Adult autism diagnosise- stoke on trent?

DorsetGirl_2

http://www.saas.uk.com

Staffordshire Adult Autistic Society may be able to point you in the right direction.

lilly81

Thanks Dorset Girl, have passed the link on to my sister.
I love harrison- I have a son with Aspergers and was originally diagnosed with personality disorder, the treatment for this is 2 group theraphy sessions a week for 2 years. I looked into females with Aspergers and seemed to tick all the boxes, went and got a formal diagnosise where they stated the personality disorder course would not have made much difference to my life!
I find knowing why I react to certain things in certain ways helps me to remain calm and deal with them :j

Karena_3

yalisrib wrote: »

Your car is clunking - you want to know why. Your tap doesnt stop dripping - you want to know why. If you cannot hold a conversation with other adults, are terrified of new situations, cant get your thoughts in order - you want to know why. Often being diagnosed with such a complex condition is like being told you are broken, but it is not your fault and whilst you may never be fixed, you can at least get the support you need.

Hi.
I am sorry to be negative but do wish to be realistic.Part of the problem is that in many parts of the country a diagnosis of ASD for an adult is just that.It does not enable an individual to obtain the support that is needed.The reality is that there is very little tailored support available.

If an individual has Social Care needs or mental health needs these are likely to be supported much more quickly by requesting assessment for the needs.A diagnosis can take months or years to obtain and may be a very long way to go about requesting help.

Adults may have many valid reasons for wanting an assessment for ASD diagnosis but I think expectations need to be realitic.

I talk as the parent of a child who has a diagnosis of ASD and dyspraxia who has a Statement of SEN which still only enables the minimal amount of support to be provided in practice.

Karen.

Karena_3

lilly81 wrote: »

Unfortunatly my sister does have self care needs and mental health issues, she also has 2 children and is under social services because she can not keep her house clean/tidy ( is unhygenic).
I am hoping a diagnosise will help her get the support she clearly needs

Hi.As I suggested in the previous post it may be worth pushing for support for your sisters self care needs,mental health needs and Social Care needs.In all of these areas a diagnosis of ASD would not make the needs any different to what they are now.Rather they might explain what is behind the needs in a different way.

Many very capable independent people have a diagnosis of ASD and it is just that.It does not of itself enable access to other services.

Also as I mentioned in the original post Social Services and the NHS have to establish that the needs are what they consider to be significant.If your sister is supported by Social Services the important issue is whether they are providing what should be provided according to an assessment of need.An ASD diagnosis will not make any difference to that assessment.

Does your sister want an assessment for an ASD diagnosis ?
If she is regarded as capable of making an informed decision then it is very much up to her whether request assessment.


Karen.

Terrysdelight

Quote:
Originally Posted by sunnyone
People only ever want a diagnosis when they can gain from it, there are no "good" reasons to seek diagnosis.


You are so wrong. When something is wrong, we need to know what is wrong to try to see where things can be improved. My son is on the Spectrum and I suspect that I probably am too.

Once my son got his confirmed diagnosis, I read many books on the subject and so much fell into place. We can understand our slightly odd behaviour and why we do things. We can then do things, plan things differently and hopefully get more support and understanding from others so we can live a better life.

Terrysdelight

lilly81 wrote: »

Thanks Dorset Girl, have passed the link on to my sister.
I love harrison- I have a son with Aspergers and was originally diagnosed with personality disorder, the treatment for this is 2 group theraphy sessions a week for 2 years. I looked into females with Aspergers and seemed to tick all the boxes, went and got a formal diagnosise where they stated the personality disorder course would not have made much difference to my life!
I find knowing why I react to certain things in certain ways helps me to remain calm and deal with them :j

I suspect my sister too has Aspergers - she too has a diagnosis of personality disorder - which she refuses to accept. Myself, her children have all read the books with the tick list of symptoms - and as far as we see it, she has it big style. She refuses to accept that, but, we as her family, find it much easier to accept and tolerate her strange behaviour.

I wish I could get my sister to seek some form of help - her life is a total mess and we find it so hard to help her.

sunnyone

Terrysdelight wrote: »

Quote:
Originally Posted by sunnyone
People only ever want a diagnosis when they can gain from it, there are no "good" reasons to seek diagnosis.


You are so wrong. When something is wrong, we need to know what is wrong to try to see where things can be improved. My son is on the Spectrum and I suspect that I probably am too.

Once my son got his confirmed diagnosis, I read many books on the subject and so much fell into place. We can understand our slightly odd behaviour and why we do things. We can then do things, plan things differently and hopefully get more support and understanding from others so we can live a better life.

You are wrong, I didnt seek a diagnosis and my diagnosis when it came made no diffrence at all in my life, professional have been looking for a name for my condition since i was four but it never bothered me and I even enjoyed all the testing etc. by the child pyscologistsevery year while i was in education.

Self diagnosis is a dangerous thing, you are using your sons diagnosis to diagnose yourself which is very, very wrong.

Terrysdelight

Perhaps we should agree to disagree.

I'm not diagnosing anyone - I was asked by professionals to read certain books and I recognized so many traits. I said I suspect I could have ASD and so could my sister (Aspergers).

Once my son got help, I got him the help he needed at school. I understand my son better now and don't get upset when he does odd things.

It can be beneficial to have a diagnosis at least it gives people the chance to understand and people can stop pulling their hair out at the sometimes very odd behaviour.

I also work for a charity for people with Special Needs and believe me all the parents are looking for answers - no diagnosis - no answers.

skater_kat

I_love_Harrison wrote: »

Infact now they know I have asperger's the mental health team has closed my case as they say they can't help me.

this happened to me too

Karena_3

sunnyone wrote: »

You are wrong, I didnt seek a diagnosis and my diagnosis when it came made no diffrence at all in my life, professional have been looking for a name for my condition since i was four but it never bothered me and I even enjoyed all the testing etc. by the child pyscologistsevery year while i was in education.

Self diagnosis is a dangerous thing, you are using your sons diagnosis to diagnose yourself which is very, very wrong.

Hi.
I think it is a bit strong to say self-diagnosis of AS for and adult is dangerous.There is no treatment for AS as such.I have a son with AS and school use many of the strategies that help him for many other pupils with various difficulties.Things like visual planners,awareness of sensory overload etc etc never did anyone any harm.An adult without a diagnosis of AS can read books by some recognised authors and use any of the ideas suggested which would not do anyone any harm.