Sophia Catherine

That's encouraging, BruceCM - glad to know it's not just me that's getting a late diagnosis. And, interesting to meet another person with EDS, trekster - good to meet you.

Thanks for the kind welcomes!

I was a teacher in a sixth form college for three years, then a study skills tutor for two years, and now I do a bit of lecturing while I'm back studying again. There were a lot of things that I found difficult about teaching, especially organizationally, but I taught myself a whole lot of coping strategies for those. I love being in the classroom. I did find the work stressful, but that was about the long hours that I didn't have the emotional energy for, rather than relating to students. I really enjoyed that, especially one-to-one work like supervising their coursework. I hope you get a good result from the tribunal. Sounds like discrimination under the Equality Act, to me.

Hello. I'm Sophia. Well, that's my internet name - 'IRL' I go by Naomi - call me either! I am currently going through the whole process of diagnosis, even though I'm 34. I was diagnosed as dyspraxic many years ago, suspected other things too, but couldn't persuade GPs to refer me for testing. I finally realised I couldn't cope anymore, and insisted, even though my GP thought it was unlikely. The psychiatrist I've seen thinks it's very likely that I have Aspegers (gave me questionnaires and a two-hour appointment to explain things, and so on), but I have to go back for one more appointment for a few more tests and things. That will be at the end of this month. I'm very relieved to be closer to understanding what goes on in my head and in my life. I've had lots of diagnoses in my life, from bipolar to OCD, but I think they were all probably wrong. I've been reading about Asperger's and I'm so relieved to find information about what's going on. I'm also physically disabled - I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which affects my walking (sometimes use a wheelchair, sometimes crutches). The combination of everything means that I'm really, really tired and stressed, a lot of the time. I'm hoping to be able to learn more about Asperger's and work out ways of coping better with life. I'm doing a PhD in sociology, religion and disability studies. I also do a little bit of part-time lecturing and some social media work. I'm a Pagan and find religion absoutely fascinating, so reading about that is my main interest, but I also like cult TV and sci-fi, getting out in nature where it's quiet, painting and singing, and my three cats. And internet forums. Love those. So this place is nice! Good to meet you all