Newly diagnosed at the age of 23

[kiisa]

Hi there everyone.

I have just been recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 23. I'm female by the way. I was wondering... what now? What support is there available to me? I've been off work for the past 3 months due to a meltdown at work (which I wasn't aware was a meltdown at the time), but I was labelled as depressed by my GP etc, until I got my official diagnosis the other week.

I'm finding it hard to want to go back to work and really, really anxious about it. I'm not sure if I will be able to, or if I'm going to be able to cope because I work in a very overstimulating environment (a hospital laboratory full of analysers which sometimes have loud alarms going off etc.). I'm really at a loss. I have my diagnosis, but what now...? I've been told by my psychiatrist to check out the National Autistic Society and I have, but I just can't seem to make sense of anything in my head.

[Aspen797]

Have you checked out autism-alliance.org.uk ? It seems to offer information on the rights of those diagnosed as being on the spectrum and supports that are available as well a as research into therapies that are most helpful.

I hope someone else provides more info here, especially on what resources they personally have found helpful to them.

[Glad2BDifferent]

Hello Kiisa

First of all.... I am proud of you for managing to get diagnosed, as being a woman...that is no small feat in itself....Bravo

I too found myself in just a similar situation after being diagnosed and then left to my own devices... The National Autistic Society was my saving grace back some 10 years ago and they were able to engage with the HR dept at work and bring in someone who was there for me! They liaised with the Department of work and pensions as your company is obligated to support you by law nowadays and can get support so that there is someone at your work trained to be your Go-To person when things get too much. You can have a chat with your NAS rep on a regular basis to help you find the structure you need to feel valued again.... Having that moment when the sky fell at work, is the focus you and your company can work to avoid again by having support at work and also they do training days for you, to help you understand yourself and where you fit in with the world you are aware of!

I went to the London based office as I worked at the stock exchange when I discovered I had aspergers... But the thing I would remind you of, is that you were you before this happened and you are still that same you now...only more wise to your special gift

Do not look at this as a way to explain why you are the way you are...Think of it as acknowledgement that it is time you discovered who you are and your limitations, your strengths, your abilities..... Knowledge is knowing something...Wisdom is understanding why ! You bring a special skill that your company is unaware of, but you excel at with your eyes closed even when others struggle..... They need you more than you give yourself credit for Kiisa and it is your duty as you, to make sure you continue to enjoy life instead of closing down thinking you are not worth it...You earned the right to do that job...so show them why your there and be the best at your specialist subject gladly

Don't give up on you please... This gift is yours and now you are aware you have it...you can blossom into the person you always were but never knew x

[kiisa in reply to Glad2BDifferent]

What a wonderful way of putting it. Thank you so much, I really needed that. Xx

[Ohno60]

Hi Kiisa. I will be following your thread as my 27 year old daughter is highly likely to be on the spectrum but we have only just found out. I have gone through just about every website I can find to get a private assessment as we are getting no where with several GPs.

They either don't reply or point me in a different direction and I go round in circles. I really hope you find a way as I have been trying for eight months with very little support.

[kiisa in reply to Ohno60]

Feel free to ask me anything, hopefully I can help! I hope you and your daughter get the answers you’ve been searching for. I went with Psychiatry UK - very fast and almost stress free. X