Adult son recently diagnosed as high functioning autistic.

[4myMomAVB]

Adult son recently diagnosed as high functioning autistic. Hoping to find others who are going through similar situations and hopefully some guidance.

[emmasue]

My 11 year old son was recently diagnosed as autistic. It took a long time to get answers, but I am glad to know. He is as well. I think he takes pride in his autism. The only thing that gets him down is when the other boys wind him up at school. At least he starts a new school in September and he's the only kid from his class that is going to the new school.

My husband is probably autistic as well. We are doing the Autism Parent Training course through IDS and all my husband can think is "That's me!". Unfortunately we cannot afford a private assessment and the GP didn't want to go down that route either so we are left just know that he probably is. It would explain a lot and it helps him to know why he struggled so much as a child and so much now. Life is hard if you don't know how to fit in. Fortunately, he has me and he has a fairly decent job. If he can just keep his head down at work, he should be okay.

I think the best book I read about autism was Neurotribes by Steve Silberman. It's more of a history of autism and how understanding of the condition developed over time, but I think it's general premise that there has always been those on the spectrum is correct. I think that society needs to change, to be more accepting of difference, to celebrate difference and to accept that people aren't perfect and don't all fit in the same box. I think things are changing, but a first step is for autistic people to accept themselves and to accept that they see the world differently. Hopefully, society will continue to change and autism will be seen as less of a disability an more as just a difference.

I wish you and your son the best and I hope things improve for you both.

[corriefan]

My son is in his mid 20's, diagnosed age 21. The diagnosis was done privately through a charity as although I had sort help from age 3 we never got a diagnosis on the NHS. He currently has a part-time job and lives in a small flat during the week and returns home at weekends. Its been a long hard struggle but I'm proud of where we have now reached.

[Donna3973]

My adult son (20) is currently being tested for aspergers its a scary time but as awful as it may sound i will be glad to have a diagnosis to explain his behaviour x

[Marsh-Mallow]

my son is 21 and has just has his assessment (finally!) The verdict was he has level 1 ASD.. high functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome (all the different terms keep changing and confuse people!) It's a relief to finally know for sure. I did plenty of research of my own while we were waiting and joined fb groups to find out as much about it as possible. The assessment helped us all gain greater understanding and awareness about our son's difficulties though. Found it a helpful process to go through, we had an excellent supportive assessor (he was on the spectrum himself) and it was beneficial to our son. He's seemed happier lately. He has a lot of difficulty in social situations, he had become a recluse pretty much and since leaving college not been able to manage even applying for jobs or further education. We're waiting for our follow up appointment to see what help he can get with these things but together with his medication and growing confidence/ acceptance of himself and our understanding I feel like a weight is lifting off all our shoulders.. have just ordered the book 'Neurotribes' and am trying to make other people as aware about autism as I can. It's not just about my son having to 'fit in' to society but society understanding/accepting him and others like him as well

[franwilde13 in reply to Marsh-Mallow]

How long did you have to wait for the assessment

[4myMomAVB]

Thank you all for the replies. I will definitely have to check out Neurotribes. I wish I would have known earlier but better late than never. I am just taking things one day at a time as I have a lot on my plate. I have beat myself up a lot over the years but I'm learning to let those feelings go and just deal with each issue as they come. The overall goal though is to help him be independent.

[4myMomAVB]

It took about 6-8 months to get in and then it took another 4 appointments which were about an hour long each to finally get an assessment. I am in Canada, and like many other places mental health is underfunded so there is quite a wait time to get in.