Teenage Diagnosis: Now what?

Hiya Urspecial,

Thanks for the tips :D

I know what you mean about having a new name for your 'difficulties', but luckily most of my family just put it down to me being myself and never questioned it too much, putting my 'anti-social behaviour' (spending 15 mins in a room packed full of adult relatives then running out claiming I need the bathroom and only returning 2 hours later) due to being a teenager.

I was wondering, how did your parents react to the news?

My mum's still silently beating herself up over my diagnosis :( First thing she said when we came out from the diagnosis appointment was 'I'm so sorry baby, I just thought I'd messed you up with the divorce'. I've tried to comfort her in the only way I know how, explaining how neither of us knew anything about aspergers or ASD until CAHM's told us about it, but like most of the 'other' people she still seems to be suffering from guilt.

To be honest this is what probably earned me the nickname 'Spock' from my younger sibling, my lack of understanding of how (in my opinion) overly emotional people act.

And as for the 'downside' that comes with the diagnosis in terms of difficulties....

I've spent 17 years making my way through life, struggling admittedly but I've never felt I had limits. The psycho's (my name for psychologists) were impressed at how well I'd adapted all by myself over the years, so getting told I'll always have these issues may be daunting, but it won't stop me trying to overcome my anxiety and do new things.

I mean, I went to South Africa (once in a lifetime trip, no way can I ever afford it again) to visit my step-mums relatives during the summer holiday, nearly broke my sisters hand on the plane and spent all holiday faking being sociable but I still went and now I'm home I'm proud I did go, because even though at the time I was really struggling to cope with the massive immense change in place and routine, now I can look back and reflect on the better things I did and felt while I was there.

Also, before the diagnosis, I'd managed to make a few friends (people I hang out with at school) who are anything but 'normal', and they struggle to understand the in-crowds behaviour too.

I guess what I'm saying is that I realise how important it is to reflect on what I've achieved already and to use this diagnosis as a way of getting the help I need as and when I need it, rather than as an excuse to hide away from the world (I don't like people, thats the only excuse I need XD).

Right now though main topic at hand is university. But like I said, school is now on my side (for once) and actually making efforts to prepare me for the change.

Thanks again for your reply, will definately be looking into those links :)

Hi KaloJaro, 

Once I got my diagnosis 2 yrs ago - Im 18 - the only info I came across for ASD was aimed at toddlers and to the rare chance at those entering year 7.

I also got it through CAMHS  but had been diagnosed with OCD first.

Most of wht I learnt about ASD was from NAS website - as i really didnt know what ASD really was - apart from a little 'bout communication and social difficulties i'd been having for a very long time and always feeling odd or as I now put it being unique. Everyone with asd is special; hence my name. Bringing the positiveness about ASD back.

Anyway, try reading a bit.

Though if you need some extra support and can get it then you might not want to go in too much detail - as it brought me down - asd people can't do this, that and the other.

We CAN and Have and WILL  but just have difficulties. These difficulties vary from person to person.

If you’re still at school you might want to ask for a statement of special educational needs - you probably wont get one but can still ask!

Might also want to look into the future - i know scary right - but the following might be good once youve finished school and need a helping hand:

Transition Plan - Connexions, your local council etc. This has your educational, housing needs etc that you have at the moment and may have and how these can be met. 

You may want to ask for this now and it usually lasts until your 21 or 25 if still at college.

Social Care Assessment - Child in Need (under 18s) or Community Care (over 18s)  Look out for things like Individual Budgets/ Personal Budgets/ Direct Payments - basically money from council to get the support you need.

I hope some of this is useful to you an others.

All the best!  

Hi,

Thank you both for reply :)

I checked out The Den, it seems pretty easy to use and has simple wording to explain how to act or behave in everyday situations. I found the video resonses coupled with the written information helpful, but I feel theres no way of contacting others that may be using the same site, which is a bit of a shame.

I also saw a teacher that specialises in ASD at my school and she's managed to hunt down a book that she'll go through with me to help me come to terms with my condition and how exactley it affects me. Shes also encouraged me to speak to the other kids with ASD at school even though they're all younger than me, because that way we can practise being sociable as well as learn how they've coped since they were diagnosed, which is a bonus but still a little intimidating.

With any luck I'll be able to work through it in a few weeks :D

Hello KaloJaro

There's a website that's designed specifically for teenagers called The Den:

http://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/theden

There's information about a range of topics which you might find useful e.g. friends and relationships, work and study, and more. It would be interesting to know what you think of it, hopefully it's a bit more at your level.

If anyone else has any more suggestions it would be great to get them on here.

Good luck.

Sandra - mod

Hi Kalojaro

My son has been recently diagnoised with AS at the age of 16, you are right there is very little out there in the way of teenage support, however depending on where you live there is a brilliant set of courses/training open to the newly diagnoised (up to 18months after diagnosis I think!) in England (unfourtunatly we are in scotland so cant access them) They are called "Help!  ......." and then whatever subject you are mostly after  help with and they have a few courses aimed at teenage/ transition to adulthood for both you and your parents. You can look them up on this site. Also there is a Teen suport group available in some areas through the NAS.

Hope this helps

Sam

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