• Replies 6 replies
  • Subscribers 25 subscribers
  • Views 1395 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Don't know how to get help

BritinArabia

Hello everyone,

I'm Frank, 40 years old gay male, ex-pat teacher in Saudi Arabia, and trying to work through all ths alone. I live in Saudi but visit family in Britain on leave every 4 months for two weeks. I would like to try to get a diagnosis, I've done all the self-assessment tests and they all point towards Aspergers or high functioning autisim.  I did the AQ test, score 42. EQ test 14, Aspie test 138/200.. I don't know how to access help or diagnosis though... here in Saudi Arabia there are private counsellors trained in autism and Aspergers, but many only offer their services in Arabic, due to legal issues I also don't want to discuss my sexuality here. I would find it easier to talk to someone back home. It has really been getting me down recently, so even if anyone knew of any counselling service that was available on Skype, that would be a big help. Thanks.

  • Im sure it was, I can imagine it brings a lot of clarity and explains many things you asked yourself.

    If I am diagnosed with AS, it will be a eureka moment and I can be more accepting of myself as it is something tangible I can look for ways to live with.

    Thanks for your encouragement.

  • It was a powerful moment when I got my diagnosis, and oh! how my life has changed.

    Hope yours does too, we all know only too well the isolation that the condition brings!

    I cried (still do sometimes, when I'm on here) when I found out that it wasn't just 'me'.

    You are no longer alone Smile

  • Hi Classic,

    Thanks for taking the time to write your kind reply, that's a big help. Certainly I will contact Dr Powell too. To be honest, just reading through some of the posts, as I have been over the past few days, has been a great help in knowing that there's a community of kind people out there to engage with. Even if attending an official diagnostician is not possible, given my work overseas,  in the meantime just knowing that there is a supportive community out there is a massive relief.

    Thanks again! 

  • Hi BritinArabia

    Welcome friend! You're certainly in the right place to talk to AS people, so if you can join in with some of the conversations, well, we might not be able to do much, but we can talk with you. Being on the spectrum is isolating, and this is one place where we don't feel alone or missunderstood.

    Looking over past threads can be very useful, and I'd encourage you to mine through them.

    I don't know if this will be any help at all, but I'll give you these details of someone who, I understand, will take a self-referal. IWhat I don't know is whether he applies geographical limits, and you don't say which part of Britain you come home to. Given your circumstances it's probably best not to give away information on here that can identify you. However, if a couple of 'ifs' go positive, that is to say if he can take you and if you can get there, this Doctor is a highly respected (i.e very busy) AS diagnostician in this part of the world. If he takes you on his list, I know for a fact that you will wait for the best part of a year for an appointment.

    There's always the possibility that he might be able to make special provision for your circumstances, but appreciate that you'll have to do this by snail mail. Can you communicate VIA your folks here?

    Anyway, he is:-

    Dr Trevor Powell

    Department of Neuropsychology

    25, Erleigh Road, READING RG1 5LR

    Tel: 0118 929 6472/77 Fax: 0118 926 3942

    I'm really sorry that I can't help any further than that, but we can all be here for you to talk to when it gets bad, and we DO welcome new chums Smile

    Don't forget the Helpline!

  • Hi Coco,

    Thanks for that suggestion, I will contact them tomorrow. 

    Best regards,

  • Hi BritinArabia,

    Welcome to the community forum, I am sorry you feel so isolated.

    Perhaps it would be helpful to contact the NAS helpline (link below) for some advice?

    www.autism.org.uk/.../contact-us.aspx

    I hope you find some support and advice soon,

    Regards,

    Coco (Moderator)