The autism thread
Discussion
Sporky said:
I got a referral by my GP, she had me do the AQ10 and the result was enough to back a private referral. I had had some anxiety issues (which I now know were rooted in having to do things that my autism didn't like), and a chum suggested that the anxiety might be a symptom rather than just a thing itself. I did Raads-r and some other online tests, got convincing scores, and decided to go for it.
I'd found a very clear and friendly assessment place - Questa Psychology - who were on Bupa's books. Took a lot of wrangling but they funded the initial assessment (about 90 minutes of friendly but intense interview, plus half a dozen questionnaires), Questa recommended the full malarkey. That took a lot of arguing with Bupa but they eventually agreed that it was covered by my policy.
A formal result does put you under the protection of the Equality Act, which may have benefit. I found that work were very accommodating anyway, but it did mean I could formalise some working arrangements rather than feel I was going to get caught (not that I was doing anything wrong).
I do, I think, understand the person earlier in the thread who felt they shouldn't have bothered, but for me I think it was worthwhile. I can adjust my self-expectations in particular, so if I want and don't want to do something I can plan it better - picking a quiet time, wearing earplugs, that sort of thing.
Interesting about the anxiety and autism. I have always struggled with social things and just thought I was shy. My wife did a special needs training course and covered a lot about autism and she then noticed all the traits I have, sensory sensitivities, cannot have my routine changed, special interests. I have had a lot of anxiety issues as well and I do think there is a link between the two. Currently in quite a bad anxiety phase and a lot of that is being caused by a few things going on at work and incidents and I haven't had a calm or routine week for ages, yesterday I was just petrified of what was going to happen this week.I'd found a very clear and friendly assessment place - Questa Psychology - who were on Bupa's books. Took a lot of wrangling but they funded the initial assessment (about 90 minutes of friendly but intense interview, plus half a dozen questionnaires), Questa recommended the full malarkey. That took a lot of arguing with Bupa but they eventually agreed that it was covered by my policy.
A formal result does put you under the protection of the Equality Act, which may have benefit. I found that work were very accommodating anyway, but it did mean I could formalise some working arrangements rather than feel I was going to get caught (not that I was doing anything wrong).
I do, I think, understand the person earlier in the thread who felt they shouldn't have bothered, but for me I think it was worthwhile. I can adjust my self-expectations in particular, so if I want and don't want to do something I can plan it better - picking a quiet time, wearing earplugs, that sort of thing.
Did a lot of online tests and scored very high on them all
I havent had it officially diagnosed because it was expensive and Axa wouldn't cover it. I have just accepted that is what I have and explains the problems I face.
Can see some traits starting to show in my kids as well.
Scabutz said:
I havent had it officially diagnosed because it was expensive and Axa wouldn't cover it. I have just accepted that is what I have and explains the problems I face.
I recently registered with a Doctor which confused the hell out of the receptionist as I haven't been to a Doctor for at least 35 years. I asked whether getting a diagnosis would help me at all and she said probably not unless I wanted to claim benefits. Personally I found the realisation that I was on the spectrum completely changed my understanding of everything about myself. For instance I got sent to a boarding school for my 6th form years and I can remember during the first week playing music at full volume after classes back in the boarding house but I had no idea why I did it. It instantly became clear that I was completely overwhelmed by the whole experience and that all I could do was try and concentrate on the music and to try and blot out all the chaos around me. I still think its quite weird that I can now understand myself so well just by thinking that I am autistic but it explains everything..
Its really obvious now that my mother is also on the spectrum. Which of your parents do you think is on the spectrum?
Derek Withers said:
Which of your parents do you think is on the spectrum?
My Dad. Again it was my wife who noticed the traits in him. I tired talking to him about it, to see if there was ever any discussion about me when I was young, but autism wasn't really understood back then. I was describing the things that I do, and problems I have and he kept saying "yeah but I'm like that also", and I kept wanting to say, yeah because you're autistic too.
Scabutz said:
Derek Withers said:
Which of your parents do you think is on the spectrum?
My Dad. Again it was my wife who noticed the traits in him. I tired talking to him about it, to see if there was ever any discussion about me when I was young, but autism wasn't really understood back then. I was describing the things that I do, and problems I have and he kept saying "yeah but I'm like that also", and I kept wanting to say, yeah because you're autistic too.
She arrived in England from Denmark in the 60s and made the front page of a tabloid for being good looking. its so obvious now that she could never say no to men in the same way that I have been taken advantage of by women, that was the most bonkers conversation I have ever had.
There is a beautifully shot short BBC series just starting about understanding the minds of people with autism. Website includes some simple resources to help the neurotypical person get better insight into what it feels to be living with an autistic brain.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/autism
https://www.bbc.co.uk/autism
Scabutz said:
I havent had it officially diagnosed because it was expensive and Axa wouldn't cover it. I have just accepted that is what I have and explains the problems I face.
Although there is a fairly significant waiting list (and I think it varies by region), it shouldn't cost you anything. Your doctor should be able to refer you for a diagnosis.davek_964 said:
Scabutz said:
I havent had it officially diagnosed because it was expensive and Axa wouldn't cover it. I have just accepted that is what I have and explains the problems I face.
Although there is a fairly significant waiting list (and I think it varies by region), it shouldn't cost you anything. Your doctor should be able to refer you for a diagnosis.yes you can get it done on the NHS, but there will be a long wait, and length is dependent on local CCG or whatever they are called now. Alternatively a private diagnosis will cost 1K+ usually. There are people who do pre-diagnostic screenings for a few hundred quid and give you a pretty good indication NAS do them and Aspire Autism Consultancy
It is debatable whether you go for a full formal diagnosis, as you rightly said there is no 'treatment'. There are however common occuring issues such as depression, anxiety, cPTSD related problems, which are treatable. Also people can have potential issues in the workplace where a diagnosis makes reasonable adjustments easier to negotiate. Women can be vulnerable to predetors and awareness can reduce that possibilty.
Also note Autism also commonly goes hand in hand with ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia etc and often the lack of self awareness and feeling 'everybody is like this I'm just bad at it' can mean a diagnosis can give a massive feeling of relief and sudden awareness of other conditions.
Having a diagnosis can help in some of these circumstances. As well as treating related conditions (depression anxiety) talking therapies can help build strategies for coping and 'understanding yourself.
Apart from reasonable adjustment in the workplace or benefits you probably dont need a formal diagnosis and you could self declare and live your life as an autistic person with all the baggage that that brings.
It is debatable whether you go for a full formal diagnosis, as you rightly said there is no 'treatment'. There are however common occuring issues such as depression, anxiety, cPTSD related problems, which are treatable. Also people can have potential issues in the workplace where a diagnosis makes reasonable adjustments easier to negotiate. Women can be vulnerable to predetors and awareness can reduce that possibilty.
Also note Autism also commonly goes hand in hand with ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia etc and often the lack of self awareness and feeling 'everybody is like this I'm just bad at it' can mean a diagnosis can give a massive feeling of relief and sudden awareness of other conditions.
Having a diagnosis can help in some of these circumstances. As well as treating related conditions (depression anxiety) talking therapies can help build strategies for coping and 'understanding yourself.
Apart from reasonable adjustment in the workplace or benefits you probably dont need a formal diagnosis and you could self declare and live your life as an autistic person with all the baggage that that brings.
While I am glad I got my diagnosis, it's worth pointing out that it is very common for diagnosis to lead to things getting harder, not easier, at least short term.
I found (and I've heard similar from others) is that I became even more aware of how weird and unpleasant the world is at times. I can't deal with a full day in the office any more - the sheer noise makes me want to bite someone (metaphorically) and run away (literally). I find a lot of shops overwhelming - the brightness, the illogical layouts, the patterns made by rows and rows of similar things. And I need more time to recover from these.
The upside is a better understanding of why these things are hard, and being able to give myself permission to avoid a lot of it. My GP also let me have a repeat prescription for beta blockers; when I can't avoid one of those situations, half a beta blocker turns the world down a bit -and clamps down the rising-sense-of-panic. It's a s
t strategy but it makes it survivable.
I found (and I've heard similar from others) is that I became even more aware of how weird and unpleasant the world is at times. I can't deal with a full day in the office any more - the sheer noise makes me want to bite someone (metaphorically) and run away (literally). I find a lot of shops overwhelming - the brightness, the illogical layouts, the patterns made by rows and rows of similar things. And I need more time to recover from these.
The upside is a better understanding of why these things are hard, and being able to give myself permission to avoid a lot of it. My GP also let me have a repeat prescription for beta blockers; when I can't avoid one of those situations, half a beta blocker turns the world down a bit -and clamps down the rising-sense-of-panic. It's a s
t strategy but it makes it survivable.Here is a good read from someone I know personally. Very powerful, open and honest about the struggles childhood and thru to diagnosis in his 40's. The missed opportunities, terrible NHS experience etc. and now light at the end of the tunnel. Part 1 covers ADHD (but there is a huge overlap with ASD and many will recognise the journey) there is a part 2 to be published later detailing the journey thru a ASD diagnosis that has more of a 'happy ending' ooh er missus.
In his own words 'my journey to hell and back'
https://aspireautismconsultancy.co.uk/adhd-and-me-...
In his own words 'my journey to hell and back'
https://aspireautismconsultancy.co.uk/adhd-and-me-...
Sporky said:
While I am glad I got my diagnosis, it's worth pointing out that it is very common for diagnosis to lead to things getting harder, not easier, at least short term.
I found (and I've heard similar from others) is that I became even more aware of how weird and unpleasant the world is at times. I can't deal with a full day in the office any more - the sheer noise makes me want to bite someone (metaphorically) and run away (literally). I find a lot of shops overwhelming - the brightness, the illogical layouts, the patterns made by rows and rows of similar things. And I need more time to recover from these.
The upside is a better understanding of why these things are hard, and being able to give myself permission to avoid a lot of it. My GP also let me have a repeat prescription for beta blockers; when I can't avoid one of those situations, half a beta blocker turns the world down a bit -and clamps down the rising-sense-of-panic. It's a st strategy but it makes it survivable.
I was thinking the other day, as I started to have murderous thoughts about everyone as I tried to find something in sainsburys. Maybe we need a "Man Shopping App". So you add your shopping list to the app and then it works out the aisles all the things you are in an does an aisle map for you so to plot out the most efficient course through the shop that enables you to pick everything up. Because I find the locations of things so totally illogical in all supermarket. I assume they are logical to someone, but not to me or any other blokes I know.I found (and I've heard similar from others) is that I became even more aware of how weird and unpleasant the world is at times. I can't deal with a full day in the office any more - the sheer noise makes me want to bite someone (metaphorically) and run away (literally). I find a lot of shops overwhelming - the brightness, the illogical layouts, the patterns made by rows and rows of similar things. And I need more time to recover from these.
The upside is a better understanding of why these things are hard, and being able to give myself permission to avoid a lot of it. My GP also let me have a repeat prescription for beta blockers; when I can't avoid one of those situations, half a beta blocker turns the world down a bit -and clamps down the rising-sense-of-panic. It's a s
t strategy but it makes it survivable.Arnold Cunningham said:
I was thinking the other day, as I started to have murderous thoughts about everyone as I tried to find something in sainsburys. Maybe we need a "Man Shopping App". So you add your shopping list to the app and then it works out the aisles all the things you are in an does an aisle map for you so to plot out the most efficient course through the shop that enables you to pick everything up. Because I find the locations of things so totally illogical in all supermarket. I assume they are logical to someone, but not to me or any other blokes I know.
Interesting. I too feel the need to kill people when they are in the way and I am trying to find stuff, but I put it down to my possible autism for why I now have a mental map of the asile layout of all the local supermarkets. If I ever go blind I could still shop. Till the fkers move st around again. When I write a list I do it in asile order
Sporky said:
My understanding is that they are generally arranged in an attempt to maximise your spend.
Oh yeah, I believe there is almost a complete science behind it. Same when you order online. As you check out it says hey you usually buy this crap and haven't you want it? Or what about these offers. I sometimes fall for it.
I had a very strange experience yesterday at Pizza Express. I looked around and felt like I was an alien masquerading as a human and felt like I was nothing like anybody else there at all. I used to quite like eating there as I can cut up a pizza with one hand and hold a book open with the other but it has really put me off.
sparkyhx said:
yes you can get it done on the NHS, but there will be a long wait, and length is dependent on local CCG or whatever they are called now. Alternatively a private diagnosis will cost 1K+ usually. There are people who do pre-diagnostic screenings for a few hundred quid and give you a pretty good indication NAS do them and Aspire Autism Consultancy
It is debatable whether you go for a full formal diagnosis, as you rightly said there is no 'treatment'. There are however common occuring issues such as depression, anxiety, cPTSD related problems, which are treatable. Also people can have potential issues in the workplace where a diagnosis makes reasonable adjustments easier to negotiate. Women can be vulnerable to predetors and awareness can reduce that possibilty.
Also note Autism also commonly goes hand in hand with ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia etc and often the lack of self awareness and feeling 'everybody is like this I'm just bad at it' can mean a diagnosis can give a massive feeling of relief and sudden awareness of other conditions.
Having a diagnosis can help in some of these circumstances. As well as treating related conditions (depression anxiety) talking therapies can help build strategies for coping and 'understanding yourself.
Apart from reasonable adjustment in the workplace or benefits you probably dont need a formal diagnosis and you could self declare and live your life as an autistic person with all the baggage that that brings.
I spoke to my GP. I was speaking to them about Anxiety which had got bad again and we talked about triggers for it so I mentioned about possible autism and a lot of maybe traits related to that caused some of the anxiety. One point being inability to read between the lines or work out what someone really means and then worrying if I have said and done the right thing.It is debatable whether you go for a full formal diagnosis, as you rightly said there is no 'treatment'. There are however common occuring issues such as depression, anxiety, cPTSD related problems, which are treatable. Also people can have potential issues in the workplace where a diagnosis makes reasonable adjustments easier to negotiate. Women can be vulnerable to predetors and awareness can reduce that possibilty.
Also note Autism also commonly goes hand in hand with ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia etc and often the lack of self awareness and feeling 'everybody is like this I'm just bad at it' can mean a diagnosis can give a massive feeling of relief and sudden awareness of other conditions.
Having a diagnosis can help in some of these circumstances. As well as treating related conditions (depression anxiety) talking therapies can help build strategies for coping and 'understanding yourself.
Apart from reasonable adjustment in the workplace or benefits you probably dont need a formal diagnosis and you could self declare and live your life as an autistic person with all the baggage that that brings.
Anyway they sent me a questionnaire to do and she said she would refer me for an assessment if that indicated I needed it. I scored 42 out of 50 so I assume thats enough to be seen. Guess I just wait for a referral letter now
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