Aspergers Syndrome forums online UK groups

[rilee]

Hello are there any groups online apart from Facebook where I can find out from other people who have Aspergers Syndrome or suspected Aspergers about their experiences and what symptoms or traits they have which are commonly associated with Aspergers Syndrome? Preferably UK Aspergers groups I would like to get in touch with. I am 47 years old but only have suspected Aspergers Syndrome

[Hidden]

Good to see you’re trying to find support. Is this what you’ve gathered from your own findings? Or have you been told that you could have Aspergers by a professional?

FYI you may find that Aspergers was scrapped from the DSM years ago. Nowadays a diagnosis in the uk you may get an Autism diagnosis instead, that’s what I’m aware of anyway. I work in a specialist nursery and heard about it through work. I am also autistic if that helps. 😊

There are various autistic advocates on Instagram a mix of some from the UK and US.

I hope this is useful

[rilee in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply ethne. I have been suspected as having Aspergers Syndrome for many years now as far back as 2007 from my family mainly my father and uncle suspected it since then. That is the first time I had heard of Aspergers was from them.I did go to speak to a professional psychologist back in 2008 who my doctor referred me to as my father wanted to see if they could give me a diagnosis. I was not aware at the time that I was acting in such a way that I had Aspergers and I didn't know anything about it then. The only thing I told the psychologist is that I had problems with anxiety and had 1 friend and I had some problems with domestic living. I didn't think of telling him about other symptoms associated with Aspergers with me not having any knowledge at the time. So the professional who I went to see did not give me a diagnosis.

In more recent years I have been more consciously aware of my characteristics and have been reading up more about Aspergers or as you say it is under ASD as it is now classed and I do think I might have Aspergers although I am 50/50 if I have it or not

The reasons are I think I might have some of the characteristics of is because I tend to have a repetitive routine and at times I don't like having much eye contact with some people. But I think my symptoms are not as severe or extreme as what I have read are the common symptoms associated with Autism( Aspergers) are.

For example, from what I read looking at articles to do with Autism( Aspergers), they seem to suggest that many people struggle with eye contact and breaking a repetitive routine and they would be distressed if any of those things happened. When they say many I don't know how many they mean. I am not saying that alot of people with the condition don't have those experiences but if I have Aspergers then from my experiences my symptoms seem to be mild compared to other people.

For example regarding my repetitive routine I have, I like to eat for dinner particular foods on particular days, potatoes and beans every Monday and Pot Noodles every Wednesday and Sunday or I have cold cereals like cornflakes or Weetabix in Spring and Summer and warmer cereals like porridge every autumn and winter. Also I like to have a daily repetitive routine. But if something happens which interrupts my routine I would not get too upset about it I might feel disappointed but would like to return to my previous routine as soon as possible.

It is the same with having eye to eye contact. I tend to give more voluntary eye contact to people I feel secure and comfortable with. People who I don't feel secure or comfortable I try to avoid eye contact with them. So those are some of the reasons I now myself think I might have Aspergers or ASD now. And I am sure there are others with Aspergers or Suspected who have the common symptoms but maybe to a milder level like me. That is why I am seeking another opinion of a psychologist to see if I can get a diagnosis.