Mihaela

I agree with you completely, Exodus and Laddo. You're certainly not wrong! It doesn't take much reasoning on ethical matters to come to this conclusion. Any society, any culture, inevitably embodies the collective psychology of its members - a sort of 'averaged' mass personality. So it's pretty obvious that our current English society is highly dysfunctional, and the same can be said for all 'advanced' societies. Anthropological studies have shown that far more compassionate and far less judgmental societies/cultures do exist or have once existed. The problem with capitalist societies is that they tend to attract ruthlessly ambitious people - both politicians and business leaders. (Capitalist ideology has no ethical basis: it views greed, power and ruthlessness as virtues, and has distorted interpretations of 'progress' and 'success'). These types of people make atrocious role models, as do most 'celebrities' - they work against the natural order of life - which is all about nurturing and caring, being in harmony with our environment, living peacefully, etc. Morally we know this is right, but in practice the pressures of society are so strong that few of us escape their stranglehold. We submit to our weaknesses, blindly following the herd, and confine our caring sides to our families and close circle of friends.

I'd go as far as to say usually. I've been an admin and moderator of several forums so I've had quite a bit of experience over this. Trolls very often have narcissistic or other personality disorders. Internet forums, articles that invite comments, social media, etc. all provide convenient anonymous opportunities for these types to find easy pickings - to feed their insatiable narcissistic supply. More & more research is being carried on the psychology of trolling/flaming.

Welcome Exodus! I have quite a few traits in common with you. It's possible that you have the female-type of AS. (I know around 10% of women have the male type, and it could well be that that applies the other way round too). Trekster - I also had C-PTSD for around two years (incapacitating severe tics, panic attacks, shaking, regression, saying strange things, etc.) due to gratuitous persecution by a sadistic fool. Eventually things got better; I hope they do for you.

"Absinthe is the devil's urine" Are you sure? I always thought it was the Green Fairy's urine.

Dashpot (used on old typewriters to dampen an almighty thud on carriage return!) teehee!

I've not even heard of family therapy, but I'd definitely go for it if it was available. I'm sure it would do no harm trying.

Canopus said: The United States is responsible for English becoming the world's default language after 1945. In 1900 English was a language confined to the United States and the British Empire rather than a truly global language. Only a small fraction of the people living in the rest of the world learned English then, and in Europe, Latin and German were more popular as second languages. If the United States had decided on German rather than English as its national language then history would have been much the same during the 19th century but very different after 1914. I agree completely. What I really meant was that the spread of English was caused by British colonialism (even in Scotland, Ireland and Wales. In the eraly 20th century the speaking of Welsh by children was discouraged in Welsh schools). Of course, it was post-war American influence which extended this spread worldwide - due to Hollywood, the mass media, the plethora of US military bases worldwide and the rise of US multinationals. This is why most programming languages are based on English, or rather American English. The identity of England - both in general and in relation to other European countries - is a subject that I have debated many times in the past. Does standard British English / the Queen's English / the National Curriculum English create an artificial identity? Is American English really as bad as the media and teachers make it out to be despite it being closer to the English of England during the 17th and 18th centuries? Englans barely has an identity today. It began losing its way with the industrial revolution and the ensuing urbanisation of the rural peasant class, the class that lies ate very heart of any culture, that harbours and hold dear its folklore, traditions, music, art, costume, etc. Standard English only became universal in England due to films, radio and TV. In countries that retain living peasant cultures dialects continue to thrive regardless of the mass media. They're used in parallel with the standard language. This is why Occitan is still widely spoken in southern France, and why the Oltenian dialect is still widely spoken in southern Romania, etc. American English has its good and bad points, for it's only partly closer to to the Englsih of 17-18c England. All the modern accretions, slang, etc. are purely American and I feel they should should remain there! Take into account that many countries use Spanish and Arabic but do they each lack local identities? They do to a larger extent than countries with their own national languages. Their culture, traditions, etc are predominatly Spanish or Islamic respectively. This is very true but it still doesn't answer the question of which languages to learn. It doesn't really matter, but it surely helps to learn a language belonging to a culture with which you identify. Maybe a country you've visited on holiday or lived in. John Enoch Powell knew 12 languages including Latin, Greek, Welsh, Hindi, and Urdu, and even held discussions with his constituents in some of them. I can't help wondering whether he understood people and cultures in a much different way from your average English monoglot 'far right nutjob' resulting in him being a very misunderstood person. At the risk of being politically incorrect (not unusual for me!) I've always admired Enoch Powell's intellect. He stands out almost alone amongst modern politicians. I'm certain his knowledge of languages helped him understand other cultures more than most. He was almost certainly an Aspie too: "There could have been something else, too (and others have realised that, as a trawling of the internet will show). In Powell one can recognise some, at least, of the symptoms of Asperger Syndrome, a medical condition not fully diagnosed until 1994. There need be nothing offensive about such a suggestion. Many sufferers are, like Powell, highly intelligent. They are child prodigies of enormous talent and ability who can sometimes find it difficult to emotionally relate to others. They are single-minded to the point of being obsessive. They may dislike change and identify very closely with the ethnic and national community into which they were born. They may experience frustration and failure later on, through their own personalities or the failure of others to understand them" http://www.guyblythman.com/page28.htm Very little teaching and learning of north European languages takes place in England despite historical connections between East Anglia and Holland, and Yorkshire and Tyneside and Scandinavia. To an extent I can appreciate that they are fairly minor languages on a global basis with most native speakers also fluent in English which acts as a disincentive to teaching them in schools. Our historical ties with France made French a politically more useful language to learn. Virtually all diplomacy used French. The Vatcan nuncios stuck to Italian, but now even they have started using English. I once laboriously translated a book from Dutch to English using a dictionary and a book on Dutch grammar. That's how obsessive I can be when I need to learn something! (I've done similar with other languages too, but not whole books). Aeolienne: It's surprising how quickly we can pick up languages when actually living in that country - even as adult.

For me it has always felt different to a crush. It's always been a lot more powerful a feeling, where I feel like you would do anything for my partner and her happiness becomes one of the most important things to me. Perhaps I don't know what a crush really is, for all my 'crushes' have been as you describe - even at five. Their intensity has never changed. I suppose I call them crushes because they're unrequited and 'secret'. Unfortunately being a romantic does not seem to be an appealing trait in men these days; my attempts to be romantic would always fall on deaf ears to both women I had real-life relationships with which really does sting. I bet it does. I should know, for I'm an incurable romantic - far too unworldly for these modern times. I'm pretty much NT half the time so I go into NT romance mode. I think aspie romance is quite different. I really don't know. Maybe my 'romance mode' is NT, but to experience that mode at five, and so easily, isn't. I feel like I've got too much love to give, like an almost physical need to give someone my affections. I don't even know how to tell when a woman fancies me in real life - if she keeps looking at me is that a good sign or a bad one? It's all so confusing. Same here, but we can never have too much love. (If I was devoutly religious I would have been a nun - like my cousin, but instead I'm secular but 'spiritual', i.e. I feed off inspiration, and that includes love. It's like an addiction; it takes over my very being). I have no physical need. In my mind I feel as if I do, but in real life I shy away from physical stuff. It scares and confuses me. But then for most of the time I don't live in 'real life'; I live inside my head. I'm equally confused about knowing if someone fancies me, and I've long given up trying to fathom it out.

So sorry to hear about your friend, Dotmars. It must be awful for you. I'd be interested in a Yorkshire or Northwest meet if someone else would organise it and if I could get there without too much stress.

A good idea, Sally. I've written so much, many times over, about my weaknesses (and strengths) that it tires me out. It's as if my mind has become yet another special interest! I suppose I'm just trying to understand myself better, but when I obsess about getting it perfect I have others in mind - not me. I'm known to be pedantic when I write - I'm naturally a good speller, fussy about punctuation and all the accents must be included and correct. If I see an article with an apostrophe out of place or the wrong accent over a letter it irritates me, while most people either don't notice or don't bother. I take so long perfecting things that I find I get very little done! I wondered if this could be connected with executive dysfunction too. I never thought of the difficulty in making choices, as I've always been like that. I suppose my parents made all the difficult choices for me. Sometimes I find myself facing a shelf in a supermarket in a kind of trance, just staring blankly, confused at all the choice. I don't even go to choose things for I always buy the same things and never leave with anything I hadn't intended to buy before entering, but I think the sheer 'overwhelmingness' of it all makes me just stand like that. When I realise I'm doing it I panic and move away quickly, and when it's really bad I almost run to the doors to escape. Choosing things like fruit and vegetables can be difficult too. A few examples - Fruit must have those stickers on for me to collect. I can only buy 7 mushrooms or sprouts at a time - no more, no less. If faced with a choice of potatoes all at the same price I must pick one of each. I pick unusual or deformed shaped carrots for I feel sorry for them and feel no-one would want them. Sharing coloured sweets is a nightmare for me. Everything has to be equal and balanced so that there are no odd ones left over, etc. If I spill lentils I have to pick up each one by hand. If I drop something (not often) and it breaks I scream, gather up all the pieces and spend ages gluing it together again even if it's unusable. It seems so basically flawed that the people that need help have to somehow identify that they need help and somehow navigate their way through the process of seeking help. If they could do that they probably wouldn't need the help in the first place!! Very true! I'll tell them what you said. Navigating my way is a bit like fumbling blindfold through a maze trusting to fate, for I don't really know what I'm doing or whether I'm doing it right. I only follow what others are paid to tell me to do, but it doesn't seem to lead anywhere.

None My attention span has deteriorated a lot since all the trouble began, but I do have a load of books waiting to be finished/read

It sounds like alot of people are involved, but no-one is making the connection. True, and I feel I'm getting sent round in circles. If you write down the things you have posted on this forum such as: Do you have water, heating, electricity - are you managing to pay bills? How are you cooking, shopping and budgeting - you said something you spend a similar amount on your food as you do for the cat. That is not much food for a human. Give examples of what you are eating every day. I've been doing this, trying to get it right which isn't easy. There's such a lot than could be said about it, I don't know how detailed it should be. I keep editing and rewriting all the time to get it perfect. That's one of my big difficulties, being able to make decisions. I'm cooking a little lately due to having to eat better, but it means spending more money on gas and food. I've no idea if I can afford to. As far as I know the money for bills comes straight out my bank apart from council tax, and the housing people are still working on that. I never open bills or bank statements - too stressful and confusing. My advocate or the housing people do that. I have no hot water at either house. This house is very cold and my fingertips are often white & numb, but I can't type with gloves on! I use a single bar electric fire. Drying washing is very difficult and takes days. The second bar burnt out ages ago, and then this one did too a few weeks ago, but I managed to repair it by twisting the ends of the wire together and it works fine! I've no idea where I'd buy another one, and I can't really afford it anyway for nearly all my money goes on council tax. Shopping is as haphazard as usual (due to panic attacks) but I manage. I've started to buy a few vegetables and fruit now. I can't cope with budgeting due to keeping track of all the figures. I get distracted by patterns in numbers, and I don't trust my calculations, etc. I don't have one cat, I have three - and now I spend maybe a couple of pounds more on my own food rather than on cat food. It is clear from your posts that in many ways you are very capable, and probably come across as that. And so professionals may think you don't need any help. So write it down. That's true, and the autism professional I've spoken to understand this completely. My capabilties are very noticeable to people, but they disguise the rest, and people assume I'm capable in ways that I'm not. Intellectually, my mind races ahead, but emotionally, socially and in everyday ways it's still like a 11-year old's. It's like expecting a 11yo to understand bills, tax, banking, owning houses, etc. Not fair at all. Dotmars: I'm shocked they are still using that "look at pictures of things" approach. I actually enjoyed looking at that book. It was just when he asked to explain the flying pigs on the last page that got me upset. The NHS still use leeches, especially in eye surgery. They breed them somewhere in Wales. I'm not aware of anyone having had to do that test recently? since it proves nothing about anything at all. I wouldn't know. I just go along with what they get me to do. Anyone can see any shape they want to in a cloud. Like the Rorschach test. I've always liked looking at clouds, but I don't often see faces in them. I have heard most towns have a volunteer service? manned by very nice people, who in their spare time, don't mind giving people lifts to and from medical/ physiatrist appointments. I'll try to find out about this. Thanks. no one should have to walk eight miles in the wind and rain to things like that, when there are people available who are happy to help. I'm used to it though. Done it all my life, although I don't enjoy it. ...and in case you feel nervous getting a lift from a stranger, I believe they are all crb/ criminal record checked. etc. she's told me sometimes she get's picked up in a proper hospital vehicle, so the service must be a valid official thing. I don't put much faith in criminal checks myself. Since they were introduced they've not reduced crime at all. That's why they don't have them in Europe and there seems to be be more trust between strangers. Just because someone's been cleared doesn't mean that they won't try anything on, or haven't done so in the past - they just haven't been caught. It gives us all a false sense of security. In the end I suppose it just comes down to using our common sense and intuition - and hoping for the best! After I was attacked, I decided to avoid going out in the dark, and I always try to get back home before dark. I imagine they are nervous about opening themselves up to legal exposure. I'm sure they are! But at the very least, I expect them to give simple and clear answers to my simple and clear questions, and if they choose not to do so, to explain why - simply and clearly. Such as "because we don't want to admit to our incompetence" also, I've noticed some large organisations are specifically structured in such a way- exactly so the people at the top who make all the bad mistakes, never have to confront the people they have affronted. it is designed to be that way. I can well believe it! This is exactly how certain NTs behave. I've very little respect for the NT world and its many dubious habits. I still wish you could have a trusted person from your life, to go along with you to your meetings/ appointments etc. if only to emotionally back up you and support you, if things turn out distressing. If only. My mum would have done this even at 93! So would my dad, he even gave me lifts to the woods and picked me up, so that could avoid walking with noisy traffic. They protected me against the confusing, cruel NT world all my life. I think I'm going to invent a new kind of council wheelie bin, which has a lockable flap on the top :-) Good idea! It could make you rich. more probably someone already has, but the council won't buy them cause they are too expensive. oh...

Just reading that nightmarish job description is enough to send me into meltdown! I only read the first three on the list and my executive dysfunction bells began to ring loudly, triggering my sensory hyperstimulation neurones, which in turn triggered my OCD synapses and put my meltdown ganglions on red alert. A strong health warning in BIG RED UNDERLINED BOLD ITALIC CAPITALS should have been posted at the top.

I find that when I try to explain how I am feeling and how things affect me, she often becomes quite defensive and turns it around to the way she feels which doesn't help me. I understand that some things I say may hurt, but it isn't intended that way I am just trying to be honest so she can understand me better. This is exactly the way it was with my own mum. Looking back I suspect that she had AS herself, and that her own mother did too. They too had similar arguments. I have three cousins from her side in same family of 13 (yes!) who probably have it (the twins almost certainly do). Another cousin from the same side took his own life when in his 20s - I'm pretty sure he had it too. He was always saying he was misunderstood, had no friends, and was the odd one out of five. I understand that some things I say may hurt, but it isn't intended that way I am just trying to be honest so she can understand me better. Same here totally! I only wish my parents had lived to know why I was like this. Fate can be so cruel. At least your parents know about your AS. currently my bedroom is a complete mess and it is making me miserable and easily irritated which doesn't help matters. As you don't have your own place, your bedroom is your only refuge and it must be awful when it's in mess like that. You can't do much about the mess in other parts of the house. Many of us prefer to live alone. I left my parents at 19 (looking back that was far too young) and lived very unhappily and homesick in a flat in London which I hated just as much as the social side of work, but somehow endured it for a year. I escaped back home, giving up my well-paid job - this was one of my 'running-away' meltdowns. I've never had a paid job since. I was given a small house by my parents, but even then I spent half my time living at home with them. This routine carried on ever since, and that's why I still share my time between two homes even after both parents are no longer here - something I can't fully accept. It makes life very complicated! I'm very content living 'alone' with my cats - so I don't feel alone at all, but I miss all the chats and laughs I had with my mum so much (but not the arguments) The main issues are more to do with feeling misunderstood when it comes to AS, which often causes arguments on both sides. I dislike the tension and fighting and want a bit more control over my life and the place I live. I could only have stayed at my parents' for two-week periods, otherwise the tension got too much - on both sides. And yes, it was all because I was being understood. It seems that even if parents know about the AS, being misunderstood still happens, which is a shame. I know moving isn't an easy process for someone with AS, but feel I need to do so, in order to stop me falling into a deeper depression. Moving is very stressful for me, and I'm sure it will be for you too, but your reason is exactly why I had to 'escape' from my parents. I strongly identify with every single thing you say. I only wish I could help you more.

Would you rather a country was run by people who only think of themselves and who channel their psychopathic traits into politics (which is the case at present)? I'm not necessarily saying that aspies would be ideal, far from it, but I think they'd do a better job than the untrustworthy types who tend to get into positions of power. Aspies would be far more likely to act with integrity, be honest, treat us equally and fairly - and not fiddle their expenses!

I guessed as much! You'll be swigging back la fée verte next https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fee+verte&biw=1024&bih=489&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=vRVnVJrsDo7gaL_xgKgD&ved=0CDcQsAQ

English has become the world's default language due to historical chance: British colonialism, later followed by American imperialistic cultural aspirations, and later still accelerated by the internet. A double-edged sword for England, for language is the central to cultural identity. Without its own language or dialect, the culture loses its identity and perishes. This is one reason why I feel England has lost its way, unlike Scotland, Wales or Ireland. Go to any European country and you'll find that their own distinctive languages help to maintain their own unique cultures and a sense of identity going back many centuries. England increasingly lacks this, and has to invent a pseudo-identity (mainly involving relatively modern royalty-related traditions and aimed mainly at the tourism market). East Germany still has a thriving Sorbian/Wendish/Lusatian community with it two languages (upper and lower Sorbian) centred on two small towns. Russia still has over 100 indigenous languages each with their own unique cultures. Moldova has its autonomous Gagauzian regions centred on Comrat and a couple of outlying villages. It's these little idiosyncrasies within large nation states which give them colour and life. Each region of Romania has its own distinctive dialect, costume, music, dance style, vernacular architecture, musical instruments. Dialects, costume, etc. even subtly change between neighbouring villages. The ubiquity of English along with the industrial revolution and intense US influence killed off all this variety in England - a great loss. The result of this is a lack of an incentive for the British to learn another language compared with people from countries where only a small number of people worldwide know their native language and very little in the way of material in their language exists apart from that which is localised. Even trying to learn a second language provides us with a whole new outlook on the world. There's no better way to understand different cultures. It helps us realise that there's more than one way of seeing the world. I often need to know how non-English speaking countries see a particular issue, and the only way to do this is to read on that subject in another language. These are all valid incentives. In order for them to study a subject higher than secondary (or even primary) school level; access foreign news; or learn about computers, machinery, wildlife, Asperger Syndrome etc. knowledge of another language becomes essential. True, but it's still a shame that the English show so little interest in other languages. It's their loss. It's often arrogantly assumed by that anything worth reading or watching must be in English and come from the USA. So wrong! This isn't the case for Britain where the most worthwhile foreign language is very debatable. A basic knowledge of Greek and Latin can still be useful, but maybe we should start with our closest neighbours, France and Wales. If we're thinking along economic lines (which I certainly don't) then perhaps Mandarin would be the most useful. When I study maps of Wales, Cornwall, etc. ...even England, I want to know what the place names mean. I have many books on languages, place-names, field names, personal names, a large tome on the Cassubian culture and a bigger one on Russian dialects (in Russian) containing the most detailed dialect maps I've ever seen. (Typical obsessive aspie!) Languages fascinate me for their own sake. Their origins, syntax, grammatical rules, vocabulary, etc. By studying them we train our brains to think in new and different ways, so learning any language is worthwhile.

I don't believe this is part of his condition, but is more likely a co-existing problem possibly exacerbated by his condition. It could be due to stress (which he clearly has suffered) or physical trauma to his head. Has he ever been hit on the head or had bruises around his head or face? There are other causes. I agree that he's much too young to have a psychosis. This link may be helpful (although it mainly applies to older children/teenagers): http://www.handsonscotland.co.uk/topics/unusual/voices.html Here's another: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/206489.stm You really do need to see a specialist about this.

It's good that he's had a peaceful day without meltdowns - and peaceful for you too. I think the transition to a new school should be made very gradually, beginning with no more than a couple of hours at a time, and if possible with you present. There must be a quiet place for him to 'escape' to whenever he feels he needs to. As for hearing things, if I was a doctor I'd ask these questions. What kind of noises are they, and how often? How long has it been going on for? Is it becoming more frequent? Any particular time of day? Does anything seem to be triggering this? How does he react when this happens? I'd get him to tell you every time it happens, keep a record, and visit the doctor if it continues or gets worse. No, as far as I know, hearing things is not part of an ASD. You say he hears them in his head and ears, so I assume he knows that they aren't coming from the environment around him. Is he on any kind of medication? This can be a side effect of certain stimulants used to treat depression and ASD's. It can also be a symptom of PTSD - but rarely.

Hello, Shaye. The only way I would consider sending him back is if they permanently excluded the child that is bullying my child. In my long experience with schools and bullying, this happens very rarely. I've found that schools only too often treat the bullied victim as the 'misfit' who must adapt. 'Misfits' (as they are often spoken of in staff rooms) are seen a threat to the smooth running of the school. It's a very different case if the bully bullies more than one child though. Anti-bullying policies look good on paper, but often that's about all. Some schools are very good at sticking to their policies but most don't seem to have the victim's interests at heart. As a mother I am suppose to be able to protect my child which I can't do if I send him back to the same school. Exactly! And the school, acting 'in loco parentis' should be doing the same, but the reality is usually very different. I feel relieved that I will no longer have to worry whether I will find bruising on my sons body when we get home from school. And I should think so too! It's just not on that the school has allowed this to continue. When I was at school I became so afraid of my parents seeing my bruises that they never ever saw me undressed or in a swimsuit or shorts since I was 11 or 12. I kept my bullying a dark secret for many years. I felt ashamed. How wrong I was, but sadly children often do feel shame when they feel 'inadequate' or 'different'. I've known very many like this. I hope you soon find a school better suited for him, and it's good that he'll still be seeing his friend.

Thanks Sally. I'm feeling a lot better today, staying at home to recuperate! Yes, I'm being assessed for a diagnosis of being on the autistic spectrum. I have to see a psychologist next. Has anyone come to see you yet about how you are managing day to day with money, food, bills etc? No. I phoned Choice Advocacy today about Adult Services, and I'm waiting to be rung back. I'll also be asking CAB about why they weren't interested and I'll ask her about that referral to Creative Support that went astray. You could also go to your GP and tell them the difficulties you are having after your parents died. Tell them you are being assessed for autism and that CAB had tried to get Adult Services involved, but they refused and ask the GP to refer you again. I saw my GP on Tuesday but she didn't mention the AS diagnosis. They do know about for my other GP there referred me. Also she knew I was having a bad time after that phone call to the council in August 2012. I told her I had no money (for I'd completely run out at that time) and she referred me to CAB, and they got me this advocate - who's probably visited me about 10 times by now. If you can, write down all the things you are struggling with and how you are managing things currently. I was going to do this anyway and send it to my psychiatrist. Give that to the GP and tell him you have been told [via an autism helpline forum] to ask for the GP to refer you to Adult Services again as you are a Vulnerable Adult that needs assessing and who needs help with all your daily living skills. Should I tell this to the psychologist when I see her?

Hello again! I understand it isn't an easy list to fill, but I was thinking more of renting privately, if possible. Though I am on benefits, I do have a part time job and have been saving so hopefully wouldn't need to rely hugely on the council. There are lots of unscrupulous landlords about, so please be careful and rent through a reputable estate agent. Being on benefits makes everything more difficult but having a part-time job should be a big help. Support wise, I need help with basic understanding of renting a property and understanding all the things that come with it (i.e managing money and all the legal jargon). Me too! It's a nightmare for me to be expected to understand, let alone handle, money matters and legal stuff, so I know just how you feel. Things have settled somewhat at home, but I am still finding things difficult. I am the youngest of my siblings and am the only one still living at home. My parents are supportive, but more often that not, they find it hard to understand me which causes arguments and extra stress, when I am already highly stressed. Have they read up on AS? It might be a good idea if they were to join a local parents' group. Talking to other parents could help them understand you better. It's only to be expected that you're the only one still living at home. (By the way, in Europe it's perfectly normal, even expected, for people in their 20s to still be living with their parents - especially if unmarried. Leaving home early is a very English thing.) I am also finding it hard due to my OCD side, the house is always in a mess and I am constantly cleaning while they just seem to mess it up. I know this doesn't seem like a valid reason for wanting to move but it really does get hard for me. I need order and I feel it is hugely lacking which again, adds to my stress levels. Oh, but it is a valid reason! I have a close friend with OCD like that, and it makes perfect sense. OCD is largely treatable. It's only a disorder when it causes undue stress in yourself or in others. It can be reduced to merely OC traits. I used to have OCD, and it started to rule my life, but now I just have OC traits and feel a lot better. If under too much stress, my OCD would return, so I try to avoid as much stress as I can. My siblings are all NT's and living in their own houses and I am extremely jealous and don't like the thought of living with my parents for the foreseeable future and know my parents would rather I didn't as well. This makes sense. Another aspie friend of mine lived with her parents until she was 30 (soon after she was diagnosed with AS), and she's been living alone for 5 years now. Her mother virtually kicked her out, for she had other more serious issues and was using her diagnosis as an excuse for appalling behaviour. She also has OCD. Thanks for the PM, and I hope you find somewhere soon.

Was it an ADOS test, Dale? I had mine today - not sure how it went, but he's arranging for me to see a psychologist next.

Caves (I used to believe spaghetti grew down from the roofs of caves, and was harvested by Italians in the autumn)

Hello everyone! Here's the atest update. It's been a very stressful two days. Yesterday my advocate came talking about money and solicitors etc. again. As usual very little sank in, and I'm just as confused as ever. He said there were certain things in the letter that would upset me - which didn't help - so I've not seen it and don't want to either. As I expected, they hadn't answered my simple questions. (The answers only needed to be single sentences or just yes or no). It would seem that instead they'd written 5 pages of mumbo-jumbo, a long-winded reply which meant very little. They 'unreservedly apologise' if I feel upset by the way they handled my mother's case. How can anyone apologise for another's feelings? They should be apologising for all the awful mistakes they made and promises they broke - which directly led to the trouble I'm still having with the council. They've not admitted to any mistakes at all, although long ago one of them said shortly before she left "I admit, I've been neglecting your case", but unfortunately I haven't got that admission in writing. I'm going to complain to the legal ombudsman about the way the solicitors have caused me so much stress and worry since 2012. Today I walked the eight miles for my ADOS test, an ordeal in itself for I hate walking through busy, noisy towns. I don't know how I did in the test, but I broke down crying twice. There were a couple of things that confused me and got my head spinning until my brain just went blank - one was about a picture of flying pigs, and the other was about trying to make up a story about some things he'd taken out a bag. Is this familiar to anyone? He wrote a lot down and asked a lot more questions than last time, about friends, school, loneliness etc. He's now arranging for me to see a psychologist, I think mainly in connection with my executive dysfunction. So that means more waiting for me. :/ I walked back through very high winds, and a wheelie bin blew over right in front of me, only just missing me and dumping rubbish all over the pavement. I was very relieved to get back to my cats just before it got dark