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Just wanted to introduce myself

Kev_H_84

Hello all. My name is Kevin and I have recently been diagnosed autistic at the age of 41. My consultant also highly suspected ADHD but I couldn't afford to pay for further assessments. Unfortunately my NHS board do not offer any neurodivergence assessment services for adults.  A lot of things fell in place just after my diagnosis that helped to explain my past behaviours. Now im feeling a little lost. The journey is just beginning and I'm excited to see what comes, but I understand its a long scary road ahead.

I have been off work since August after my diagnosis and i'm not sure how I'm going to return. But as a grown man with a wife, 2 daughters, and a mortgage, i really need to figure it out soon. The lack of support for adults is depressing. How have other people managed in the working environment? I have been an engineer in the British Army with operational tours under my belt, and now i'm a Chartered Building Surveyor so I know I am capable of achieving great things. I just can't see myself returning to my current role now that I know i'm autistic.

I hope I can meet some like mind people in the community.

Parents

  • Hi Kevin 

    congratulations on your recent diagnosis. Hang in there and try and research as much as possible. It does take time to adjust to being your new and authentic self. 
    Could you perhaps look at being self employed in your field? I have been self employed for around 20 years now and it’s been a real help. Employment never seemed to fit for me and I think the longest I managed was 4 years. 
    I am not there yet and was diagnosed in June age 51, pretty much lost interest in most (but not all) of my interests which I thought would see me through some challenging times and struggling to mask my way through difficulties with my new found knowledge. 
    I have found a few people that I can talk to, one of which is adhd and bipolar and we are very open with each other which helps. 
    Therapy is helping me to understand myself more but it takes time, my therapist has lived experience herself being audhd.

    Stick around here, there are lots of friendly helpful individuals who share their experiences and offer some advice. 

  • in reply to Take5

    Hello, strangely although I know how difficult the journey is going to be, I’m pretty positive about it.

    I’m hoping to transition into self employed work, just need to make sure it’s financially sustainable whilst my kids are still young.

  • in reply to Kev_H_84

    Sounds like a great plan. It’s been good for me as I can have a recovery day if I need one and I’m mostly on my own which suits me. 
    I know what you mean about still feeling positive even though it seems like a long way off.

    Good luck with everything!

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