Why didn't *I* think of that?

[Gaia_rising]

I'm not sure where to 'put' this, but remember how supportive this forum has been in the past.

Almost two weeks ago, I was verbally diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (or Condition, depending who you ask.) I'm still waiting for it to come out in writing, to make it tangible. I'd always been a bit odd, and not particularly sociable, but now so many things make sense, especially with the intensive media coverage of Greta Thunberg throwing light on why Autistic girls and women tend to slip through the diagnostic net.

I'm still unemployed, I've finished my Cognitive Analytic Therapy, and been referred on for Emotional Coping Skills and Compassion group-therapies.

Neurology eventually picked me up this April, and there's a five-phase plan to address the chronic migraine, currently on stepped-increase Amitriptyline, which is helping with the visual auras and pain, but not with the fatigue, insomnia, or vertigo.

DWP are being a pain again, I've just had to fill in the Work Capacity Assessment again, very gently explaining that my brain injuries haven't gone away, or gotten better. Brain injuries and ASD are a brilliant combination, I write everything down, and keep copies of everything, so Universal Credit don't have a leg to stand on if they suddenly decide I'm fit-for-work. My PIP was awarded at the enhanced rate for daily living, and back-dated to March 2017, I'll have to re-apply in December this year. All fun and games, and non-disabled people don't get to see that the reason UC saves money is that the claimants do all of their own admin...

Any way, just popping in to sort-of-explain why I sometimes blow hot and cold, and apologise to anyone I've offended with my linear bluntness in the past.

Onwards and sideways, I suppose.

[sca2013]

Good for you! That is a great thing you were able to do all of that. Sorry you're having to do so much to manage all the regulatory nonsense. Wishing you a great rest of the week.

[cat3]

This doesn't surprise me Gaia. I have a severely autistic 50 year old relative who sadly has no speech and needs 24hr residential care. But I'm also great aunt to a delightful 7 year old girl who's on the autistic spectrum and 'weirdly' intelligent/knowledgeable/insightful/ artistic.....to the point where she's now considered savant.

So the distinction is startling, as the first has no identifiable quality of life whereas the other, despite her OCD tendencies, has a bright future. And it's no great surprise that, with your intellectual savvy and wit, you're somewhere on that spectrum.

Hope the Amitriptyline helps somewhat ...…...and that you have a break from the ceaseless chore which is the DWP !

Cat x

[Gaia_rising in reply to cat3]

Thanks, cat3 I remember you being incredibly supportive when I first joined the forum, and was trying to run around with my underpants outside my trousers. I was belligerent and obstinate, and absolutely certain I'd 'get better' if I just tried a little harder. That's the big clash with ASD and BI, the ASD wants everything done, dusted, and orderly, whereas the BI, and the recent diagnosis of chronic migraine mean I can't be 100% all day, every day. I'm trying to be kinder to myself, on the bright side, the AS traits do keep me something-like organised.

It's a learning process, for part of most days I'm as sharp as a tack, it's just not all-day-every-day. (Slightly complicated by my son having finished university, and being back with me, he has multiple AS traits as well, and the old 'Males with Autism present differently to females with Autism' is glaringly obvious, we'd make a brilliant sitcom, or fly-on-the-wall documentary, he moves things, I put them back where they were, he has a sensory aversion to my washing-up bowl, and is scared of bins, I have a tactile aversion to my bathroom mat, and cover it with a towel, he picks the towel up and hangs it over the bath-side.)

I'm starting an OU degree, and waiting to see if DWP want me to attend a Work Capability Assessment, so keeping myself occupied.

[cat3 in reply to Gaia_rising]

…..sounds quite like me & mine ; put us together and we're all agreed our joint lives would make a great (if rather dark) sit-com.

Good luck with your degree m'dear and hope the DWP don't cause you too much grief. x