lack of services in notts for autistic adults :(

Post Reply New Topic

I haven't had a good day, well really my whole week has been utter crap.
I was dxed aspergers when I was 4yrs of age (around 1991) and I eventually found out when I was 7yrs old that I had it although my parents attempted to keep it a secret from me (my parents came from an era where having disabled kids was seen as shameful, especially if the childs disability was cognitive or intelligence related).

I have had a lot of serious issues with my close family, especially my mother and older sister, and I also suffer clinical depression. Today I have looked for counsellors but I have been hopelessly unsuccessful and I'm feeling pretty upset.

My gp is useless even though I've been going to him since I was a child - rather than refer to a specialist or a psychiatrist he usually just gives me more meds or will 're-refer me to something that I have tried before and hasn't helped.

I rang NORSACA and they couldn't help either. They are actually without a counsellor and so have no counselling service left at the moment. The lady on the phone was nice and understood my frustration but all she could offer was a place on a 6 month waiting list whilst they attempt to find a new counsellor. As you can guess, I turned it down.

I'm feeling really down about my life in general, and nothing seems to be getting easier. I can't go private as I can't even afford the lowest fees on offer. and little things are bothering me a lot too.

Just the other day, I saw one of my favourite urban artists putting out that she would like her female supporters to audition for a part in her video. The only stipulation?? The women had to be 19+ and have a valid form of I.D, which I suspect would be either a prov. driving license or a passport, neither of which I have nor can I afford to pay for them...I have been turned away from every shop even though I'm 27, just because I look younger than I am and can't afford to spend 50 to 100 upwards just to prove my bloody age!

I don't think the rest of the country is any better. I am 31, based in South Yorkshire and even with my mother fighting my corner i am getting know where. I was sent to an occupational therapist, explaining to them my problems with using public transport alone, avoiding town on certain days because i avoid certain people, explained my problems with using the phone due to anxiety. I missed one appointment due to my problems and now i am not getting seen by them at all. They ignore all our efforts when we try and get in touch. I hate my current GP, i tried to change but was told i needed ID i join a new doctors surgery. I spent £50 plus on ID, went back only to be told they could not accept it. I popper kicked off, effin and jeffin at the receptionist, i am not welcome there at all now. At the moment i am not getting any help, just government handouts but i need help. I am planning on writing to my MP for the umpteenth time but i don;t know what good it would do. Mine has helped in the past but he is not a miracle worker, why don't you try doing the same. It is not right people are just left to rot. A quick edit here, ever though of contacting your local arm of The National Autistic Society. My mother has been attending the one in Rotherham for a number of years with regards to my younger sister. I am attending my first meet with them in April, even if you get nothing from it, it may be worth a try,

Hey guys.

Guzzle, from what I know they need photographic I.D... a birth certificate probably wouldn't cut it all fairness, which is a pain in the arse but its understandable they have to be careful.

DukeJantheGrey I'm so sorry your going through all this. In all honesty I don't think a lot of GP's are used to dealing with patients that have aspergers (even the ones that know about it, as I mentioned). I would advise you to check out Google for local NHS Aspergers teams, Nottingham has one and I'm going to get refered to that hopefully. I'm not sure Yorkshire has one but I believe Sheffield might? Hope it helps.