Hello

Hi Silverback.

If I may say, you are looking at this wrong. You haven't been GIVEN ASD by your diagnosis. ASD has been identified as ALWAYS there. This can only be useful information for you to find better ways of coping. It's not unfortunate. You are actually very lucky because there are lots of people on long waiting lists, or put off by long waiting lists who would love to get this information.

Not many of us are people people. But a lot of us still find this site useful.

Not really now am branded with asd something I don't want 

I may have been diagnosed but I'm keeping it a secret and not telling a soul it's embarrassing  

Out of interest why seek a diagnosis at all ? if there was risk you could be diagnosed with ASD.  That said I think where you are right now (post diagnosis) is common to many following diagnosis, so go easy on yourself and I believe acceptance will come in time.

I'm a recent late diagnosed - who has done very limited disclosure since.  The diagnosis has helped me start to understand things and more importantly I've been able to access therapy which has been helpful.  3 months ago I was heading to a bad place and was lucky to get assessed and diagnosed within 6 weeks and start therapy 2 weeks later, I do wonder what state my mind would be if I didn't seek diagnosis.   There's still lots for me to fathom out and work on, but hopefully my future will be easier to navigate.

Also as a newbie (well recent knowledge to me)  there's some great support and wisdom on here, particularly those with more experience of living with autism.  Just take you time for the diagnosis to sink in , hopefully you'll stick around too - so wish you well

Out of interest why seek a diagnosis at all ? if there was risk you could be diagnosed with ASD.  That said I think where you are right now (post diagnosis) is common to many following diagnosis, so go easy on yourself and I believe acceptance will come in time.

I'm a recent late diagnosed - who has done very limited disclosure since.  The diagnosis has helped me start to understand things and more importantly I've been able to access therapy which has been helpful.  3 months ago I was heading to a bad place and was lucky to get assessed and diagnosed within 6 weeks and start therapy 2 weeks later, I do wonder what state my mind would be if I didn't seek diagnosis.   There's still lots for me to fathom out and work on, but hopefully my future will be easier to navigate.

Also as a newbie (well recent knowledge to me)  there's some great support and wisdom on here, particularly those with more experience of living with autism.  Just take you time for the diagnosis to sink in , hopefully you'll stick around too - so wish you well

Hi Silverback022 

Thanks not looked into PIP myself. I suspect I may not qualify however I will check.

I've also found a local support group that is of help - we have had some online workshops so good to meet others online - they do provide chance to meet each month in person ( I haven't done) or provide phone support.  I know they are not everywhere but worth checking the autism-services-directory to see if there's a group near you

Pip