Greetings from Quebec, Canada

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After several weeks of lurking and debating if I should register, here I am now.

Hello, you guys can call me Holmcross or Holm for short, since I don't plan on disclosing my real name. I'm a 29 years old french-Canadian female that resides in the Province of Quebec. French is my mother language and English comes in second. I am also currently studying Japanese and know so little.

Like I have mentionned above, after some reflection, I have decided to join and gather up information on Asperger Syndrome.

My mother thinks that it is highly likely that I may have inherited the syndrome... but from whom, who knows? From her memory, when I was in between 2 and 3 years old, I did things that were a bit out of the ordinary, such as being able to learn how to open some type of door by observation. Also, she has told me that I was somehow capable to memorize certain logos, such as the Quebecois and Canadian flags, the big yellow M of Mc'Donalds and maybe more.

As an older kid, I would walk on the tip of my toes all the time (still do but less frequent), make my dolls "talk" and play with boy toys (ex: legos, TMNT action figures). Also, I had a powerful penchant for arts and when I received my first gaming console, which was the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), I developped a strong interest for games as well, making my drawings and art often game-related.

I was someone who was constantly bullied from beginning Elementary up to the end of High School because I was"different". How people perceived me different, I wasn't and still am not sure. I always thought I was someone "normal". I avoided Physical Ed. like the plague but I loved Art class. I wasn't much of a Math person, maybe because I was never getting the proper help... and to think Mathematics is a language, I am ashamed. I have no problems learning languages and in High School, I aced English (I was put in advanced English), as well as Spanish (although I lost all of it since I had no one to practice with).

Lately, as time passes by, I'm beginning to realize that I have "gained" more strange quirks, such as talking to myself, having emotional breakdowns, mutism, self-harm, rocking back and forth while holding a pillow or stuffed toy (I used to collect those, I still have a few left), strong focus when playing a game, drawing or programming(new interest, I'm mediocre but it's fun), mental and physical exhaustion, lack of motivation, self-loathe, can't finish a project, compulsive perfectionist, sudden anger/rage rush for no reason and only lasts for a few seconds until it dissipates. There may be more to the list but I won't list it all.

Now, I have a few questions and to those who can answer them, please do so.

1. Is being diagnosed with autism in general gives you restrictions of working and living abroad (ex: being denied work visa)?

2. Is medication strongly involved and does it usually have an unwanted secondary effect?

3. Does a diagnosis diminish your chances of finding a career job?

The next few questions is target to those that lives anywhere in Canada or in Quebec.

4. Is there a way to see a Psychiatrist ASAP instead of being placed in a 1 year waiting list?

5. What kind of help is offered to autistic Adults? If so, where can I find it and how can I obtain it?

Thank you and I apologize for the lenghty post.

A very warm welcome to you Holm

I'm probably not well placed to answer your questions, but I'm sure someone else will be

xenon13: Oh, you are from Montreal? Thank you for the answer, I sort of thought as much but wasn't sure. I need to go renew my Health Insurance card this week, so that I can make sure to go to the hospital I have been to for a surgery. Thank you for the help!

TenPenPiece: Thank you for the warm welcome and it's alright if you can't answer my questions. It's nice to communicate you.

Bump, so I can get some answers/opinions to my simple questions. :->

Does diagnosis diminish chances of getting job? So far it has made no difference to me though having one helps with services... really not having one just makes the problems there more difficult to explain.

I am unaware with anything to do with foreign work...
There are services in Montreal...

Hello Holmcross,

I am a recently-diagnosed female from Canada, so I'll attempt your questions.

1. Yes, a diagnosis does come with restrictions for immigration to certain countries. I think Australia and the US are two of the main ones that deny a person with ASD from moving there. However, you would probably still be able to obtain a working visa as long as you didn't intend to live there long-term (this is only my guess, however). The main reason behind the denial is that people with ASDs have a high rate of being (or becoming) unemployed and also needing services - so if you already have a job set up for you and you're only going to stay while working that job.. I think there would be little problem.

It was for this exact issue that I took the path I did. I really wanted a diagnosis but I did not want to restrict my or my family's future, so, to get around it, I went for a private diagnosis. In Canada, the private diagnosis is the exact same thing as the "public" goes-on-your-medical-record one, and done by the same doctors, except that you are in charge of when and to whom that information becomes public. In my case, I have been functioning all right (do not think I need governmental or medical services at this time), so I got the private diagnosis with which I am able, at a later time, to use for services when and if ever I need them. A nice feature of the private diagnosis is that you can still use it at a private institution, such as your university or job, without it needing to go on your public medical record. Given your age, you can choose to get a private one. (Unfortunately, school-aged children always need to get the public one - in order for it to count in public school.)

2. I do not think that medication is strongly involved. It is more involved in cases where co-morbid conditions exist (Depression, OCD, General Anxiety). You can't really "medicate away" autism, and, in most cases, why would you? The choice to go on medication is always up to the patient. Personally, I am going to stay the hell away from medication unless I'm REALLY not doing well. It would have to be an extreme case of something co-morbid that's really effecting my functioning to make me want to take medication - I'd choose intensive weekly behaviour classes over medication. I tend to come out with a range of side effects and adverse reactions to "normal" drugs that other people are fine on.. so I really do not want to mess with my brain in undefined ways with psychiatric medications.

3. Again, no. Especially if it is private - but even with a public one.. is your employer going to have access to your medical files? No. Also, In Canada, it is illegal to deny a job to a person based on a medical condition if they are otherwise capable of doing the work. You are fully allowed to tell them about the diagnosis after they hire you - if you think you need accommodation.

4. Yes. But you'll have to pay. I'm not fully sure, but if you decide to do the private one, you probably have to pay yourself regardless. If you (or your parents?) can afford it ($1500 - 2000-ish), I would recommend it. It gives you the ability to choose a reputable and experienced specialist, and you'll probably get in within a month. It's worth it. I went to a place that normally does children but they also do adults.

5. I am not quite sure yet, but I do know that, for most resources, you need a professional diagnosis. In about a week, when I go back to my psychologist to discuss the full report, I'll find out if they recommend anything. I think they mentioned they would give me a list of resources, including books, with my report.

Hello
I'm an Aspie from Toronto.