Undiagnosed newbie

[roseblood]

Hi. I was diagnosed with AD/HD last year and the specialist suspected I had AS in addition after speaking to me but apparently decided not to refer me to the ASD specialist, I think probably because of some of the answers I gave to his questioning and in the screening forms that he'd have later looked at. I now think that some of my answers were probably inaccurate (I'm quite poor at self-monitoring and have had some very honest personal feedback this year, and denial and coming up with alternative explanations for my experiences probably contributed) and that an ASD diagnosis might be appropriate.

 

I'm employed part time and receiving free IT training once a week from a mental health charity. I know I have the potential to achieve far more than this. I'd love to write a book in the future, part autobiography, part philosophical musings. I always wanted to write fantasy or science fiction as well but I can only ever come up with a good main plot or background plot, filling in the mechanism of the story has always been very difficult for me, as has stick-to-it-iveness. As for actually making money though, I think IT will be a field I'll be looking into if the training continues to go well. I'd also like to make use of my foreign language interest but I'm not sure exactly how yet.

 

Thanks for reading.

Edited August 26, 2010 by roseblood

[Kathryn]

Hi Roseblood,

 

Hope you find a way of using your abilities in a way that makes you happy.

 

Welcome to the forum,

 

K x

[JsMum]

As your tallent lies in writing what about writing to your specialist and explaining to him the answers you gave and that now after some time and thought you have come to except that there may be possible other diagnosis you could possibly have, it takes time to process difficult issues, now that you have come to understand more it maybe the time to meet the issues head on.

 

I am sure your specialist will understand your turn around and the reasons why you thought the way you did, many adults go throw the rollercoaster which includes denial, even parents of children who have a definate diagnosis deny there is possibly something different about thier child, its a natural responce.

 

I think you do need to go back and see the specailist at least, National Autistic Society have a helpline and further information on AS and maybe look into attending a Adult AS Group where you could meet up with others to get a view on other AS people diagnosis journey.

 

The rollercoaster continues too even after a concreate Diagnosis, it takes time to come to terms with the possiblity you may have AS.

 

 

Wellcome to the forum.

 

JsMumx

[roseblood]

Thank you both. I should have been more clear, I am actively seeking a diagnosis right now. I have to write a letter requesting a referral to the ASD department. As I'm already a patient at the Maudsley I'm hoping it wouldn't take quite as long as the AD/HD diagnosis did, but they'd still have to get the funding approved etc. I'm in contact with someone from a local autism charity who is giving me advice, and I should be joining a social skills group run by him in the meantime.

 

I know what you mean Jsmum, If I'm diagnosed (I really hope so, because I'm hindered by SOMETHING on top of the AD/HD, and I'm kind of weird, I know that much) it will probably take time to adjust to having that explanation there as a firm conclusion. It did with AD/HD. Even though I wanted to be diagnosed so I could get treated etc., when I was, it was hard to say the word in relation to myself because of the stigma. I've become aware of the stigma attached to ASDs since trying that label on for size as well. But I did adjust last time and I'm sure I would this time quickly too.

Edited August 27, 2010 by roseblood