smileyK

It sounds like you doubt and question yourself more than anyone else does - your abilities and what can achieve out of your life whatever that may be or lead you! I think have to remind yourself of what going right and like everyone who know you hold on in there! You sound strong enough to make it - succeed!

The question need to ask yourself is do you enjoy it enough to put yourself through this stress and anxiety? Do you feel it worth it or not? If answer YES then you know deep down whether it it 'feels' right and meant to be in your future career?! Just have long hard think even ask outside friends family?! Sounds like get positive outcome feedback! So must be getting lot right! And decision/choice is yours -yours alone! But we have our opinions! Wish all the best whatever you decide is 'right' direction for you!!! XKLX

What the reasoning behind his obsession with smoking must be trigger of some kind? - peer pressure ,calms anxiety/stress down??? Have you asked him at all? Why he started?

Way you should see it is what positive experiences you get out of teaching! Sense of purpose you have feeling needed wanted as part of team! I know does for me! The good feeling is untouchable amazing "high" 'buzz' that makes realise why put yourself through all stress/anxieties makes it worth while pay off! Have keep reminding yourself of this! A child did similiar statement to me at work makes feel great! don't let a 'stupid' statement that shouldn't teach because of AS being present prove the 'doubters' wrong show them anything is possible even achieving in your 'dream job' I have 'stuck two fingers up' to the 'doubters' I had college tutor who told me I'd never be nothing no one my only job would amount to 'house keeper' now a lunchtime assistant part of a team! Now remind the tutor of this! Which is also great to prove a point don't let anyone set you back or talk you down -keep pushing forward btw don't feel guilty as putting more time effort in that's how more is coming out!

I often feel like job I do at present is often pressured /stressful due to swapping of environments down under 2's one minute to next lunchtime being need up other end of over 3's it can be stressful due to several instructions or situations happening altogether as does sensory issues overload and overwhelming but love the job so much I try to over ride the rest but isn't easy! Try stay focused,determined and stay loyal I know I am lucky grateful to work place for being mostly supportive understanding! if you want the dream that much/bad you'll continue to 'chase' it whatever it takes! I walked out of setting before and one biggest regrets I have when look back! (Not good thing to do at all!) XKLX

You cab only advise as such really to be honest have you tried pointing him direction of health issues that arise from smoking - how bad it is for you!? Maybe pictures may help of health implications where smoking where lead to next?! My nan died of smoking related illnesses which scared me woke me up shook me up! Been put off of ever trying a cigarette passed my lips! Its awful my mum now has same illness as what my nan lost her life over at relatively young age modern of 70 years old! Miss her so much! I don't think warnings on cigarette packening help in anyway in my point of view waste of time! I think more input/money should be focused on patients with smoking related health issues to consent to appearing telling their experiences on advert how cigarette ruins destroys effects lives in reality! Why did this obsession begin? When did it start?

Adult MHT told me I should be entitled to ESA as well as DLA ( my mums my appointee) they said refer me to the correct team to look into this further as only do five hours a week ! On annual contract as lunchtime supervisor do an hour a lunchtime are they correct- would I we entitled to it at all do you know?!

My mum maternal bond was severely lacking and damaged due to PND destroyed so much when we were babies children is whole family illness so hard to live with behind closed doors! Has impacted I believe on 'us' today with added complication and confusion of ASC which left festering in background unknown and undiscovered for years built on frustrations simmering wasn't good situation be in!!!

Clicked on the link it doesn't seem to come to the article as would like to discuss ,debate on interesting subject topic!

I have dyspraxia too I was officially diagnosed in childhood ( at junior's school) I was officially assessed /diagnosed with AS by "accident" really due to on going mental health issues that surrounded me (still do) -with anxiety depression related issues I would suggest as you have dyspraxia and issues overlap are close same I would still look into get investigated further as give you reassurance peace of mind may discover hidden issues/difficulties which can 'work on'!XKLX

Taking 'things' literally ( to heart) causes constant arguements/friction in the household with parents especially my mum anything I do to try and decrease these situations from occuring? I think parents sometimes forget It AS based tend to annoy them both! Which upsets me! Does anyone have this situation?

Beginning to think question will I ever find out 'the real me' who's hidden! Even though working hard to find what I'm looking for! XKLX

It so innocent yet sweet wouldn't do without work proven now it keeps me going without it I fall eveb further and deeper so glad it 'forces' 'pushes' me on bad day stick with it carry on like yesterday isn't easy swallow hard get on with it! XKLX

Its so worthwhile against trying to weigh up battle against depression

I now know why I do the job I do a child said lovely comment to me which raised my mood loads it gives me instant amazing boost now know why I do what I do! Leaves feeling on top of world like going sense of 'purpose' nothing can beat this!

Has family therapy with AS trained specialist to mediate to try 'find and search' for "common middle ground" may help them both realise that both have different yet shared frustrations and struggles/difficulties that face in 'different' areas in their lives! That must be SO stressful not easy to deal with live with! XKLX

@ Bains - I have on/off in the personal situation your son is in - been closed to being sectioned due to erratic ,wreckless behaviour ( physically aggressive /violent) towards parents and myself harmful dangerous acts I was officially diagnosed at 14 years old! And I lost both my nans within 7 months between each other! It 'winded' me "hit" me so hard trying to work through it step by step! Maybe make a memory book with him (photos etc) so can look back and smile! I did benefit from grief counselling to work through thoughts ,feelings and emotions to talk it through with "someone" has he showed signs of depression harming you or himself?! Grief is 'powerful' 'strong' emotions which can pull you down rapidly so maybe can get him to connect/link to pyschologist to talk through "feelings" he may be feeling it "normal" common XKLX

From what you've explained and described in your post sounds like high possibility of an ASD present as there 'common main factors' you have mentioned like high sensory issues (loud noises,smells) ,low attention span and invading people's space (like in people faces) the subject topic obsessions (eg dinosaurs) knowing everything about them! Anger can be 'common emotion' due to lack of understanding within situations and yourself (self regulation) of calming down the anger or any other emotions anger can be due to panic,anxiety , stress - frustration which presents itself as 'anger' on outside due not being able to freely 'express' himself more so! So I would bring these 'issues' to someone's attention the earlier the investigation the 'brighter' and better the support intervention network be put in place! Good luck! XKLX

I think close yet fine balancing lines between everything as chained together messy clumped not neatly like "norms" out there the files are untidy and unorganised which seems complicate and make identity crisis issues more awakard to face head on or know where to start! As like "everything else" there long list growing all time from "no-where" seems be never ending! Always seem to busy mentally and emotionally active lot time overly so!

@ water girl - can see where coming from and what trying to explain pattern of hobby and enjoyment can quickly rapidly fast to other things like 'being hooked' on that hobby where takes over control also becomes fills 'normal' natural "high" experience with hobby instead is this bad,dangerous unstable as feel closely connected /linked to my "high" mood pattern? Could this be why? The reason? Because the 'normal' high needs "topping up" the levels or doubling as isn't enough anymore so leaves me unbalanced in all senses of the word?! XKlX

The changes of environment must make feel unsure ,uncomfortable and shaky having the support network around you to provide you with encouragement and reassurance will help gain some control and perspective as well as true insight into learning how to deal and cope step by step but gently with sudden rapid change! And may reduce your anxieties and worries about how going to regain sense of composure over the situation once again! Good luck! Don't be so harsh on yourself you had a lot of sudden rapid environmental change just "thrown" at you and it ASD natural knee jerk chain reaction is "freak out" for a while it will settle calm down give yourself time to re-balance!

@ lynda lou - how does article not apply to me confused of what meaning is of this outcome theory now then?! Must have misread in between the lines! (Which isn't hard task for me to do!) XKLX

I was going to say you sound depressed then read end of your post so you agree with me! you on any medication at all?! Sounds like when anxiety/panic attacks hits you bad sudden and rapid you tend to hide (withdraw and isolate) further to cope within yourself but this maybe adds to "the inner pressure" of frustration over the situation don't look back at december try focus on here and now looking back at past events/situations never work! Will only make feel worse ,awful about yourself and situation may sit down and think about write yourself a list of what you want out of life next few weeks even days! Don't think too far in advance! As think tends to fail too! Ask your husband or therapist if you need assistance/support in writing this list of targets tick off when done! May make you feel "brighter" better about yourself! Good luck with your appointment with your boss at work! Sounds like you have supportive /understanding boss!! Have I got that right?? P.s know how depression catches you out - traps you quite literally 'out the blue' leaves you shocked ,surprised even though happening to you!! Why not find hobby or activities enjoy seek some enjoyment/pleasure out of? Explore further! Just few ideas to maybe help you along this 'dark moment' XKLX

* I totally agree it shaky battle ground and board game to get into as it boils down to is'outside people' who think they "know us" - our world we may reduce actual ASD level to outside world but our struggle within is another issue/matter! We 'hide' how it gets 'us' well as we've learn't to 'get on' not complain with difficulties just adapt and grown further within society's community! But don't mean we've been suddenly and rapidly cured overnight makes me feel angry and defensive towards my personal experiences I've come across and faced in my life looks like meaningless and pointless is how 'outside' see it as!

I think it "too easy" to look at every ASD click fingers and for it to disappear - cure but I believe too many various forms of ASD for there to be "magic cure" to exist and come to life! I feel shocked and surprised that research and article come to the cure conclusion that be a pure dream for services of waiting lists assessments endless like CAMHS! But like many conditions is their such existence as 'true cure' if there was who would take it up! I think research and articles written like to grab at 'anything available and accessible' that people out there may grow attached to and may start actually want to hope then believe! I also believe it convient for these articles to be published ( I think close to andrew wakefield's report) which so weird ,wacky and totally wrong (out there) these researchers have no founded reality of 'our lives' what it truly involves and what stress anxiety it causes and articles such as this does not really help anyone or anything make it better just a debate once again and for what reason! We've had no choice but to try overcome challenges that ASD brings to our lives constantly (even when we didn't know it existed as a term - a condition in it's own term/right!) XKLX