Published on 12, July, 2020
Recently diagnosed with ASD and ADHD (privately) aged 51 and desperate to talk to an ND specialist to help me understand myself better and what support I need (personally and professionally for work and my business) so that those around me can understand me better too.
How do I access talking therapy and/or find a support worker? I’ve felt so alone since receiving my diagnosis and struggling to communicate what I need as I am constantly being triggered to justify my being and my conditions and disability.
I’ve applied to a local organisation called Ramms and need help with the access to work and waiting for a response just like the psychiatrist who diagnosed me. Yet meanwhile have no ND specific support to help me with the practicalities of day to day life and identify what I need in place just to get through the day.
Thanks for listening! Any help or advice would be very much appreciated x
I was only diagnosed autistic, not ADHD.
Have you started medication? Where do you stand on this?
Oh that's great!
Hi Ottilie, no I havent been offered anything specific noi doubt something else I'll have to get my head around and figh for options... I'm a massive fan of counselling though and literally just received a call from Ranss the local organisation. I'm being offered a support worker of my choice and made a booking for next Friday. Plus they're going to send me a list of resources and access to counselling but there is a long waiting list for and look at getting my head around everything that is available. But at least finally things are looking up!
I even asked her about Access to Work and the questions I was struggling with, I've just ploughed through and made two applications - one for my employment with hubby and one for my own business. so onwards and upwards!
I love ND people and need to find where they all are!!!!
Hmm, not sure I agree with the talking therapy recommendation. I find that I have masked in therapy and get anxious about sessions and try to script what to say beforehand, which only adds to my anxiety. Have you had talking therapy before and if so did it help? I find reading books and listening to podcasts by autistic people more helpful than talking with someone that doesn't have lived experience.
If you look at this link you can type in your postcode to see what services are available: https://www.autism.org.uk/directory
I'm in the same position as you, waiting for my report. I'm going to use it (basically copy and paste sections of it) for any relevant forms I have to fill in.
Have you started medication?
Yes, I'm still waiting for both reports. They take 3-4 weeks. So ADHD diagnosed on 9th May and ASD on the 14th June. So playing the waiting game. Was told Talking therapy and Medication were the routes but given no direction as to what to do next or where to ask for help.
Been told about Access to work but struggling to complete form and need help with the practicalities of everyday life and communication because I can't express or articulate what I need.
Is the psychiatrist going to send you a detailed report with recommendations for accomodations, etc ?