Published on 12, July, 2020
Hey NAS.
I hope you all are doing well. I have just been diagnosed ASD October 2020. I am so relieved that I now have a diagnosis as I can understand an awful lot about my childhood and early adulthood.
I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy in 1991 by a panel of neurologists and doctors as back . My childhood was extremely sheltered, did not socialise with anyone and kept myself to myself. Starting as an adolescent due to trauma and devastation from parents, neglect and loneliness I started with what I thought was depression and mental health. As the years past what I thought was depression and mental health became dramatically worse where I almost lost full respect from my family.
Then 3-4 years ago, one of my sisters stated that I might be ASD. I didn't know what to think at the time, so the initial thought was 'in one ear and out the other'. Then six months later I started to think about that statement my sister originally said. I started doing some research online because 3-4 years ago I didn't know what the symptoms of ASD were, and found out quickly, it is a wide spectrum.
When I realised that the symptoms that I have had most of my life matched the research I did into Autism. I decided to make an appointment with my GP to discuss getting an assessment. I was then transferred to a mental health specialist who referred me onto the waiting list.
I have been in a number of employments throughout the start of my adult life including working for myself. After being out of work for over a year, I saw a post to join a company which I have been longing to work for, for the last 15 years. Now I am part of the Civil Service working part time.
With having this diagnosis, I now understand everything bad that has occurred to me leading up to the moment I got my results. I am grateful and thankful of my diagnosis, as I can say 'I now know who I am' and that feeling feels good.
The only thing I am struggling with is where I can go next in relation to having the correct support. I have been a member of NAS since October 2019 and been reading the community at least once or twice a week.
I don't do socialising in person and I especially don't do social media, but it be nice to have a little natter with the community and hope you would welcome me into your community.
why not indeed ........ Welcome to this Forum The civil service are very good for Neurodiverse people. Good pension scheme and good flexi scheme