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Hi ! Nice to meet you all. Looking for some advice?

domx17

Hi there nice to meet you all, 

I've recently thought about my life in the past and present of how I deal with situations, sensory, social interactions etc and they all tick the boxes of autism and maybe a bit of ADHD. I'm 27 and looking at how to start getting a possible diagnosis?

My sister who is 24 has had autism since she was very little and when I've communicated with her I feel like she 'gets me' on a personal level through autism if you get what I mean. The way she acts and sees life is the way that I see it, I must admit I'm not at the same spectrum level as her but I've always felt inside personally that there's something just not right, my symptoms started when I was around 14 in high school is when I started to REALLY notice my actions, particularly behavioural. I'm unsure of how to word the rest but it feels like autism crossed in with ADHD. I've never been able to stick to a job for more than 2-3 months, I've never had a job where it's been permanent and that I enjoy. I also struggle to find hobbies that I'm interested in, the only one I have and ever had is gaming, and everything else bores me. I've been on UC for quite a while on LCWRA, not worked for around 2 years. (I live at home with my father). I also suffer badly from anxiety and do not want to leave the house for anything.

I have had trouble with GP in the past so I've sent a self-referral letter to my local autism centre place who deals with the assessments (can't remember the name but it is in South Wales UK). As I can't afford to go private either.

Any help, advice or even just someone to say that it sounds like I have or just so I know I'm not crazy will be a big help. 

Thank you,

Parents

  • Hi - I think it’s often a gradual realisation for many of us. Initially my youngest son was diagnosed with Autism when he was about 10, then my eldest was diagnosed in his mid twenties, and then I was diagnosed relatively recently in middle age. As your sister is autistic I’m sure you are so familiar with all the autistic traits so I’d be very surprised if you’re not right about your own situation. Before my son was diagnosed I’d always felt ‘different’ and struggled with so many aspects of everyday life - but I just didn’t know why. Then once my youngest was diagnosed it started to dawn on me that I was autistic too. But it took me many years before I decided to get an assessment - because I wasn’t sure if it would make any positive difference to have one. However I’m glad I did go and get the diagnosis- I found it very validating and it’s sometimes been helpful to explain to people why certain things are more stressful for me. 
    I think it’s good that you’re going to get an assessment - I hope it goes well for you. Regarding work: I think it can be so challenging for autistic people to find work that is suitable for them. My eldest did very well academically but when he left uni and went into the workplace he struggled to focus on work that had no meaning to him - he has a diagnosis of ADHD too btw. He found the social side of work really exhausting too - all the chit chat etc - which is a surprisingly significant element of being in a workplace. He’s now gone back into academic work again and is much happier in that environment. My youngest son has struggled much more and dropped out of college during the pandemic, and has never had a job. He has Selective Mutism so struggles a lot. However they are both wonderful people and have worked very hard to deal with so many challenges - and I am so proud of the people they are. I think as autistic people we need to acknowledge that it’s not easy for us, and not feel bad about the fact we can struggle a lot with many things. This community on here is so welcoming and supportive and it’s great to talk to people on here because they really understand what it’s like. Best wishes to you - and good luck with everything.

  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    Hi ! Thank you so much for your reply. I feel much more comfortable after hearing your situation and your eldest sounds very much like the way I feel and dealing with the work side of life. I just hope my self referral gets accepted and looked into :( Also scared about if they invite me for an assessment in person, I won't be able to cope with an in-person assessment. I've been to the GP before about me feeling like there's something different and the way I cope and see life, to other people I don't "look" or "sound" that much like autism, so I'm thinking that I'm on the spectrum but low end. They've pushed me aside and failed me and say well it might be your energy levels, this and that.. and just generally push it aside. It's infuriating. That is why I've gone the self referral route, there is no way I will ever be able to go private either. 

    Thanks again for the response! 

Reply Children
  • in reply to domx17

    I just contacted my GP and she referred me. I’m in England - not Wales - so I’m not sure how it varies depending on region. I wouldn’t worry about the doctor thinking you’re ‘bonkers’ - hopefully they’re a bit more professional and insightful than that! And if they’re not……there’s not much you can do about that!

  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    Hi again, I hope you don't mind me asking (I live in Wales so not sure if it's different where you live) but have I gone the correct route with getting assessed? I sent a self referral form to my health board who deals with autism assessments. Is it worth me trying to go to the GP and asking them for a referral? I'm constantly scared they won't believe me and think I am totally bonkers.. how did you go about getting assessed? 

    Thanks!