Published on 12, July, 2020
My 24 year old son has Aspergers, although not diagnosed as there is no funding in Ayrshire for adults to be diagnosed, we have done all the online tests and he scores high on them all.
We have now found out he has a gambling addiction and is thousands of pounds in debt. I am worried sick and don't know how to deal with it. We have made him go to gamblers annonymous and also took bank cards off him, informed gambling sites/payday loans of his addiction. What else can we do?
It might be worth contacting the helpline for Scottish Autism if you have not already done so: www.scottishautism.org/services-support
Getting an autism diagnosis might well be helpful in terms of identity and accessing services and support - how does your son feel about this? Is it something he would feel comfortable about?
As well as engaging in interventions for gambling addiction it might be helpful for your son to know if he is autistic. This may affect his decision making quite a bit.
The health service guidelines for Scotland seem to suggest that assessment should be offered if autism is indicated by screening tests.
In England to get an NHS assessment you have to show that autism causes significant problems in daily life. It is important to give examples of this when asking for a referral.
Here are short and long versions of the Scottish health service guidelines for autism:
Short reference guideline www.sign.ac.uk/.../qrg145.pdfFull guidelinewww.sign.ac.uk/.../sign145.pdf
There is quite a bit of useful information in these documents. I am sure Scottish Autism will be able to provide helpful advice too.
GPs are often not familiar with the autism assessment and referral guidelines so it is sometimes helpful to share relevant sections with them. It also helps to have a print out of the autism screening test results and a summary of problems in everyday life that seem to be consistent with autism.
All the very best to both of you. Do encourage your son to join this forum - he will find lots of support and encouragement here.
Thank you @Sunflower, my son is aware he has Asperger traits. I will try again with the gp to see about getting diagnosis, but they are so reluctant to help.
Many of us have had to fight really hard to get a diagnosis as adults, or have had to pay for a private diagnosis. Definitely worth asking Scottish Autism about this - they seem to offer diagnostic services and they are a charity. Best wishes.