unsurewhattoname
Well-Known Member
And how do I get it?
-
Welcome to Autism Forums, a friendly forum to discuss Aspergers Syndrome, Autism, High Functioning Autism and related conditions.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Private Member only forums for more serious discussions that you may wish to not have guests or search engines access to.
- Your very own blog. Write about anything you like on your own individual blog.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon! Please also check us out @ https://www.twitter.com/aspiescentral
What help is there?
- Thread starter unsurewhattoname
- Start date
ChurchTheArtist
The love child of Bob Ross and Batman
Good question.
What do you believe to be the problem?
Who are you willing to listen to?
What are you willing to do to change your situation?
You get it by asking the right questions to the right people. You are off to a good start.
What do you believe to be the problem?
Who are you willing to listen to?
What are you willing to do to change your situation?
You get it by asking the right questions to the right people. You are off to a good start.
unsurewhattoname
Well-Known Member
I'm autistic, anyone (given they have objective reasoning I can understand), anything (within reason).
ChurchTheArtist
The love child of Bob Ross and Batman
Okay, I'll start then. This is just me and my take, feel free to challenge or question any time.
Problem: Autism
The first challenge you must overcome is ignorance. If you are not knowledgeable about the problem, anything you do to address it would be stabbing in the dark. You may waste your time or worse- make big mistakes in life. Start with the basics: Do a google search. When doing this, pay attention to the level of validity of each site and it's information and give each just a grain of salt. Do not take everything you read as fact or true. This is important. Instead, listen to what different people are saying about the subject. Read definitions from official sites, of course. But also observe people in action; here on this forum for instance. You may come across an argument about some major issue pertaining to autism such as curing it or treating it or moralities involved with it. When you see these things, do your best to take in all opinions at first, trying hard to understand each view and the reasons behind them. But don't be quick to form opinions. Just watch and learn. Read as much as you can and take notes.
Who to listen to:
My first advise is to find a psychologist in a small, private company that is well aligned with your religious beliefs. Religion is not important in this advice (not that it isn't important overall). What is important is that you build a relationship with a doctor of the same gender who will respect what you believe and focus on helping you and not converting you. Religion can play a major part in this but it is not my place to speak to it unless specifically asked (in private). A psychologist will help you separate and organize your thoughts. Often they can just be a professional listener but I don't allow my doc's to make easy money, I put those PHDs to work. You make sure they are helping you, not just listening to you. From there, if you are showing any specific problems such as clinical depression, insomnia, obsessive compulsions or the like, they can refer you to a psychiatrist (someone who can prescribe medication). It is important to choose your clinic wisely because you have to factor the possibility that some will push meds when they shouldn't based on the bottom line. Medications can help get you balanced but shouldn't be relied on. If you are stressed and can't sleep, they may put you on a medication to slightly lower your blood pressure before bed. They can get you through some tough times but should always be seen as something to work through. Again, this is my opinion and experience. Ultimately I won't push anything too strongly.
If this option is out of the question for you, you can explore a different avenue; one that will take a little more attention. Start getting involved in relevant communities such as this one. Again, spend some time observing. Look for people who seem to know what they are talking about. It is important to look for communities and individuals focused on positivity, encouragement and understanding. On a more specific level- just because someone may have similar interests like anime or games doesn't mean they are fit to guide you in more important matters. Remember that and keep your friends separate from your advisors. Each individual has their own strengths and weaknesses; it will be your job to sort through them based on what you observe. Don't limit yourself to people who are just like you. Yo have autism but may be able to learn a lot from the mother of an autistic person or someone who is here in more of a student capacity. Again, seek out those who will help you be the person you want to be.
It does help when you (privately) make note of qualities you value in a person. You don't have to have the qualities or even understand them. But if you can respect a quality and/or aspire to it, that will help you in your observations.
Change:
Luckily change comes later. Right now your focus is knowledge and wisdom. You need to seek to understand yourself and your situation. Change comes when decisions are made. Decisions can't be made until you come to a crossroad. You won't reach a crossroad without following a path. You must seek for the path to start on. I believe you are on a good path by joining a forum like this and asking questions.
Does this make sense?
Problem: Autism
The first challenge you must overcome is ignorance. If you are not knowledgeable about the problem, anything you do to address it would be stabbing in the dark. You may waste your time or worse- make big mistakes in life. Start with the basics: Do a google search. When doing this, pay attention to the level of validity of each site and it's information and give each just a grain of salt. Do not take everything you read as fact or true. This is important. Instead, listen to what different people are saying about the subject. Read definitions from official sites, of course. But also observe people in action; here on this forum for instance. You may come across an argument about some major issue pertaining to autism such as curing it or treating it or moralities involved with it. When you see these things, do your best to take in all opinions at first, trying hard to understand each view and the reasons behind them. But don't be quick to form opinions. Just watch and learn. Read as much as you can and take notes.
Who to listen to:
My first advise is to find a psychologist in a small, private company that is well aligned with your religious beliefs. Religion is not important in this advice (not that it isn't important overall). What is important is that you build a relationship with a doctor of the same gender who will respect what you believe and focus on helping you and not converting you. Religion can play a major part in this but it is not my place to speak to it unless specifically asked (in private). A psychologist will help you separate and organize your thoughts. Often they can just be a professional listener but I don't allow my doc's to make easy money, I put those PHDs to work. You make sure they are helping you, not just listening to you. From there, if you are showing any specific problems such as clinical depression, insomnia, obsessive compulsions or the like, they can refer you to a psychiatrist (someone who can prescribe medication). It is important to choose your clinic wisely because you have to factor the possibility that some will push meds when they shouldn't based on the bottom line. Medications can help get you balanced but shouldn't be relied on. If you are stressed and can't sleep, they may put you on a medication to slightly lower your blood pressure before bed. They can get you through some tough times but should always be seen as something to work through. Again, this is my opinion and experience. Ultimately I won't push anything too strongly.
If this option is out of the question for you, you can explore a different avenue; one that will take a little more attention. Start getting involved in relevant communities such as this one. Again, spend some time observing. Look for people who seem to know what they are talking about. It is important to look for communities and individuals focused on positivity, encouragement and understanding. On a more specific level- just because someone may have similar interests like anime or games doesn't mean they are fit to guide you in more important matters. Remember that and keep your friends separate from your advisors. Each individual has their own strengths and weaknesses; it will be your job to sort through them based on what you observe. Don't limit yourself to people who are just like you. Yo have autism but may be able to learn a lot from the mother of an autistic person or someone who is here in more of a student capacity. Again, seek out those who will help you be the person you want to be.
It does help when you (privately) make note of qualities you value in a person. You don't have to have the qualities or even understand them. But if you can respect a quality and/or aspire to it, that will help you in your observations.
Change:
Luckily change comes later. Right now your focus is knowledge and wisdom. You need to seek to understand yourself and your situation. Change comes when decisions are made. Decisions can't be made until you come to a crossroad. You won't reach a crossroad without following a path. You must seek for the path to start on. I believe you are on a good path by joining a forum like this and asking questions.
Does this make sense?
zurb
Eschewer of Obfuscation
Do you mean what government help?
It's going to depend a lot on your diagnosis, location, age and perceived problems, so if you can give more information, people here can give more advice.
If you mean help from this forum, just start a thread and ask a question like you did here.
It's going to depend a lot on your diagnosis, location, age and perceived problems, so if you can give more information, people here can give more advice.
If you mean help from this forum, just start a thread and ask a question like you did here.
Last edited:
unsurewhattoname
Well-Known Member
Yes, Asperger's, UK, 18, Asperger's.
unsurewhattoname
Well-Known Member
I don't have depression, insomnia, or OCD or anything else other than Asperger's, that's all I'm diagnosed with so that is all I have. I have seen a lot of psychiatrists and psychologists already and they've already assessed me and diagnosed me with the only thing I have so what is next? What help is there for high functioning young adults and how do I get it? I want to get better not depend on my parents all my life.
zurb
Eschewer of Obfuscation
There is a saying, "If you've met one aspie, you have met one aspie." That is, they are all different. And the help one needs others don't.
Many aspies here have had successful careers without intervention (and obviously are independent of their parents). Others haven't.
What makes you think that you might struggle to be independent? What were the circumstances leading up to diagnosis? Why did you/your parents/your teachers want a diagnosis? Were you struggling with school for example?
Being Aspie isn't a disease that can be treated to go away. But there are things you can learn or accommodations you may be granted. But to get them, you'd first need to identify where you are having a problem.
Many aspies here have had successful careers without intervention (and obviously are independent of their parents). Others haven't.
What makes you think that you might struggle to be independent? What were the circumstances leading up to diagnosis? Why did you/your parents/your teachers want a diagnosis? Were you struggling with school for example?
Being Aspie isn't a disease that can be treated to go away. But there are things you can learn or accommodations you may be granted. But to get them, you'd first need to identify where you are having a problem.
unsurewhattoname
Well-Known Member
Because they said so, to stop me being institutionalized, they didn't, no I wasn't.
Hi unsurewhattoname I'm UK based too.
This is a National Autistic Society link; they list a whole load of stuff including local meeting groups, where they exist. There is info on starting a local group where they don't.
http://www.autism.org.uk/
I understand that the MIND organization is also involved in some group meetings & support for people on spectrum too although they are not always affiliated to NAS, so I would get in touch with their nearest office too maybe.
unsurewhattoname
Well-Known Member
I have been referred on to something local but they haven't got back yet I think it was a regional version of the NAS but is that it?
Sounds like it could be, yes.
LOL!!
sorry; is there anything else you mean? you will have to search & research it. there is not much support.
At 18 you may get more attention to support than if you were an older diagnosed adult. & local groups too vary because ofc it depends on who runs them etc.
unsurewhattoname
Well-Known Member
Why isn't there very much then? Am I supposed to be nonfunctional forever?
Spiller
Just.. WEIRD!
I searched the internet after waiting 2 years for the NHS but didn't find much support at all. MIND is worth a look, although I and others didn't find them at all supportive, though that may vary by area.
There's also http://www.aspergers.org.uk/ Supporting Aspergers Families in Essex (SAFE) in the south-east.
They include meetup groups for adults and activities for kids - I've been a member for two years and have just started volunteering.
Unfortunately I've found that this comes down to self-help - GP's seem reluctant to listen and when you do finally get referred to a mental health team they're hard work also.
The best I've managed so far is to get my official diagnosis, so at least I don't now have to argue with every professional I talk to over whether I even have Aspergers or not.
The NHS are supposed to be setting up an Adults with Autism team, but government funding cuts mean it's not going to be soon.
There's also http://www.aspergers.org.uk/ Supporting Aspergers Families in Essex (SAFE) in the south-east.
They include meetup groups for adults and activities for kids - I've been a member for two years and have just started volunteering.
Unfortunately I've found that this comes down to self-help - GP's seem reluctant to listen and when you do finally get referred to a mental health team they're hard work also.
The best I've managed so far is to get my official diagnosis, so at least I don't now have to argue with every professional I talk to over whether I even have Aspergers or not.
The NHS are supposed to be setting up an Adults with Autism team, but government funding cuts mean it's not going to be soon.
ChurchTheArtist
The love child of Bob Ross and Batman
I've noticed it is much harder in the UK than here in the USA. We don't use GP unless a toddler gets the sniffles. We go straight to a specialist but I've been told it isn't that easy in the UK. Is that true?
ChurchTheArtist
The love child of Bob Ross and Batman
I've noticed it is much harder in the UK than here in the USA. We don't use GP unless a toddler gets the sniffles. We go straight to a specialist but I've been told it isn't that easy in the UK. Is that true?
Who is this 'we' who goes 'straight to a specialist'?
If you want something you basically go to your GP as the first port of call, they'll then refer you if they think it's necessary.
ChurchTheArtist
The love child of Bob Ross and Batman
Um, I hope you aren't trying to pick a fight. I was generalizing my, my family, my friends and all the people I know and talk to's experience. The "we" encompasses hundreds, thousands of people I've been in touch with... In the United States. I've been told by a couple of people in this site that the process of seeing a specialist is easier in the USA than it is in the UK. This comes from an outside perspective.
New Threads
-
-
-
-
Seeking Input on Software Accessibility for Autistic Users (Class Project)
- Started by crod95
- Replies: 0
-
-
-
How do you all cope with the feeling you’ll never feel belonging in this world?
- Started by Chimorin
- Replies: 30
-
-
-
Is this an example of theory of mind skills?
- Started by Misty Avich
- Replies: 10
