The ASD thread (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

[Bleaney]

Originally Posted by firemonkey

I have dxes of Schizophrenia and Asperger's/ASD. I know several people on schizophrenia.com who also have both dxes.

I met such a person with both dxes during my first year at Uni. He was very much on the fringes of everything socially and was an outcast, and at that time I had absolutely no idea why I was interested in the guy, when nearly everyone else avoided him like the plague.

THe first thing he talked about with me was the he saw people's halos, and asked if I did too. He had also had numerous very powerful out of body experiences. I found him a very interesting person.

I was quite heavily into a druggy culture at this time, and paradoxically although the guy dressed way out of step, in a very middle aged and conservative and straight laced style, his inner self was the freakiest out of everyone there.

I had no idea at the time why I was drawn to this type of character. I understand why now.

As it turns out it was lucky that I left that Univeristy after one year. Heroin addicts had started coming to our parties, and were around on the fringes of things. I'm so thankful I didn't do another year there, the next year was a very vulnerable year for me, I had just had a nervous breakdown and would probably have been vulnerable to heroin at that time. I had no idea of moderation. I would not have lasted long if I had started down that path at that time.

Sorry if all that is completely irrelevant and of no interest - but it just happens to be my impressions and recollections of knowing someone with those dxes.

[firemonkey]

^ No need to be sorry. . Far more people with SMI I are going to uni and getting degrees compared to the mid 1970s when my contemporaries were going). I was even told not to read a book I' had because it would tax my brain too much and make me ill.. I did know several who'd started at uni,and then become psychotic.

The one I remember most had been academically top notch pre the psychosis. . He spoke very little and would walk around, hands clasped behind his back, as though he was in deep silent contemplation.He even had a 'Jesus' look about him.

[Mo34]

Originally Posted by Dougella

^^ Good thing your complaint got somewhere anyway! The thing is, as I understand it, people can have traits of autism but that doesn't mean that they are autistic. Some traits overlap with other conditions. If someone is autistic they will have traits in all the categories necessary for a diagnosis, not just a couple (This is something that makes me question things myself).
I guess the assessment will let you know one way or another!

Yes, I was quite surprised! Shows how they will try and fob you off if you don't stand up.

Yes, I get the principle of having traits, it just all seems a bit vague. I like definitive answers that I can't umm and ahh over!
Yes hopefully!

[Amara 94]

19:55

I can relate to a tee. I think, this is unpopular opinions thread material, maybe there is no such thing as being hypersensitive. When someone is called hypersensitive or over reactive it’s simply a result of the other person not understanding the perspective of the individual.

[choirgirl]

I've been listening to the thoughtyauti podcasts, and they're pretty good.

[firemonkey]

Study reveals high rate of possible undiagnosed autism in people who died by suicide

Newswise — A new study has revealed that a significant number of people who died by suicide were likely autistic, but undiagnosed, highlighting the urgent need for earlier diagnosis and tailored support for suicide prevention.

A team of researchers, led by Dr Sarah Cassidy from the University of Nottingham and Professor Simon Baron-Cohen from the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, are the first to examine evidence of autism and autistic traits in those who died by suicide in England. They analysed Coroners’ inquest records of 372 people who died by suicide and also interviewed family members of those who died. The research is published today in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

The researchers found that 10% of those who died by suicide had evidence of elevated autistic traits, indicating likely undiagnosed autism. This is 11 times higher than the rate of autism in the UK. The research team worked with Coroners’ offices in two regions of England to identify the records.

https://www.newswise.com/articles/st...ied-by-suicide

[Mo34]

Well had to have my psychology appointment yesterday over the phone as my internet was too slow to cope with NHS Anywhere. Was fine. She's seeing me regarding anxiety and Trauma not ASD but obviously its on my record that I'm on the waiting list.
She finally found my RAADs questionnaire from 2 or 3 years ago to have a look at, I'd forgotten I'd peppered it with ? beside some of my answers. It hadn't been scored but at a glance she said it's likely not because of the score but the way I'd approached the questionnaire (which was apparently quite telling for some reason) that I may very well meet the threshold for ASD/C. She did say a couple of weeks ago looking at some CBT record I'd done that it kind of suggested ASD traits possibly. She can't diagnose as she is just adult mental health not part of the ASD specialist team but still it has given me food for thought....

I'm still keeping an open mind as I think I need to hear it formally from a specialist but it does kind of make you revaluate an awful lot. It's also made me think about my Dad and made me begin to wonder about him too. I have a cousin who is ASD and supposedly some of my dads sisters were diagnosed with schizophrenia in the 1960's , today it's unlikely they would receive this diagnosis as they (as far as I know) didn't have hallucinations or delusions. I remember my old recovery worker at Mind saying these days they could be diagnosed with anything as in the 60's it was very archaic. It is now making me wonder if what was actually going on was ASD.

On a plus note, I was booked in for 6 sessions with this psychologist, yesterday over the phone she was saying so say we have 10 more sessions and we focus on this and this. So I guess she's extended it somewhat. Will have to email my private counsellor and let her know as I've taken a hiatus till I finish with statuary services.
Although she (the psychologist) is CBT focused (I hate CBT - which she knows ) she has also got me doing - slowly a timeline of memories and events. It's weirdly therapeutic although at times also difficult. I think I may have struck lucky with her as she's willing to be flexible in her approach. She recognises that ASD or not my background is complicated and needs to be processed.

[Dougella]

^ That's interesting. I wonder what the things were that she noticed in your questionnaire.

There often seems to be a genetic link with ASD, so having family members who are diagnosed or may have been autistic but diagnosed with something else can be an important factor.

It's good you seem to finally be getting some support and some possible answers

[Mo34]

^ Yes, I might ask her when I next see her. I was taking in so much info I didn't think to ask!

Yeah it's quite nice to be actually listened to/taken seriously, even if there are limitations to what can be offered. Just being treated like a human being and with honesty is refreshing. I haven't always had the best of experiences with the NHS in the past to say the least.

[firemonkey]

Autism and psychosis, evidence for a distinct subtype?

https://www.psychiatry.cam.ac.uk/blo...tinct-subtype/

[Dougella]

Originally Posted by nothing_special_2501

19:55

I can relate to a tee. I think, this is unpopular opinions thread material, maybe there is no such thing as being hypersensitive. When someone is called hypersensitive or over reactive it’s simply a result of the other person not understanding the perspective of the individual.

Yes, there's nothing wrong with being sensitive. I relate to a lot of what she was saying aswell.

[Dougella]

Originally Posted by firemonkey

Autism and psychosis, evidence for a distinct subtype?

https://www.psychiatry.cam.ac.uk/blo...tinct-subtype/

I also wonder whether the rates of serious mental illness is higher in people who aren't diagnosed as autistic until adulthood, compared to those diagnosed when they are children.

[firemonkey]

Originally Posted by Dougella

I also wonder whether the rates of serious mental illness is higher in people who aren't diagnosed as autistic until adulthood, compared to those diagnosed when they are children.

A good question. I honestly don't know. Anecdotally via Twitter those dxed 1st with SMI and later ASD often haven't been treated well by mental health services. That was certainly the case with me.

[Dougella]

^ I can well imagine that!

[john smith]

Recently got diagnosed with autism about 3 weeks ago that came as a surprise.

Said they would send out report and email into for charity resources but received neither so far.

[Pink*Lady]

Had a telephone call with the GP on Monday who went through list of questions and will refer me for an autism assessment.

[Pink*Lady]

^ thanks tubbs.

[Pink*Lady]

I've had a letter today from the company that my GP referred me to for an autism assessment. It states that my GP hasn't provided enough information and a form is attached to the letter stating I need to provide more information. Has anyone else had this?

[Dougella]

^ Does the form have questions on it? Or ask for any specific extra information?

I haven't been through this myself but I have heard that they tend to want quite a lot of evidence before they agree to give someone an assessment, so that might include signs or symptoms that you've discussed with your doctor, any relevent information about difficulties during childhood, any extra information about difficulties you're having now or things that you identify with that have been mentioned are autistic traits.

[Lunar]

I've been looking through this thread as I've been a bit confused and conflicted recently; I've been receiving counselling for my anxiety (amongst other things) and after several failed attempts over a good number of years have finally found someone I feel I have a reasonable rapport with. Anyhow, I have managed to open up quite a bit and have told her a lot of things I have never managed to talk about and overall I think it has helped.
At a recent session she asked me if I had ever thought I may be autistic as she explained from talking to me over the past weeks that she had a suspicion I could be on the spectrum from some of the things I had said. I was a bit surprised at first (although funnily enough it had crossed my mind a couple of years ago and I did the AQ test online - I think I scored 35, but shelved it as like many other people was completely ignorant about ASD and felt sure it didn't apply to me)
Since then, and after much research I feel even more confused than ever. I redid the AQ test still scored 35, also did the raads r test and got 100 but apart from my SA and difficulties with my own emotions and expressing myself I feel I don't have many of the other traits that seem to go along with a diagnosis of ASD. I feel inbetween.
Getting officially diagnosed might also be tricky as both my parents are gone now. I'm in my 50s, have managed to work and have a lovely partner but throughout my life have struggled with friendships both making and keeping them often feeling lonely. I wonder if going through the long diagnosis process would really benefit me at this point? I would worry if I went through it all and then was told no, you don't have it would I feel worse about myself? And if I am on the spectrum but have been hiding or masking it for so long I'm wondering even if I know myself at all? It's exhausting.
Sorry for the long post! I would appreciate any words of wisdom. What made you decide to go ahead with pursuing a diagnosis? Did you recognise ASD in yourself or not until someone else brought it up? Did you feel a diagnosis really helped you make peace with who you are?
Cripes...this is getting a bit deep ha ha. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[Dougella]

^ It sounds like you have a really good counsellor so talking to her more about this, especially as she raised the possibility, seems like a good idea

As far as an assessment goes you can gather information from a sibling if you have any, instead of a parent, or you can also ask your partner if they would mind answering some questions about you, especially if you live together.

Not everyone chooses to go through a formal assessment, some people are happy with just the knowledge that they are most likely on the autistic spectrum and doing their own research on things that may help them or be relevent to them. Also there's no time limit, so if at any point in the future you decide you would like to be formally assessed you can.

[limey123]

I think people are more likely to take you seriously if you get formal diagnosis though (as I did). Otherwise, some folks will always opine, well anyone can self-diagnose.

[Dougella]

^ You don't have to tell anyone of course though if you don't want to, whether you get a diagnosis or not! But obviously for things like work it would be much easier to explain with a diagnosis.

[Lunar]

Thanks guys for your thoughts. I'm still weighing up pros and cons regarding the official diagnosis route - on one hand I think it would make things easier in a social setting to be able to say I definitely have an ASD diagnosis to explain why I'm struggling and as you say Limey123 people would maybe be more likely to accept it (I've only discussed all this with my partner and sister so far and both of them seem a bit sceptical about it! If people close to me take that much convincing I've no chance with other people!). I think I've been so good at hiding everything and found coping strategies whilst all along been an internal mess.
You're right Dougella, there's no time limit and I'm still seeing the counsellor so will take my time thinking it all through. Thanks folks.

[Dougella]

^ Like you say if you've been hiding things and using coping strategies for a long time people may have no clue how you've been feeling underneath. Maybe if you can start to explain some of those things to your sister and your partner they will be able to understand you better, I'm sure your counsellor would be able to support you with doing that too.

[Dougella]

"Are they missing early signs of Autism?"

[firemonkey]

I gave up on that; too much waffling.

[Dougella]

^ Sorry, it wasn't a to the point video. But he did say some interesting things about his one son who has an autism diagnosis and was very "challenging" in the early years of school compared to his younger son who is displaying some of the same signs of autism but in ways that are much less challenging to the teacher and therefor not being flagged up as concerns.

[Amara 94]

Have any of you considered social imagination?

My counsellor and I came to the conclusion that I have difficulties with unstructured communication. Probably why I find when I have to cover the restaurant at work it’s unpleasant if I’m just being a waiter. Also explains why I’m finding my current shift hard, not hard, but anxiety provoking. There is a lunch but I haven’t been told what to do so am kind of doing nothing until the actual lunch.

I have been looking at different videos on autism over the past few days.

[limey123]

^ I find the lack of social imagination one of the biggest hurdles of autism. Often I simply don't know how to start or continue a conversation without using stock phrases or cliches. I tend to rely on others to carry most conversations. Knowing when and how to end the convo is another sticking point.

Lack of general creativity is another big overall problem.