Hi

I have a Kindle Unlimited subscription because I read so much, it makes it cheaper than buying all the books I read. I don't have one particular favourite book. The ones I have particularly enjoyed over the last year were the Middle Falls time travel series by Shawn Inmon, The Undead series by RR Haywood, most of the thrillers by Frieda McFadden, and The Berlin Sisters and The Pianist's wife by Soraya M Lane (those last two are set in WW2)

I'm currently reading The Golden Cage by Kate L Mary - it's set on a fictional isolated island where girls are trained, ranked and judged according to their looks, not who they are. The most beautiful become tier 1 women, famous and admired but lonely as they are forbidden from seeing family or mixing with those from other tiers. The tier 2 women are trained to be dutiful wives who are "bought" from their fathers by a rich husband. Tier 3 women are allowed to marry but their fathers get no payment for them, and they are workers - the more intelligent can become teachers but many work as domestic staff. It follows the lives of 4 girls the same age who join the institute together at the age of 6. I've just got to the part where they are coming up to graduation and for various reasons they are all destined to follow different paths as adults. It's very interesting.

My favourite occult in Sims 4 are vampires - I haven't bought the werewolf pack as it didn't really appeal to me.

Hi Anonymous234.

I’m not entirely sure what it will involve. My GP said it will be a therapist who specialises in or has dealt with autistic patients before, I don’t know whether this will involve CBT – I’ve heard that CBT can be helpful for autistic people, though I think children benefit from it more than adults according to my GP.

I just asked my GP for someone who can help me with autism and she said a talking therapy with an autism specialist will be helpful and referred me. She did say it depends on your area and I think I’m just lucky that there is one in my area. I don’t know how long the wait times are, I’m hoping not as long as the actual autism diagnosis. That felt never ending!

It’s definitely worth asking about. It could lead to a lot of help for you.
If you look up people who speacilise in autism you might find some local people who can help. I looked it up and there’s a few in my area, some offer digital appointments or are willing to come to the house. A good backup for me if the GP referral isn’t successful or isn’t what I was hoping for.

I hope you can find something that works for you.

Anonymous234 said:

If there's anything that you are struggling with, I hope you get the support. And try to have to look at YouTube videos

Thanks so much. I hope I can find the right support – finding good support isn’t always easy. I’ve had dealings with mental health before and their support program wasn’t very helpful for me. Funny enough I replied to a thread about autistic Youtubers and have had a look at some of them.

Some sound like they will be eye opening. It’s just so positive knowing there are people out there spreading autism through their videos and offering a resource for others.

Anonymous234 said:

Personally, what you're writing, it seems like you're very intelligent

LOL many would disagree with you!!! 

I don't know about awesome but I hope I'm fun. Life's too short and serious to not be fun! 

Anonymous234 said:

Don't listen to the naysayers and haters. They just love you secretly inside

Amen to that.

Anonymous234 said:

You sound like a really caring and empathetic person

Thank you x.

I am very empathic, it's always been a major problem though because I'm unable to detach myself from feeling other's feelings. So if I see someone who is upset, even if it's a stranger, I feel their emotion ten fold. This is why I want to see someone who understands autism so they can help me work through this because I have no idea.
When I was at school a girl came in all upset and said how her rabbit died and I was more upset than she was by the end of the day...

I think if I was a counsellor I'd end up asking my patients to help me

Anonymous234 said:

Now I better stop typing more, otherwise I'll go baaaa-rmy (get it? Sheep and nature lol)

*clap clap clap*

Love the nature humour.

I think we're all a bit baaaarmy, nothing wrong with that

Hi August. I am replying to your message on this thread. I have never heard of an autism therapist before, is this the same as CBT? Please may I ask what do I ask the GP for 

I tried an NHS Service for therapy/counselling, but they told me they mainly deal with people who have mental health conditions...

So I think it's a case where I'll have to do some research myself instead. Try to find anything that works. Self-advocacy here. 

If there's anything that you are struggling with, I hope you get the support. And try to have to look at YouTube videos, or any webpages that can help with social skills. Day at a time, you don't have to research it all in one go. If you have learnt something that day, then that's good progress, isn't it?

Personally, what you're writing, it seems like you're very intelligent. I think if someone thinks you're weird, they either don't understand you as a person, or they're possibly not in a good mood, or maybe just not a nice personality. Many factors really. You seem awesome and fun.

Don't listen to the naysayers and haters. They just love you secretly inside.

You sound like a really caring and empathetic person, wish you were my counsellor lol. You have many interests and hobbies which I hope, at least, give you some comfort. I think you should start your own safe online community one day. I'd be one of the first to join!

Now I better stop typing more, otherwise I'll go baaaa-rmy (get it? Sheep and nature lol)

I think people should speak their minds, however I understand why not everybody does. If you change your mind I will listen and offer support, if wanted/needed.
Always be true to yourself and sod everyone who thinks you shouldn't 

Thanks for the luck. I need it lol.

I thought about reiterating my own struggles but I decided not to.  It's the same story told countless times across all of existence.  I wish you luck, people like me are quietly shunned for having independent thoughts and daring to dream beyond the autistic bubble.  I'm not afraid to say the world is a stinking garbage dump and the people suck.

Hi again. I don’t see a problem in that, so many people find self validation and comfort with a self diagnosis or they choose to get diagnosed like I did. It really depends on the individual and whatever works for them. I highly suspect my brother is autistic but if he wanted to I know he would be fine with self diagnosing rather than going the professional route.
So long as it brings you that comfort and self knowledge I think that’s all you really need. For me I Had to know. I don’t know why, I just had to and that’s brought me so much peace of mind and self validation.

Good job on sustaining working… this is something I really struggle with. Retirement must be nice, lots of time to play Sims 4

I love reading! Yeah they shouldn’t ageist like that. I think books can be enjoyed by all ages. I have some from my early childhood that I still read, and enjoy now. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
Do you have a fave book you like reading?

My fave book is The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern and I love the Skulduggery Pleasant book series.

Oooh your Sims 4 project sounds huge and a lot of fun!!!! Cool!!! I think the creating and building in Sims 4 is my fave part, I spend more time in CAS and build mode than actual gameplay, that said I do have a few Sims generations and legacy games that I’ve been doing ooh 3-6 years depending. I haven’t done my own worlds before though, that sounds fun and clearly is an amazing project to do. You’ll have to let me know how you get on with it, though clearly you have done amazingly already!
I would love to do more building in my actual game saves but I’m terrible at building!!

I love the premade households, the Goths are my fave followed closely by the Pancakes.

Did you see burglars are now part of Sims 4? I’ve enjoyed having them in the game again. I like how the burglar alarm can be upgraded, mine shocks the burglars in my latest save.

What’s your fave occult to play as? I like the werewolves and ghosts. The werewolves get so much hate but I actually really like them lol.

I used to play a lot of Fallout 4. I need to get back to that at some point, it’s been a while!

Absolutely right. Always happy to listen and talk if you need

I saw in my email inbox you wrote a message earlier. It's gone now, but, if you want to re-write it please do. I don't know if I'll be here every day but if you write me I will respond. I can't help fix anything but I can be a friend and listen. Take care x.

Hi ArchaeC,

Thanks so much.

Pretty new diagnosis for you too then? I'm glad you got that validation, and that you found this site. I have a feeling this is going to be invaluable for me being here. I hope you find this site of help. If you ever need anything, I'm always here

Hi Echo! Welcome here

Hello August, welcome to the community.

I like your name. I am in my 60s and was diagnosed just last December.  I have finally found my place within this community. I hope you enjoy engaging with some of us.

Hi and welcome!

I joined 9 days ago. I'm still finding my way around.  

Hi again August

I'm not officially diagnosed. I did the AQ50 test (result: 42) and another one my doctor asked me to do and when he reviewed the results he agreed they indicated autism, but said there was not much point getting a diagnosis as I wouldn't get any support because I'm self sufficient and was working at the time. Having read the stories from other diagnosed adults on here it seems most of them were just told they were autistic and left to get on with it. I know it benefits some people to have a professional diagnosis, but I have trust issues and because I masked so well I didn't trust anyone to diagnose me. I know who I am and I feel I belong here, where I was welcomed from the first day I posted.

I like lots of different types of books, including sci-fi, fantasy, time travel, historical fiction, thrillers, satire and post apocalyptic stories. I have enjoyed quite a lot of books that are classed as young adult fiction, although I think it's a bit ageist to class books as such! 

I'm currently playing Sims 4, which is one of my favourite games. I say playing, but I'm actually working on a big project creating my own worlds - making lots of houses, community lots, households, etc. I kept a few of the original households - I like the Goth, Landgraab, Pancakes, Zest, Jang & Lynx households and the vampire ones Vatore & Straud so I kept those. I have the dine out pack so I've made a restaurant for most worlds, including a Chinese restaurant in San Myshuno called The Golden Moon, a Japanese one in Mt Korembi called Cherry Blossom Diner, an Indian one in Newcrest called the Taj Mahal (built to look like the Taj Mahal!), a gothic style one in Forgotten Hollow called Twighlight Bite, and a burger bar in the shopping area of Magnolia Promenade (shaped like a burger) I've also built some museums, and I'm particularly proud of my natural history museum which is shaped like an elephant. I have used lots of different architectural styles in my houses, including Art Deco style, a boat house, Greek villa, 1960s style bungalow, a lighthouse home, and one that looks like a space shuttle (some aliens live in that one)

My other favourite games are Fallout 4, assassins creed odyssey, BioShock & Hogwarts Legacy.

My experience is similar to Lotus  and yours. My birthday is the last day of August which meant I was always the youngest in my year at school. I've been enjoying GTA5 since 2013 offline mostly (I just got to experience it online for a few weeks on my PS3 before it was shutdown for PS3s online in December 2021). Lately I'm also enjoying watching this YouTuber playing through it for the first time ever as I'm very familiar with the story and so on    www.youtube.com/.../tyT9bhfyqqA 

Welcome The Fool. I think you have a lot of things to share. Sharing is caring. :) August  I think it would be worth hearing this person's struggles and hopefully find a way to support them somehow.

....

I’m sorry you feel so isolated and lonely. I can relate to this, it’s pretty much how I have felt all of my life so far. I’ve tried making friends in the past but it didn’t work out. I’m awkward around people, always anxious and I think it shows and makes people feel I’m weird. Suddenly going off on one about things like birds or the interesting colours of leaves probably doesn’t help mind!

Sorry you were bullied. This is something I also experienced; secondary school was a lot more challenging from this point. I know it can lead to scars that run deep. I hope things are better for you now.

Have you thought of getting an autism therapist or support worker?

My GP has referred me for an autism therapist as she believes this will help me better understand myself and cope with the way autism affects me on a daily basis. I don’t know how long the wait times will be but I’m hoping this will be helpful for me. It doesn’t help that after diagnosis there’s no post support, just sort of leave you to it and find your own way lol.

I hope being here helps you.

Thanks, it’s partial because my mum’s mum was named August and because of the time of year I was born.

When I was born my mum said it was a perfect august evening, warm, sunny and one of those days that feels never ending but nice. She said it felt fitting and right that I should be called that.

Nice to meet you Lotus and congrats on your own diagnosis. Masking for over 50 years must have been difficult. I’ve found the last 20 or so years difficult, can’t imagine how 50 must have been for you. I’m glad you got there though and have found this site too.

What books and games do you like?

I like gaming. I play The Sims a lot and have been enjoying GTA as well lately.

I have very restricted interests: walking every day, spending time with family, spending time in my room everyday just watching YouTube. It feels so isolating and lonely too. It's not really fun. I don't have any other outlets apart from this forum really. I have tried for years to make friends with others, especially with young people my age. But they're not very understanding of my autism difficulties and assume I'm whatever they think. I've experienced bullying in my younger years and always stays with me.

Quite often, I have meltdowns where I lose control and struggle to contain my emotions. I'm looking into solutions, but I really feel stuck what to do about it. I genuinely can't help it and my family now understands why. Hopefully I can get the help I need, I don't have many close friends, just my parents, dog and brother. Or any other family to rely on, as they're very selfish and only care about themselves. I am hoping sharing my experiences with you gives you some comfort knowing that you're never alone.

Hi and welcome to the community - I like your name.

I'm a woman in my sixties and retired. I didn't discover that I was on the spectrum until I was in my fifties, so for most of my life I was masking and struggling with dealing with people.

I enjoy reading and playing video games, and interacting with others here. I hope you enjoy chatting with us.

Fitting in doesn't sound much but it's so difficult. Just saying hi to somebody can feel like climbing the tallest mountain, but I try. Sometimes people reply, others don't and some people just nod or smile. Those days those people make me feel like a queen lol.

I wish it wasn't so hard interacting with people. I want to join a group or activity, one to do with wildlife would be fab but my anxiety usually puts a stop to it before I've even started.

It's good you go out for walks, do you go with your dog? I wish I had a dog. I would love one I bet they make the best friends and it's nice to have company when you are out. I go for walks sometimes but drive more often than not, mostly because where I live it's in the middle of nowhere and impossible to walk to town.

I have so many hobbies and interests but I always struggle when it comes explaining about them to others. Maybe because I have so many and I wouldn’t have enough time or words to express how much they mean to me.

I’m kind of hopeless with explaining things though and this doesn’t really help. Increasing social skills is on my To Do List and maybe then this will help me in future. In the meantime I’ll hang here and hope I can pick up some tips from others who are better at interactions than I am.

But back to my interests. I’m interested in wildlife and nature, both mean a lot to me and I like watching things and reading books to do with wildlife and nature. Growing up I loved watching the CBBC show Deadly 60 after school. I also enjoyed collecting wildlife books and encyclopaedias.

I also like

• Music
• Lego
• Gaming
• Writing
• Poetry
• Reading
• Dance
• Graphic design

and lots more!

Thanks! I feel less alone since writing my post this morning. It feels nice to be part of an online group that really does get it and understand.

I hope you find being part this community helpful too.

Thanks for being so welcoming.