Home › Forums › New Members › UNDIAGNOSED AUTISM!!
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AnonymousInactiveJuly 16, 2011 at 5:09 pmPost count: 1
Hi, Just joined today. I am 53 years old, and have suspected all my life I may have autism or some form of mental retardation, although never been medically diagnosed with anything – mainly due to the fact that no-body has ever cared enough to get me diagnosed as a child, although enough was said about it at the time, and as an adult I have had some difficulty convincing my Dr's that I need tests, as I have very poor verbal communication skills. Throughout my life I have been called 'old mother spastic', mental, etc. A teacher once described me as (and I quote), 'not exactly mental, but a bit slow on the uptake and at picking things up. Has communication problems and difficulties with relationships – can't understand jokes!!!'I have very poor handwriting, and cannot do my own hair!! Both of which I believe are traits of autism!!! I am completely isolated as I am unable to form relationships. Also have problems understanding things, and taking things in - although all right once I know what I am doing - it just takes me longer than most, and people are very impatient with me because of this!! The only time I go out is when i go to work, in a very low paid data input job which I have held since I was 18. The only reason I got the job was because the woman who should have sat in on the interview was off, and the Office Manager who interviewed me had a mentally retarded son and had a soft spot for people with mental problems!!! On starting the job, the woman told me if she had been present at the interview, there was no way I would have got the job. Although I am able to work in simple menial tasks like data input, the problem is getting the job in the first place as I have very poor verbal communication skills, and struggle to make myself understood. I did try to get better paid jobs when younger, but never got past the interview stage!! I cannot work with people, but am all right if left alone. I havent had much of a life, and it has been very hard. It doesnt take long for people to realise what I am once they have met me, and consequently I have been taken advantage of, and made a grin of all my life!!! As I have grown older, I think it has become more obvious what I am, and although I have had a couple of relationships and female friends when I was much younger - they never stayed for long, and now I am completely isolated.Just an introduction to my wonderful 'life', (not) and was wondering how do the rest of you cope?? Do you find things more difficult if you are older??!!
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AnonymousInactiveSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:29 pmPost count: 5
Hello, I am sorry to hear of your struggles with your doctor! I firstly suggest you see another doctor and insist on some kind of assessment. Tell your doctor you are uncomfortable leaving your house and find looking after yourself difficult.The doctor can refer you to a psychologist who could maybe work out if you have autism or something similar. I also suggest that you phone your local social services, explain you are struggling to look after yourself and that you feel uncomfortable leaving the house but the doctor won't help you. They may be able to give your doctor a letter saying you need assessing. If you search the internet for your local council, find about social care, or the "disabled team" I am amazed how you have coped alone all these years. Well done. Do not let anyone put you down. I have a 7 year old with autism and see how he struggles every day, and he is in a loving family so I can't imagine how hard it must be for you. I am here if you need any further advice. Don't give in, keep going to your doctor asking for an assessment. Try a new doctor if all else fails.Check out this link, it's from the national autistic society, if you phone them they will advise you on the best thing to do to get a diagnosis. http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/adults-with-autism-or-asperger-syndrome.aspx
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