what do i have ?

Hi detour12,

Autism diagnosis is as they say a postcode lottery. People report widely differing experiences of diagnosis around the country. In some places it is harder to get a diagnosis and people are passed off with a lesser diagnosis with little prospect of support.

I think the key point is you are having another meeting, so they are still considering your difficulties. You need to ensure that your difficulties are taken seriously.

For that to be realised I think you need an advocate to support you and look after your interests. There should be citizen/community advocacy services in your area, but again they vary greatly and some know nothing about autism. They will provide guidance to people with learning difficulties or mental health problems.

Failing that is there a relative or friend who can attend the next meeting with you?

You don't say your age, but things are very different between teens and twenties (move into adult services - still very unsatisfactory) and also very variable for people who are older.

You mention that moving on from a difficult situation takes you longer than others your age. By that I interpret that you cannot step back easily and start again?

Diagnosticians seem to be fixated by certain manifestations of autism and ignorant of others. They would pick up on something similar - not being good at stopping what you are doing (a task or an interest) and moving on to something else.

But people on the spectrum also have difficulty resolving perceived hurts and therefore stepping back from a difficulty and 'walking away'/making a fresh start. Because of lack of social referencing and difficulty understanding people's intentions, they find it hard to disentangle themselves, whereas non autistic people seem very able to just let it go.

But that won't be something a diagnostician would look for - too complex.

Before the next meeting read the 'what is autism', 'what is aspergers' pages on the NAS website. That will give you a better idea of what they are looking for, and you can give some thought to whether you have these traits or not.

Feeling lonely and sad could have other causes, as could having difficulty making friends. But I think you need to familiarise yourself with what autism involves, as it will make it easier to understand their decisions.

You can get these problems with dyspraxia. Dyspraxia affects coordination and balance, but also has impacts on social connections. There is a lot of overlap between the two.

But if you can find someone to support you through this. You need an advocate.

Hi detour12,

Autism diagnosis is as they say a postcode lottery. People report widely differing experiences of diagnosis around the country. In some places it is harder to get a diagnosis and people are passed off with a lesser diagnosis with little prospect of support.

I think the key point is you are having another meeting, so they are still considering your difficulties. You need to ensure that your difficulties are taken seriously.

For that to be realised I think you need an advocate to support you and look after your interests. There should be citizen/community advocacy services in your area, but again they vary greatly and some know nothing about autism. They will provide guidance to people with learning difficulties or mental health problems.

Failing that is there a relative or friend who can attend the next meeting with you?

You don't say your age, but things are very different between teens and twenties (move into adult services - still very unsatisfactory) and also very variable for people who are older.

You mention that moving on from a difficult situation takes you longer than others your age. By that I interpret that you cannot step back easily and start again?

Diagnosticians seem to be fixated by certain manifestations of autism and ignorant of others. They would pick up on something similar - not being good at stopping what you are doing (a task or an interest) and moving on to something else.

But people on the spectrum also have difficulty resolving perceived hurts and therefore stepping back from a difficulty and 'walking away'/making a fresh start. Because of lack of social referencing and difficulty understanding people's intentions, they find it hard to disentangle themselves, whereas non autistic people seem very able to just let it go.

But that won't be something a diagnostician would look for - too complex.

Before the next meeting read the 'what is autism', 'what is aspergers' pages on the NAS website. That will give you a better idea of what they are looking for, and you can give some thought to whether you have these traits or not.

Feeling lonely and sad could have other causes, as could having difficulty making friends. But I think you need to familiarise yourself with what autism involves, as it will make it easier to understand their decisions.

You can get these problems with dyspraxia. Dyspraxia affects coordination and balance, but also has impacts on social connections. There is a lot of overlap between the two.

But if you can find someone to support you through this. You need an advocate.