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I have hardly posted anything (although I read a lot!)... I had an ADOS test, and was told that the lower number is the Autistic Spectrum cut-off and the higher number is the Autism cut-off. So if the lower number is 7 and the higher number is 10, if someone scored at between 7 and 9 inclusive, then they would most likely be diagnosed with an ASD which would be Asperger's or PDD-NOS. Whereas, if someone scores 10 or above, they would be diagnosed with Autism. Someone could be diagnosed with Autism and score less than 10, or Asperger's and score more than 10, however, depending on the other assessments, questionnaires, etc. that are used along with the ADOS. So I think it's just a guide.

Thanks I still panicked massively last night, and didn't sleep very well (I remember looking at the clock at at least four different times!). I think it's because of the unexpectedness - nobody had ever mentioned to me that I might need to claim DSA... was it something I was just supposed to know somehow? The thing I'm most worried about is the forms going to the house. I got a letter from student finance a week ago, at home, which my dad opened and told me the "Customer reference number" so that I could apply for my student loans online. When letters go to the house after I've applied, will they say on them something along the lines of "Here is what you're claiming: Maintenance loan - �x amount. Tuition fee loan - �x amount. DSA - �x amount"? And then next year, will they say "Please re-apply for your maintenance and tuition fee loans, and DSA"? I could get by without the extra help. I have done for the previous 19 years (including 1.5 at university), getting reasonably good marks, working very, very hard. What if somebody, one day, decides that I actually don't have AS, so don't deserve any help, and therefore, from the time I'd start having extra exam time, extended library loans, meeting with the person from the NAS, etc. I'd been having an unfair advantage?

I didn't know whether to put this in here, or start a new topic... Sorry if this is wrong I had a Disability Support Assessment at my university's Disability Support Office today. It lasted two and a half hours! She asked me if I had considered applying for the Disabled Students' Allowance, which I hadn't, but she said that the person from the NAS that I have been seeing is paid by the university, who are paid by DSAs. So now I'm absolutely freaking out. I really, really don't want my parents to know about my diagnosis (we have issues of extreme over-protection) - please don't try and convince me otherwise! But all my bank statements, stuff from student finance and everything go to the house, and they open them. In my panic at the time, I can't remember exactly what she said (I can't really remember what anyone says if they only say it verbally and not in writing ). I've read the website. I don't want anything about it to be sent to my "home" (I use that term loosely!) address, and I don't want any money that isn't my student loan going into my bank from them. Is this plausible? If there isn't a way around my parents seeing it then I'm actually willing not to receive any support, which is how much I do not want them to know. I'm in extreme panic mode

I do feel anxious most of the time. Lots of things that might seem small or insignificant to other people can make me stressed. Added on top of the social pressures, the course I do at university (it's very "social"), and the workload (whoever said that students don't do any work hasn't met this one! ), I guess it does add up to a lot of underlying anxiety. I have always done this, though. Maybe before, there were other triggers. I've actually never thought of it as a stress thing before... I'd actually not really thought about it much (apart from attempting to hide it when I realised other people generally didn't do this too!), despite having done it for a really long time. Often I don't realise I'm doing it - in fact, I'd say most of the time I am not aware of having done anything until afterwards. This could still mean it's due to stress; but would probably make it more difficult for me to do something about it, because I'd have to first bring it into conscious awareness every time. I'm not really sure what to do. I mean, yes, it could be classed as a form of "self harm". I don't know if it's doing any psychological harm.

Some people might find this slightly offensive - as in gross, disgusting, yucky etc. Sorry if you do I hope I've put it in the right place... I should hope that by age 19 and 5/6ths that I am "beyond adolescence"! I know that having "stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms" is one part of the diagnostic criteria for Asperger Syndrome. When I had my assessment, I said that I didn't really do that (although I do rock sometimes <--- it's a joke about "rocking" ). More recently I read a blog by a person with AS saying that they stimmed when they excessively bit their nails and the skin around them. I didn't (and still don't) know if this is included in the "stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms" part. I don't bite my nails, but when I was a young child, I did. Ever since I can remember, though, I've picked the skin from my fingers until they bled and were red raw. I used to walk around with my fingers looking like I'd been burned, they were that bad. I would have to pick and pick until the skin was acceptably smooth and continuous with the skin around it. I still do this, though often not to the same extent... although, I've realised that I do it very often - I can't remember a time when I have actually had unbroken skin on my thumbs . I know it wouldn't change anything about my diagnosis if it was or wasn't something to do with AS; I'm just curious to know if it is an AS thing and that other people do this too, or if it's just me!

I wonder why they turn up for the lecture if all they want to do is talk - surely there are common rooms and refectories where they could do that as loudly as they liked The lectures I have are compulsory, and people have only talked really loudly in one (and I'm a second-year!). I usually sit near the front to block out as much external stimulation as possible! I think, though, that people do talk at the back of the room, but they're less likely to be noticed up there. How close to the front were you sitting? Would it be worth you sitting closer to the front next time and seeing if it is as noticeable? I think emailing the lecturer/someone important in the school and telling them would be a good idea too.

Alas, I don't fit the student stereotype of Big Drinker The world will be easier to take over if our minds aren't dampened by alcohol, though...

I'm studying for a healthcare course - I don't want to say what exactly in case it makes me easily identifiable (I don't think there are spies everywhere, but I like to be careful! ) There's lots of interaction involved though, within both the course and the final job... which is why the support has come at the right time. Thanks for the welcomes

Hi I'm 19, at university, and was recently diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. I went to see a counsellor about a few problems I was having, mentioned the possibility of me having AS to her (that was unplanned), she agreed... one thing led to other things and now here I am! I've been reading this forum for a few months, before diagnosis, but haven't been brave enough to post until now It seems to be a very accepting community... just what I need xx