for those diagnosed as adults, what has helped since?

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The confusion (about what is or what isn't) is perfectly normal. Having autism/ASD/Aspergers is not like losing a limb. Losing a limb does not require diagnosis, It is clear that the limb is no longer connected to the body. With matters of the mind, the diagnosis is a journey rather than a single transaction.

In our very transaction-oriented western cultures we tend to view diagnosis in the same way we view transactions down at the supermarket. In reality, diagnosis is merely a point in time where one person points another in the general direction of where they might discover themselves and discover themselves and (repetition intended) where we may rediscover ourselves. The process does not end.

Eastern philosophy is (in my own opinion) a lot closer to the true path than anything offered by western psychology. A diagnosis of Aspergers/Autism/ASD is likely to be smiled at (if that) by the wise men of the east. The concern of westerners with diagnosis is a problem in itself. I say this with kindness; I do not mean to belittle or understate the psychological state of those who have been diagnosed (myself included). Quite the contrary, those with ASD/autism/Aspergers are the most likely to reach higher levels of consciousness, but to start that journey they/we need to stop clinging to diagnosis. Diagnosis is interesting but it is not the end of a journey; at best it is a point along the way.

Notwithstanding what I've said, the anniversary of diagnosis is worth remembering and it serves a purpose as a point where we can reflect on our journey through life.

I went to my GP, he referred me, after a few months I found out it could take years (from a very dismissive NAS service) so I found a NHS provider in another area and funded it myself, it had the added advantage of being a specialist place with experience with assessing adults.

You should try again, I think GPs are obligated to refer you, and if they disagree try another GP

I like these practical things. I have a few

1. dark curtains to block out the light at night, used to have a sheet pegged up for years, now I can sleep better and its a nicer place in the day
2. started using electronic reminders, I am very absent minded, poorly organised, low energy and neve get things done. Simply making lists to cross off helps a lot, I don't know why it never occurred to me before

im not quite sure I understand, are you saying you wish the diagnosis of Aspergers hadn't disappeared in DSM V? if so I agree, I was diagnosed officially with ASD (though don't think they used DSM but they said the ICD is expected to follow so now they don't diagnose aspergers in readiness), just makes me slightly uncomfortable saying I have aspergers because officially I don't even though my report sort of says in the past it would have been aspergers.

But I wouldn't quite think of that as declaring it officially gone, it has just changed. On the whole I think the new criteria are a good thing, as they are more inclusive and will offer self understanding to more people

For me - I was diagnosed about 10 months ago in my forties - it is important not to lose sight of all the things you said/thought before your diagnosis: I remember thinking "for once I will know and be able to explain why I have done things in a certain way". Immediately after the diagnosis, I felt a release and for the next week or so, I did start to tie up certain things (particularly embarrassing things I'd done as a teenager, etc. being shy at parties, etc.) and it was good to be able to start to make sense of that. But is amazing how quickly that all is forgotten, and it just becomes "business as usual". I'd say it is useful now and again to revisit those basic doubts you had pre-diagnosis and the fact that you now understand them, and that will remind you and give you strength to move forward. Sorry - this probably sounds like "psychobabble" but thought I'd add something to the discussion.

no, that makes sense. I used to dwell on things, and cringe about my younger self all the time, now I can just drug that off.

Ever since I started learning how to dance, it's made a BIG difference in my life.

Letting go of negative emotions like guilt, shame, self-hatred. Chucked away that bucket of stones!

I am going to try not to make this and argument about the decision to take Aspergers out but how or why my experience with the decision differs from those diagnosed earlier. After all the years of not knowing who I was finding out that not only who I was had a label but it described how I was pervasively different. Then I found out there was a whole community looking at the positive aspects of what had been a negative and making it an identity. And I attached these very positive practically euphoric feelings to the words Aspergers and Aspie. As soon I found about it, it was over. At the time I was reading about a lot of people vowing to keep the idea alive until the decision was reverted. But now the vast majority of the community seems to be happy with the change, Aspie is at best a descriptor and for many on the spectrum it has negative connotations (ableist against low functioning autistics, excuse for introverted nerds to to behave badly etc, ASS-BURGERS, over-diagnosis) . All of this was very disconcerting to me and I was baffled as to why the community changed it's mind. I then read several posts and blogs with a common theme that partially answered that question for me, they said the whole Aspergers concept WAS a great idea in introducing the concept of Autism being a spectrum but now that the Aspergers diagnosis had broadened the concept of autism and the negative connotations developing they were glad and ready to move on. Intellectually I can understand why if you were diagnosed in the 2000's you would feel ready to move on but me being diagnosed in 2013 I feel like I'm back in 5th grade and the bullies found my favorite book and have ripped it to shreds.

I can understand why the constantly shifting definitions and understandings can be disconcerting. More to the point, how it makes you feel that your favourite book has been ripped to shreds. That is a very clearly ASD/Aspergers/autism response to the matter and I certainly think you have every right to be frustrated or infuriated or whatever the emotional response is in your case.

The reality is that understanding does shift and I guess its whether the shifts are progressive or regressive. I don't know myself and am really just watch the whole diagnosis saga like I watch the news or the weather forecast on the television. My sense of security around the matter of diagnosis is founded in the fact that however the experts define things, there is clearly a phenomenon to define. No amount of reclassification of diagnosis categories will ever change the reality that autism exists, including high functioning autism. Its not about whether I have HFA/ASD/Aspergers/autism etc, its about what sort of measurement instrument that they want to apply to me. I find that to be merely interesting; it doesn't change who I am.

Same here.
I have had less charming labels, and secretly thought, that I had a brain damage.
Since I have become aware, that I am not that social wizz, I believed myself to be, I have been able to correct habits , that have pissed people off, while I never understood why.
I can forgive myself and accept my literacy and concrete thinking without feeling inferior.
In short, I can be my self more than ever, and I am a lot happier and care less and less about acting atypical.
The aspie support group has been invaluable, and I would like to support others.

It would have helped me more if the friends/family I've told would be more aware and understanding of the condition, and if our government had a program to fund/help adults with ASDs. Right now, everything seems to be centred on just helping children. It pisses me off.

I don't think they will ever stop hurting people. Society is creul. I always wanted to help people too, but after the way it has treated me I would rather just stay as far away from it as possible.

I am no longer sure they deserve help, I say let them rot in the mess they are creating for themselves...and it is one hell of a mess out there.

I care less what other's think.

I'm not sure that's a totally good thing, but there you have it.
As a few others have stated on other threads, if one is treated badly for being oneself and not trying to conform; yet treated just as badly working at 110% and then running on empty an an attempt to follow societies' (read NT's) idea of acceptable and successful, why waste the energy?

I feel the same. Ive had little support from a lot of "friends" and family members.With women in the workforce they refer to "the glass ceiling". For autistics, never mind autistic women, it is a lot lower. It's like they say they want people who are intelligent, hardworking, honest and dilligent: they scoop that up with glee, run around playing politics and BS; and promote the gossiping brownnose who sits on their but. In a lot of instances it would cost nothing to make the interview processes and work environments aspie friendly - but employers refuse to do it, because it doesn't affect them.

Yes. Books I've read, things I've learned, and treatment methods that have been successful. See the link in my signature for the details of what I've done to reduce my symptoms by more than 95%.