Aspergers at age 45

[davidgolf49]

Hi, I was dx'd with Aspergers in 2012 aged 45.

I look forward to hearing from others.

Thanks.

[Nozmo]

Hi David,

I'm interested to hear if you think the diagnosis has helped you with your everyday life?

My son has a diagnosis of ASD. When he first got it I did an Open University course on Understanding The Autism Spectrum so I could better understand his needs. The more I read the more I thought "That's me!" and when I read about the genetic influence I was more or less convinced it came from me. I haven't gone down the diagnostic route as I'm not sure what benefit this would be at my age (50).

Any advice?

[Hidden in reply to Nozmo]

That choice would be yours. I have found out at 59 whilst my boys were being tested that I have Dyslexia , Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia . I also have ADD but that's ongoing.

We have found out issues back to Grandparents which were not recognised.

You can claim PIP once diagnosed, it also offers other support groups like Autism Iniative late diagnosis. It's not going to make much difference work wise .

Basically if you want answers to your issues get tested.

[davidgolf49 in reply to Nozmo]

Hi Nozmo, thanks for replying. I was in a mess(crash) and didn't know why. I thought I was ill, but by chance I saw Dr Jessen mentioning Aspergers on Tv. I went to my GP and told her my findings, She referred me and 4 months later I was diqgnosed.

It has helped me immensely, mainly because I found out why my life has been like it has been, and I know my limits, and understand why I am 'different'.

I could write a book but think this might help you in your search for answers.

Feel free to ask more.

Happy new year!😄

[davidgolf49 in reply to Nozmo]

I replied to your original question.

[Hidden]

Have you approached Autism Iniative ? They have specialist groups for late diagnosis adults. Very supportive.

[Nozmo in reply to Hidden]

I haven't Yiman (didn't even know of its existence to be honest!) but I'll have a look into it.

I'm not sure if I need a diagnosis, just curious, but I would like to know a little more about it. My wife accepts my "oddities", as do the people at work. Then again I work in science so it's almost obligatory to be "weird"

[Hidden]

facebook.com/Number6OSS/

Oh another Scientist, brilliant news.

facebook.com/Number6OSS/

There are all ages and abilities. It is amazing how well each Autistic Person will help others.

We are all on the Spectrum. Life would be boring if we were all the same .

telegraph.co.uk/men/thinkin...

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

[davidgolf49 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, can I ask what you mean by "we are all on the spectrum"? Thanks.

[Hidden in reply to davidgolf49]

There has been masses of research recently. Can you imagine a belll curve, it's how far round that curve that issues start to show. Before that it's classed as personality really. We all show traits e.g. bluntness , relationships well the list goes on forever.

I believe the figures for Autism Spectrum are massively underestimated. So many people are now realising in later life , " Why have I struggled all these years " , whilst others do a fraction of the effort and seem to get everything right.

Because of the lack of understanding I believe that's why so many have been missed.

[davidgolf49 in reply to Hidden]

You sound like a denier. The Autism spectrum applies only to autism. The range of issues that neuro-typicals face are so vastly different to those with Autism.

Are you Autistic?

[Hidden in reply to davidgolf49]

I am on the Spectrum, found out at 59, test still ongoing.

Have two sons on the Spectrum, late diagnosis , we are still finding issues, rare syndromes years later.

Have also worked backwards through the generations and found lots of relatives with issues, not diagnosed.

Nowadays with the right help and support, some folks need little support others 24/7.

The lack of understanding of Autism Spectrum is endemic. I believe so many are wrongly diagnosed in the Spectrum.

Had I known now what I know my boys , one should have been monitored since birth the other diagnosed at 5 at the latest.

We need massive education out there, not just mental health services but health visitors , GPs, School Doctors , Teachers , dietician, speech therapists, occupational therapists . They have all failed my family. The list goes on forever.

Guess who eventually worked out 95% of the issues me.

It's getting someone to believe you . The main issue is masking the issues.

Bottom line is Education. It's also using the mini Professor , eye for detail, following things through to their advantage .

The videos of young people explaining their issues on National Autistic Society have really promoted the issues.

Pleased you have your diagnosis . It answered so many of my issues over the years .

I think some people would not cope with a formal diagnosis . The choice must be left to that person.

[davidgolf49 in reply to Hidden]

People are not wrong diagnosed, because the method of assessing is so good. I was missed, and went through school accused of not trying, or being lazy, naughty, sent home alot at primary school, written off by parents as a failure, useless, stupid, good for nothing, you will end up in prison etc..................

A formal diagnosis improves one's life immensely, but you are Autistic? Test still ongoing?? SO you have not have a formal diagnosis yet? This is confusing.

[davidgolf49 in reply to Hidden]

1 in 100 people are on the Autism spectrum , please do not speculate, it's best to stick to facts and science.

[Hidden in reply to davidgolf49]

autismspeaks.org/science/sc...

New worldwide research contradicts those figures.

So many people are being wrongly diagnosed e.g. ADHD when it should be Asbergers.

We must all be open minded to new and ongoing research and be willing to listen to new evidence.

It's not that long ago that Autism was not recognised , parents fault .

One day it will be easy with blood tests instead of the present assesment .

We still need masses of research.

[davidgolf49 in reply to Hidden]

No, they are not being wrongly diagnosed with ADHD, but that used to happen before 1994. It isn't the parent's fault, blood tests?? are you mad?? You need to wait till your tests are finished, how can you say that you are Autistic if the tests are still ongoing? What tests??

[davidgolf49 in reply to Hidden]

It's called Aspergers, please spell correctly.

[Hidden in reply to davidgolf49]

I am Dyslexic.

I am not willing to argue with you.

My experience has been completely different to yours

Shall we leave it that you now have your diagnosis .

Your views are very rigid, a trait of Asbergers.

We must all work together to help one another .

[davidgolf49 in reply to Hidden]

Dyslexic...exactly, so not Autistic, and yet you come here telling everyone that you know everything.

You continue to spell Aspergers as Asbergers.

[Edited by HU]

[Nozmo in reply to davidgolf49]

I think there's a lot of confusion and misinterpretation in this thread. Hidden is certainly no troll and in fact she has helped a lot of people on here with her advice and knowledge of the system. It sounds like you both have had very different experiences of the diagnostic process and that's no surprise as it can be fragmented and inconsistent.

I hope we can all be nice to each other. We're all trying to help one another out.

[Nozmo]

I'm not so sure about all of that. She is going through the ASD diagnostic process at present (from what I can gather) so she may well be on the spectrum. Dyslexia, along with other conditions, can be co-morbid with ASD and it is very common for the two things to go together. Even if she doesn't meet the diagnostic criteria she has a lot of experience of the condition, through her family.

The "everybody is on the autistic spectrum" idea is very prevalent these days. The statement was even used as an essay title on the Understanding the Autism Spectrum Open University course that I did! We had to state whether we agreed with the statement or not and give supporting evidence. It's a very contentious statement, which is probably why they chose it for the essay.

I can't deny the misspelling of Hans Asperger's surname but it's an easy mistake to make - especially if you suffer from dyslexia.

The forum is all about people sharing their experiences and trying to help each other. I've been here for a few months now and I can honestly say I don't know of anybody here who is trying to cause trouble.

[davidgolf49 in reply to Nozmo]

She/he hasn't been formally diagnosed, and apparently has Dyslexia? Yet he/she makes no mistakes apart from a deliberate Asbergers.

I can spot trolls from a mile off.

[georgia88]

hi David I'm interested in hearing if any of your behaviors have changed or improved with being diagnosed with Asperger in the recent years, i have a family member who is on the autistic spectrum and noticed that when they got diagnosed in 2013 hes behaviors have a changed a little in some areas and other areas they have improved. i also study health social care so i have a lot of back ground information on this subject and have also worked with people on this spectrum. i look forward from hearing back from you and anyone else

[davidgolf49 in reply to georgia88]

At 45 you can't change your behaviour, I now know what my limits are though and I am able to think more clearly about my life and my future. But without support depression kicks in. That's life.