Andy R
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone, I have had to fight for it but I have finally been diagnosed as having Asperger's. I am a 51 year old male.
I do hope that it is OK to share my story with you?
Although I have been aware of my 'quirks' for all my life it recently came to a head at work. I have a very responsible and stressful job. If my working environment is 'right' for me I am a highly-efficient worker. I found what works best for me is to be alone, with the door closed and music playing in the background. The slightest interruption can upset my concentration zone and it might be hours or even days before I am in this zone once more.
However a recent change at work caused by the illogical decision of a Manager forced me to change work location to a place that I found very difficult.
They moved me 15 miles from home to a much busier office where I was unable to control my environment. The office is cramped and shared with 3 other colleagues. The door is open with much intrusive noise from the corridor and offices nearby. I am unable to get a signal either on my mobile phone or my radio so am unable to listen to music.
I was determined to make the most of a very bad situation but only lasted 48 hours before I had a meltdown and had to report sick. This happened at the beginning of December 2013.
Occupational Health at work got involved and a psych assessment showed that I had symptoms of Asperger's and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Unfortunately they used the fact that as Asperger's is a lifelong condition, and therefore pre-existing before I worked for them (I have been with them for 23 years) they would neither pay for diagnosis or treatment and suggested I go to my GP.
I am lucky to have a wonderful GP who did his best to persuade the local Mental Health Team to see and diagnose me. Unfortunately, due to budgetary restrictions, they triaged me and decided that as I am not a suicide risk they could not help me.
The Occy Health Dept have suggested various 'reasonable adjustments' to help me back to work. The HR Dept however refused to provide these without a diagnosis and long term prognosis. Without a diagnosis they also argue that I have no protection under the Equalities Act, and therefore no entitlement to such measures.
Occy Health also (Much to my surprise and incredulity) wrote to my GP suggesting that they should not extend my sick leave any further!
My GP contacted me and asked if I would like to consider being referred privately to a Consultant Psychiatrist. So last night I saw one. It cost me £300 but I now have the diagnosis confirmed that I am Asperger's.
It also became apparent that as I grew up with my wife (We have been together since our teens) that we have learnt to cope with and make allowances for my little quirks.
As a couple we are entering a sharp learning curve. It is comforting in a way that my behaviours can be explained, and indeed are typical AS behaviours. We have a lot of thinking to do though over where the compromises between my AS world and her Neaurotypical world should be.
The way forward is that I have a meeting with Occy Health on 18th March when they will decide if they want to invest in my mental health. To be honest I hope they retire me on medical grounds as I will receive a substantial pay-out that will secure me sufficiently that I never *have* to work full-time again.
I want to learn more about the *gift* side of Asperger's and make the most of what extra potential it offers. I am already a musician and have a relatively unexplored artistic talent
Thank you for allowing me to get this 'out there' it is a relief to find there are others like me.
Andy
I do hope that it is OK to share my story with you?
Although I have been aware of my 'quirks' for all my life it recently came to a head at work. I have a very responsible and stressful job. If my working environment is 'right' for me I am a highly-efficient worker. I found what works best for me is to be alone, with the door closed and music playing in the background. The slightest interruption can upset my concentration zone and it might be hours or even days before I am in this zone once more.
However a recent change at work caused by the illogical decision of a Manager forced me to change work location to a place that I found very difficult.
They moved me 15 miles from home to a much busier office where I was unable to control my environment. The office is cramped and shared with 3 other colleagues. The door is open with much intrusive noise from the corridor and offices nearby. I am unable to get a signal either on my mobile phone or my radio so am unable to listen to music.
I was determined to make the most of a very bad situation but only lasted 48 hours before I had a meltdown and had to report sick. This happened at the beginning of December 2013.
Occupational Health at work got involved and a psych assessment showed that I had symptoms of Asperger's and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Unfortunately they used the fact that as Asperger's is a lifelong condition, and therefore pre-existing before I worked for them (I have been with them for 23 years) they would neither pay for diagnosis or treatment and suggested I go to my GP.
I am lucky to have a wonderful GP who did his best to persuade the local Mental Health Team to see and diagnose me. Unfortunately, due to budgetary restrictions, they triaged me and decided that as I am not a suicide risk they could not help me.
The Occy Health Dept have suggested various 'reasonable adjustments' to help me back to work. The HR Dept however refused to provide these without a diagnosis and long term prognosis. Without a diagnosis they also argue that I have no protection under the Equalities Act, and therefore no entitlement to such measures.
Occy Health also (Much to my surprise and incredulity) wrote to my GP suggesting that they should not extend my sick leave any further!
My GP contacted me and asked if I would like to consider being referred privately to a Consultant Psychiatrist. So last night I saw one. It cost me £300 but I now have the diagnosis confirmed that I am Asperger's.
It also became apparent that as I grew up with my wife (We have been together since our teens) that we have learnt to cope with and make allowances for my little quirks.
As a couple we are entering a sharp learning curve. It is comforting in a way that my behaviours can be explained, and indeed are typical AS behaviours. We have a lot of thinking to do though over where the compromises between my AS world and her Neaurotypical world should be.
The way forward is that I have a meeting with Occy Health on 18th March when they will decide if they want to invest in my mental health. To be honest I hope they retire me on medical grounds as I will receive a substantial pay-out that will secure me sufficiently that I never *have* to work full-time again.
I want to learn more about the *gift* side of Asperger's and make the most of what extra potential it offers. I am already a musician and have a relatively unexplored artistic talent
Thank you for allowing me to get this 'out there' it is a relief to find there are others like me.
Andy
