Jannih

I'm so glad it was fine . I was about to say " Jeans are a no-no." I would have suggested smart casual, but it does not matter now !

Diagnosis at Last Last week, I was given a choice of 2 dates for an appointment with The Maudsley Behavioural Genetics Clinic. Today I was seen and assessed. Considering most of my difficulties revolve around sociability problems, I was surprised to be given a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder with a possible mild learning disability ! They recognised that I had autistic traits but not enough to put me on the spectrum. Although I recognised ADD traits, I am not sure that I match all of them. They have suggested a more in-depth ADD assessment, plus they took blood for possible Fragile X and any other related genetic disorder. They have suggested CBT, Ritalin, following the in-depth assessment. I am at this moment in time, trying to get my head round this unexpected diagnosis.

January would be fine. Greenwwich is a bit far out. Possibly,somewhere more central, like Hyde Park, Covent Garden or South Kensington for the museums etc. What about a tube station with lots of links to various lines.

It's open to everyone, if we do it, that is.

Are we having another Christmassy Meet, like what we had last year ? Does anyone know ?

I can relate to that. I think you have more or less self diagnosed yourself, but now want the official recognition. I don't think it has anything to do with "wanting to have Aspergers."

Ask the NAS to recommend a psychologist who specialises in Autism/ Aspergers. As for not being scruffy enough to qualify for a diagnosis, what a heap of c**p. Sure enough, there are those who don't bother with personal hygiene but there also those so called " lipstick aspies" who are very much into their personal appearance. What some people need to learn is, that we are all individuals.

The more times women are diagnosed, they will be able to build up aa description of Aspergers and how it affects females.

They are lovely.

I really identify with that quote. I just kept quite, kept my head down low and tried not to get noticed too much. What people also find hard to understand, is that I can get up and sing in front of a group of strangers, so they are then thinking that I am extrovert but cannot do social chit chat with them. They are left thinking that I must be an aloof snob !

Don't put it on your CV that you have an ASD. Allow them to select you for interview first, then drop in that bit of info towards the end of the interview. Or leave it until they ask you about your medical history.

Thanks Tally and everyone, you have all been very supportive.

Good News I have just received a letter from the Maudsley Hospital along with the Autism Quotient questionnaires for me and someone who has known me well for a very long time. There is an 18 week waiting list for an out patient assessment. I really began to think that I would not get it, especially as the last psychiatrist I saw, thought I had done pretty well in managing my "problems" I haven't use the term "ASD" as I might not have it and won't know until after the assessment, but you know what I mean. The psychiatrist also told me that it would cost £1762. I am wondering whether the dear people at the PCT thought, " Ok, we are going to lose our jobs with the spending cuts, so who cares, and lets spend everything in the kitty before we get the chop"

Hi Bluesbreaker. The exemption under the Equality Act, will be related to age. You have to be over 18 to legally work in a pub. Go ahead and apply for it. You have lots of experience, you obviously love bar work and and it would be a waste if you didn't go for it. Nothing ventured nothing gained, as they say. Jannih

Very depressing TV viewing. It's awful to say it, but maybe we have to go back to the old system of separating people with learning disabilities from the rest of society, but instead of building hospitals, build self sufficient communities instead, where people who are different can feel safe. Of course if I had my way I would like to lock up these tormenters up and throw away the key. The criminal system always appears to favour the criminal and not the victim. The criminals are the ones who should be removed I have found an interesting website, about the work of the Camp Hill Trust. They provide small communities for people with mental health and/or LD issues. It's a shame that there is still a need for this type of community in this day and age but it is worth having a look. I think that if I was experiencing the same hell as the people in that documentary. I would be applying to join the the Camp Hill Trust. http://www.cvt.org.uk/

I have just read a lovely heart warming story. It's about a autistic boy and a cat that pentrates his closed world. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/204270/Magic-cat-that-rescued-our-autistic-son#

I got lost in the NHS system for the 2nd time this year. I phoned the Maudsley to see if my assessment was forthcoming and once more they had not had a response to a letter they sent to my local mental health trust. The letter was sent at the beginning of June. I phoned the the local clinic, only to be told that the secretary of the psychiatrist, Dr. K, who took over my case from the one who did the initial consultation, knew nothing about me. Needless to say I was a bit upset and so I went there in person and asked to see the practice manager. Fortunately she was able to find a letter from the primary care trust which confirmed that they were still iin the process of making a decision re. funding. I told her that I had been removed from the Maudsley waiting list once before and that they should have acknowledged the Maudsley's correspondence. After leaving the clinic, I popped in to my GP practice and asked for a repeat prescription for my arthritis. The receptionist told me that the GP might or might not want to see me and that she would call me at home and let me know if I could collect a prescription or whether I would have to see the GP. On Tuesday I received a phone call telling me that an appointment had been arranged for me to see DR. C. That day came, and I went into the GP surgery and told them I was here for an appointment with Dr. C. They told me I was in the wrong place as Dr. C works in the mental health Clinic, just down the road. So I went there thinking that they would have news regarding the funding. It turns out that the Maudsley or the Primary Care Trust contacted them again and requested that I be seen by the head psychiatrist. I was shocked to find myself in another consultation, for which I was not prepared. After I came away I was upset, as there were things I could have said to help my application, which I didn't. Dr. C told me that she thought I probably was on the spectrum, but because I worked and had my own house, I didn't need help. She said I was very self aware and had successfully worked around my strengths and weaknesses. What I failed to tell her was that my coping mechanisms used in social situations were now unravelling and sometimes alienating people around me. With all the cutbacks, I am beginnig to think I may have to go private. Sorry for the rant, but I needed to "talk" to someone.

Hi Tomcat, good to have you on board.

I am surprised that you are being pressured to go down the psychoanalysis route. CBT is known to have proven benefits for people with ASD, and it's cheaper! Are you being treated privately or through the NHS. If you are being treated privately, then that may explain it, ie. someone wants to make a bit of dosh, by recommending a therapy that is time consuming and expensive.

I agree. The one who was kicked off, behaved like a little Hitler. I didn't like the short haired blonde woman with specs, either. She continually undermined the team leader. The trouble with these would-be apprentices, is that they are so egotistical and have no sense of team spirit, which is vital to any good busiess.

Hi, It can be associated with disturbances in the temporal lobe of the brain, as in temporal lobe epilepsy. With this type of epilepsy, the person does not necessarily lose consciousness.

I agree with those things highlighted by Trekster. I also think that there are some in that list that Trekster didn't feel were applicable, one being, "I speak in a loud voice when stressed." Sometimes it can be an exceptionally quiet voice with some, but the volume is not normal. You certainly have a vast number of traits but you will never know unless you go for a diagnosis. All the best.

I think you have every right to be angry with this rescue. Surely they must have known about this problem before you took on the resposibility of this cat and it is only right that they should have given you a full history of this pet. Was it a well known charity eg Cats Potection or RSPCA ? You are right, you did not sign up for an incontinent cat and I don't think you you should feel bad about returning him either. Any decent charity should willingly take back an animal if there is a danger of the cat-owner realtionship breaking down over such issues. I often think that when we hear stories of cats dumped in bags and chucked in ponds that it is done by those who are afraid they might get the 3rd degree if they take it to a Rescue. The rescues should be aware of this and take the cat back without making you feel guilty. What breed is your cat. I know Persians are susceptible to neurosis and often have toileting issues. I once had a persian cat who was peeing by the front entrance after she was frightened by someone banging loudly on the door. It got to the point where, in deperation I phoned Cats Protection and they gave me lots of good advice. I managed eventually to get her "clean." Of course I realise each cat is different and yours has "IBS" which can psychological in origin. I think, that if you throw water over the invading cat, he should eventually get the message that he has strayed onto the wrong turf. Can the vet recommend cat foods? There are some good brands which you can buy in Pet shops eg Royal Canin, Techni-Kal and Science Plan. Adding dried food to the diet might help but they must have plenty of water nearby. My persian used to eat Royal Canin for persian cats and her stools would sometimes be too dry and I would have to give her a kitty malt paste to keep her "well oiled" and prevent hairballs. It is best to avoid the cat foods found in supermarkets. The dried food can be supplemented with whatever meat the family are eating that night but cook it seperately so it does not contain salt and other additives they should avoid. Best of luck.I hope you get this problem resolved soon.

Does anyone know how long one has to wait between getting a general psychiatric opinion to being notified that the NHS will fund the ASD assessment ? I had my appointment with a local psychiatrist in the latter half of April and have not yet heard if I will be referred to the Maudesley. The last thing I heard was that The Maudsley would accept me pending funding and that the local psychiatrist had applied to the Primary care Trust for this on 4th June. We are in September now. I am wondering if it took this long for others. I am concerned as I know there are financial cutbacks and I think the longer it is delayed the less chances of funding. I spoke to the psychiatrist by phone at the beginning of August and he seemed to think it could take 3 months from his pplication in June, but I still have not heard anything. It wasn't easy trying to get this information as I was given the run around i.e told to phone the Maudsley, they told me to phone the local clinic and the clinic told me to phone the Primary Care Trust and they in turn told me to go back to clinic. Eventually the Psychaitrist phoned me himself. All this happened on a day off and now I'm back at work I am not in a position to go making several phone calls. I would be grateful if someone can give me an idea of how long it took them to get their referral.

Hi Tally, I bet that's a load off your mind, not to mention you have found a like minded colleague and he happens to be your line manager. I am so glad it has worked out well for you. Jannih