelleypop,

      I can only speak from my own personal experience, but diagnosis was a very positive step for me and has helped me come to terms with some pretty traumatic life experiences. 

    My own life nearly ended some years back following an incorrect accusation by the DWP. My severe reaction to the predicament I found myself in (It was the straw to break the donkeys back.) was what led to my diagnosis. Indeed I hit rock bottom before i got help.

    Personally, having the diagnosis has allowed me to reflect on my lifes journey and to identify some well trodden behavioral paths, Including a reliance on Alcohol to help me cope. Only now; armed with the knowledge I have, do I feel able to address this.

    It doesn't mean to say that days in the future won't be tough or that I won't be low again as my live is filled with anxiety, but I'm hoping that the second half of my life is different with this new found knowledge. We all have to start from somewhere and rulling out posibilities is almost as important as rulling them in.

    I would say acceptance is a very important part of understanding the condition. Having someone who understands you as a person is equally as important. An independant evaluation by someone who understands fully and who is able to guide you positively through the process, tends to inflect a positive view on the outcome in my experience, but you must do what feels right for your daughter.

    I've had to negociate the process alone (I have no reletives left.) but you sound very supportive of your daughter which is a great asset. Finding support in a timely manner was very important for me (The waiting lists were too much.) Please look at her assessment as a holistic process if she decides to go through with it. She may benefit from some therapy also.

    Do feel free to ask on the forum if you have any questions. Their are often people on here only too pleased to help.

    Coogybear

Reply
  • Chelleypop,

      I can only speak from my own personal experience, but diagnosis was a very positive step for me and has helped me come to terms with some pretty traumatic life experiences. 

    My own life nearly ended some years back following an incorrect accusation by the DWP. My severe reaction to the predicament I found myself in (It was the straw to break the donkeys back.) was what led to my diagnosis. Indeed I hit rock bottom before i got help.

    Personally, having the diagnosis has allowed me to reflect on my lifes journey and to identify some well trodden behavioral paths, Including a reliance on Alcohol to help me cope. Only now; armed with the knowledge I have, do I feel able to address this.

    It doesn't mean to say that days in the future won't be tough or that I won't be low again as my live is filled with anxiety, but I'm hoping that the second half of my life is different with this new found knowledge. We all have to start from somewhere and rulling out posibilities is almost as important as rulling them in.

    I would say acceptance is a very important part of understanding the condition. Having someone who understands you as a person is equally as important. An independant evaluation by someone who understands fully and who is able to guide you positively through the process, tends to inflect a positive view on the outcome in my experience, but you must do what feels right for your daughter.

    I've had to negociate the process alone (I have no reletives left.) but you sound very supportive of your daughter which is a great asset. Finding support in a timely manner was very important for me (The waiting lists were too much.) Please look at her assessment as a holistic process if she decides to go through with it. She may benefit from some therapy also.

    Do feel free to ask on the forum if you have any questions. Their are often people on here only too pleased to help.

    Coogybear

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