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tomcat

Post dx, where do I go from here?

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I'm looking for some advice from any out there who can help me. I was diagnosed as being HFA in January shortly after my 32nd birthday, after being given the official diagnosis was handed a photocopy of an NAS leaflet and sent on my way with no further advice from the psychologist or my GP. There are no services in my area for Autistic adults with the exception of an NAS social group that I've been unable to find any information on other than an email address which I've received no response from as yet. The closest place for any interaction, socialisation or advice is Glasgow, around 30 miles and a ton of stress and anxiety away. This just a few short miles away from NAS Scotland's flagship/Crown Jewel, Daldorch House. "Daldorch provides a fusion of care and education across 24 hours for children and young people from 5 to 18 years. In addition, continuing educational opportunities and supported living arrangements are available for young people from 16 to 21 years. In addition the school offers an outreach service for individuals from 5 to 25 years." Effectively over the age of 25, you don't exist. On being diagnosed I was happy, finally we had a name for my differences, we could get things done, move forward with our lives and get the help and advice we needed........ only to hit brick wall after brick wall. Sorry, as I type this I'm starting to realise the resentment and anger that I've been hiding from everyone, myself included.

 

I want, no I NEED support and advice, I NEED a way to get through life without the stress and anxiety that I've been bottling up inside and hiding. Yes I'm autistic, hiding behind a mask of "normality". That's my coping mechanism, that's how I've survived over 30 years of knowing I was different but not knowing how or why really. Being thought of as "maybe a little strange" or "funny" or "different" fighting to hold in the pain, the anger, the tears and the urge just to curl up into a ball and hide from the world. Getting so used to it that it's become second nature, that it's hidden even from me until times like this. I'm not depressed, I'm lost behind a mask or a shell, screaming, crying and fighting to get out but noone can see or hear me, noone can tell that I'm just going through the motions, trying to find a way back to life. How can I say it, who and how can I tell, when I don't even know myself. How can anyone hear me when they don't even know to listen? Help, please?

 

tomcat

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http://www.autism.org.uk/directory/search-results/pg=1.aspx

if you type in "adult social groups" and (your postcode) into the

search box it should help you find a closer social group.

 

http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/autism-library/magazines-articles-and-reports/reading-lists.aspx

For books about autism on various subjects.

 

"how to be yourself in a world that's different" is one excellent book for newly diagnosed folk.

Books by Luke or Jacqui Jackson are also good fun.

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Thank you, I think typing this post out earlier was good for me, I basically broke through the shell for a little while and my better half read what I typed, called the NAS Helpline and the very helpful lady on the other end did a search. This truly does seem to be a forgotten area, or they believe that it's easy enough for the people from here to reach Glasgow that everything is centred there, we're getting information sent out though and got information for the Abercromby Centre ARC and she called there too, so now it seems I'm going to be inundated with information. I've been reading through posts on here and other places and been finding things I can do and help that I'm actually entitled to but never knew. I DO know that the Disability Employment Advisor at the local JobCentre is as useful as a chocolate fireman "It's hard enough for a "normal" person to get a job, never mind someone with "Learning Difficulties", you're better off staying on benefits". I was struck dumb at that point and we just walked out, my WAIS-III Full Scale Score is SS 164, IQ 139, I have social and organisational problems, not learning problems and here I go again with the pent up frustrations, sorry. Once again, thank you. Just knowing that there are other people out there I can talk to helps a lot.

 

tomcat

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Books by Luke or Jacqui Jackson are also good fun.

How relevant is a "user guide to adolescence" to anyone diagnosed in their 20s? Or has Luke written a user guide to adulthood now?

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