kerryt84

I have a strong interest in Ordodox Judaism too Glad to know I'm not the only one, lol Kerry

I'm thinking maybe it would be a bad idea. I don't know if it would stress me out more or help me relax so I guess I shouldn't take the risk. I've only been once but I loved it. They don't video the speakers unfortunately. There is a mixture of speakers talking, discussions and lesiure activites. There's also a sensory room. The thing I liked the most was being around other people who understood me for a change. In 'real life' I always feel the need to fit in as much as possible and not do things that aren't considered 'normal' but at Autscape I felt like I could be me and no one cared if I did things that aren't considered socially acceptable. Also you get to wear a badge showing how much you wish to interact so everyone knows whether you want to talk but find it hard to initiate of whether you're not in the mood for any interaction etc.

I didn't realise it was Monday to Thursday. I thought it was Tuesday to Friday. I really want to go but I'm getting married on the Friday. Do you think it would be too crazy going to Autscape the week I'm getting married? I found it so relaxing last year and wonder whether it would be a good thing to do to keep me calm :s

Thanks Tally, I'd really appreciate that

I'm going and it's my first time. I'm excited but quite nervous.

Sorry if this has already been posted, but I just wanted to know if any of you guys are going to Autscape this year? http://www.autscape.org/ Thanks, Kerry

Thanks guys, those are the exact sort of comments I was looking for. In particular KezT I really liked how you explained it. I suppose I would say I have mild Asperger's then, although it can become moderate if I'm feeling really stressed or overwhelmed. Is it ok to explain it like that? So because AS is on the autistic spectrum does that mean that if you have AS then you are autistic? Kerry

So now I've been diagnosed officially I want to write letters to the people close to me to let them know and educate them about AS. I'm still learning a lot myself and one thing I have heard strong opinions for and against is that AS is mild autism. Now I don't think I agree with this statement but I wanted to hear what other people think to help develop my views and understanding. Thanks in advance, Kerry

Thanks RainbowsButterflies. I'm glad about that. It doesn't affect my driving so I won't need to say anything. It wasn't a private diagnosis so I'm guessing they will pass the report to my GP. Still feeling on top of the world!

Hi everyone, I had my second AS assessment appointment today and the psychologist has said he is officially diagnosing me with AS. I feel so relieved that I wasn't imagining it all this time. I know it's a cliche but my life finally makes some sense. Is it true that you have to tell the DVLA about an Asperger's diagnosis? Also is there anyone else you legally have to tell? I feel like my journey is just beginning... Kerry

Thanks Smiley I agree Tally, I wasn't going to tell my Dad I saw traits in him, but I'm sure my mum will see the traits in him. I think it will help her though to see that there might be a reason as to why she finds him so difficult at times. I'm not going to point anything out though, I will let them reach their own conclusions, or not as the case may be My sister has a lot of social problems too. I think she has social anxiety though, rather than AS. So, they don't really have a 'normal' child to judge my behaviours against, but my mum works with children so she must be able to see there are differences. I am nervous about telling them, although it will feel like a huge relief to finally have them know about my difficulties.

Thanks for your comments guys. I think a letter is a great idea. I will get my fiance to write one too. I will need to tell my parents I am being assessed for AS first which will be difficult. My mum knows I have had mental health problems in the past, but she doesn't know about my AS suspicions. My Dad has no idea about any of my past or present issues and I can see many AS traits in him so it will be awkward explaining I think I have it. I will write them a letter, because that's how I communicate best. Fingers crossed!

Hi everyone, I finally have an appointment at the end of January to hopefully get a diagnosis of AS. I was told there will be 3 appointments, the first 2 with just me and the third with someone who has known me for at least a few years. I'm going to take my sister because she knows me the best but she is 5 years younger than me so doesn't know much about my childhood. I want to ask my parents some questions about my childhood to pass on to the person assessing me, but am not sure what to ask. Does anyone have ideas about good questions to ask? Thanks

Hi guys, thanks for all your comments, I thought I'd give you an update. I emailed PALs but didn't get a reply. I found out that even though I was told I wouldn't be I was moved to a different area's referral system. I went and saw my GP and could barely talk I was so upset. I told her I can't cope anymore and all she could say was that it would probably be best to change to a different GP where I live so they can chase the referral. She didn't want to give me pills for my anxiety because she said I need to treat the cause, which is my communication difficulties. By a stroke of luck I had a call later that day from the person I'm being referred to saying I have an appointment at the end of January. I don't know if anyone helped it along but I'm very pleased I have the appointment. At last I have a chance of getting a diagnosis! Thanks for all your advice

Hi everyone, I haven't posted for a while. I've been waiting patiently for a diagnosis, but am getting quite fed up and I don't know whether I should just accept what is going on or make more of a fuss (well ask someone else to make a fuss for me, because I'm not good at fussing). Here is a basic run down on what has happened so far: Approx. December 2009 – Went to GP asking for referral for diagnosis of AS. He said he would refer me to the mental health team. After about a month of not hearing anything I rang mental health team and was told they had not received the referral. Rang doctor to re-send. Approx. March 2010 – Appointment with two mental health workers. Told I would be referred to an AS specialist. If I needed support before then I should contact them. Could I send notes from the psychologist I had seen before I moved house. I sent the notes. Approx. June 2010 - I ring mental health team to say I’ve just moved to a new house again (in the same county but a different area) and they say that I can still stay with their service if I don’t change my GP. I ask for more support as I'm finding it hard to cope. Apparently they have not received the notes I sent. I send them again with a letter saying I’m really not coping and would like support like they offered. I hear nothing. Approx. September 2010 – I ring to find out when my referral appointment might be. They can’t find me on the system, they say they will call back but don’t. I ring again and am given the number of the person I’m being referred to and told to ring them. I also ask if I can see someone because I’m not coping, again no response about this. I ring the number and am told I am on their system but they have not received any referral forms. I ring the mental health team again and ask them to send the referral forms. After a month I ring again and the referral forms have still not been received. I ring the mental health team and they assure me they did send the forms and will send them again. Apparently I may not be accepted for referral anyway though as the assessment criteria has now changed. I ask again for support as I am not coping and am told to wait until I find out about my referral. Is it normal for letters and referrals to be lost and people to not get back to you when you ask for aditional support? I am at the stage now where I can't function properly in everyday life and am considering asking my doctor for anxiety medication to help me get through all this stress. I knew it would take a while to get a diagnosis, but it has gone a year since I first went to my GP and I still don't know what is happening Thanks for your time, Kerry.