The ASD thread (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

[BFG_]

Originally Posted by biscuits

^ that's unlikely to be the case because most people want to work if they can and a diagnosis helps to have adjustments made.

I guess my views are slightly jaded by the areas I work in.

[Dougella]

Originally Posted by BFG_

No, I did it to **** my employer over as they were trying to dismiss me. Soon as they got my diagnosis they backed off as they knew next step would be tribunal.

So your diagnosis allowed you to continue to work with appropriate accommodations. Interesting.

I think you have a somewhat cynical view of people seeking diagnosis. I've never heard anyone go forward with getting assessed because they thought it would mean they could get benefits. Most people seem to have had significant difficulties before having an autism assessment and for kids they usually have to have evidence from school or nursery that there are significant problems and signs that their teachers or other staff have picked up on.

[BFG_]

Originally Posted by Dougella

So your diagnosis allowed you to continue to work with appropriate accommodations. Interesting.

You've got to play the system in life.

[Dougella]

^ I don't see it as playing the system, I just see it as people being able to work in the ways that they need for the conditions that they have. You always sound like you're good at your job, so seems like everyone wins in that scenario to me.

[BFG_]

^ I've discovered that the least important thing in my job is actually doing a good job. As ridiculous as that may seem.

[gregarious_introvert]

Originally Posted by BFG_

I'm mainly on about the huge backlog of autism adhd child diagnosis the nhs is struggling to fulfill.

Points mean prizes there's a lot of very grumpy parents adamant little Johnny is autistic because they get extra cash if he gets his diagnosis.

As for adults being diagnosed I'm sure everyone on here js totally honest and has no intention of taking advantage of the benefit system but it can be done, I'm sure it's not hard once you get your golden ticket.

Being diagnosed with autism does not mean entitlement to PIP. The criteria on which PIP is awarded are based on how one's life is affected, not on any labels or diagnoses. I do receive PIP, but my award was made before I was diagnosed with ASC and I have never mentioned autism on any of my re-assessments.

Sent from my M2010J19CG using Tapatalk

[horseblanket]

Posting this cause it might help others: https://www.ne-as.org.uk/News/charit...-opportunities

[Amara 94]

TIL 85% of college grads affected by autism are unemployed

[Amara 94]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6ijmcJPX9Y

A comment in the video: Looking at pictures of Atta scares the shit out of me. You can tell just by looking at him that he was a very cold-blooded evil person. His eyes also look dead and lifeless as well.

Idk, if it's just me but sometimes when people comment on serial killers/terrorists like this I find it offensive a bit because I know that some autistic people don't express emotion in the same way as allistic people and IO haven't been told I look evil but I have been told on occasion that I never smile or received treatment that implies I am bad. This is usually by someone who isn't close to me.

And then there have been serial killers and criminals who would appear completely normal or charming.

I am actually glad that people challenged the comment because it sometimes seems like a trend where someone would comment on an undesirable trait to our society, being socially awkward, quiet, not showing much emotion and link that to the person committing a horrific crime.

[biscuits]

Originally Posted by Amara 94

TIL 85% of college grads affected by autism are unemployed

I saw similar research in the uk, where only 30% of adults with autism were in employment. I can't remember where I read it now - sorry about that!

Interviews are incredibly challenging. Despite being okay in interviews (because I know how to prepare for them and have developed strategies to painfully push through extreme anxiety) I can't actually imagine going for an interview again! It might be better to hold recruitment days where people spend some time being trained and working and seeing how they get on, rather than a sit down interview.

[Amara 94]

I find holding a job harder, even if I seem to do the job well due to not fitting in with the work team and feeling socially excluded as a result.

I think I need a job environment where I don’t worry about whether or not I fit in.

[biscuits]

^ hope you find a nice place I still can't get over that place where everyone ate together and you and one other person weren't invited. I think about that regularly. For some reason it's really affected me. It's just horrible!

[Amara 94]

^I think it's something that can be brushed off if you don't have the expectations. It's like with work experience at different places I have a bit higher expectations as to what to expect sometimes. I think this video further pushed me to quit. Lots of people commented how it was unfair that the dishwashers didn't get the staff meal.

[biscuits]

They work hard and are a key component of any successful kitchen. Everyone gets it or no one does, imo. Sometimes it comes from "well, I never got x when I was a dishwasher" or the hierarchy of that particular environment.

[BFG_]

Originally Posted by biscuits

I saw similar research in the uk, where only 30% of adults with autism were in employment. I can't remember where I read it now - sorry about that!

.

I've seen the same statistics and I don't think it's true.

Based on my own diagnosis I'd say a lot of people I've known in life would be diagnosed autistic too based on skills related to engineering.

18% of our workforce work in engineering and I'd guess from the majority I've met they're mostly on the spectrum but mostly couldn't give a toss about being given a label as they're too busy making things and being focused on their work to care.

30% of adults with an NHS diagnosis certainly but 30% of all uk autistics, nope not a chance.

If all the autistics suddenly stopped working there'd be no trains, planes or anything remotely technical working, the world would fall apart instantly. All you'd have is a few neurotypicals sat around trying to work out how a wheel works and how to make fire.

[biscuits]

^ yes, the stats can only be from adults who report having a diagnosis.

You're right that a lot of people haven't got a diagnosis in adulthood for various reasons.

But only 30% of people who reported having a diagnosis being in work highlights how hard it can be to get a job and to find a job that is flexible and neuroinclusive.

[Dougella]

Originally Posted by BFG_

I've seen the same statistics and I don't think it's true.

Based on my own diagnosis I'd say a lot of people I've known in life would be diagnosed autistic too based on skills related to engineering.

18% of our workforce work in engineering and I'd guess from the majority I've met they're mostly on the spectrum but mostly couldn't give a toss about being given a label as they're too busy making things and being focused on their work to care.

30% of adults with an NHS diagnosis certainly but 30% of all uk autistics, nope not a chance.

If all the autistics suddenly stopped working there'd be no trains, planes or anything remotely technical working, the world would fall apart instantly. All you'd have is a few neurotypicals sat around trying to work out how a wheel works and how to make fire.

Yes, the thing is there may be many undiagnosed autistic people who are getting on ok in life and have no reason to seek a diagnosis. It's usually when people aren't managing or they come up against real obstacles or they simply have a total breakdown from struggling for a long time that they start to investigate what might be going on with them!

[Sunrise]

What help is actually available once you get a diagnosis?

I've actually head stories about people losing access to mental health services after an autism diagnosis.

Is seeking a diagnosis more about finally putting a name to what is wrong with you? I'm not sure I'd find that helpful. I'm still going to have these difficulties no matter what name you call it. I wouldn't see it as some sort of massive revelation and it wouldn't change how I feel about myself.

[Amara 94]

I haven’t gotten much help

[Sunrise]

I would only want a diagnosis as the first step towards receiving further treatment. What sort of services are people referred to? What sort of therapeutic treatments are available?

The though of getting a diagnosis and being immediately discharged doesn't make sense. So that's it? All I'm getting is a label? I've asked for help and I'm basically being told there's nothing they can do and I just have to accept living such an incredibly dysfunctional existence where I'm constantly overwhelmed? Couldn't they at least give me the telephone number for Dignitas?

I don't have a "superpower". I can't think of any way I've benefitted from being who I am. I don't have any special talents or a specialist subject I excel at. I can't relate to any of the positive things people on the spectrum talk about, I just suck at being normal.

[Dougella]

^ I don't think there are specific therapeutic treatments for autism, more for things that might go alongside it like anxiety and depression and other mental health disorders. It might be worth looking at the National Autistic Society website for more accurate information though.

https://www.autism.org.uk/

Having a diagnosis can help you with accessing workplace adjustments and things like that. In some places there are post diagnosis groups available to go to, but it's all a bit patchy it seems.

(Not all autistic people have a "superpower", in fact I think most people who have a diagnosis would probably say they don't. We know you have skills and talents though, you designed the SAUK logo!)

[horseblanket]

Sounds like emotional unstable personality disorder, the whole discharge you as soon as they give you the label ..... Sigh

Originally Posted by Sunrise

I would only want a diagnosis as the first step towards receiving further treatment. What sort of services are people referred to? What sort of therapeutic treatments are available?

The though of getting a diagnosis and being immediately discharged doesn't make sense. So that's it? All I'm getting is a label? I've asked for help and I'm basically being told there's nothing they can do and I just have to accept living such an incredibly dysfunctional existence where I'm constantly overwhelmed? Couldn't they at least give me the telephone number for Dignitas?

I don't have a "superpower". I can't think of any way I've benefitted from being who I am. I don't have any special talents or a specialist subject I excel at. I can't relate to any of the positive things people on the spectrum talk about, I just suck at being normal.

[Amara 94]

A sad truth

https://www.reddit.com/r/NEET/commen...ikely_because/

[BFG_]

^ bollocks to that I'm autistic and I'm great.

Plus I've done well in life so ya boo sucks to that miserable theory.

There's just as many unsuccessful neurotypicals in life.

[Dougella]

^ There are a lot of very successful autistic people! Obviously the stereotype is a lot of them are engineers and scientists but also I read that one of the most common occupations for autistic people is medicine (make of that what is you will!)

[Dougella]

Originally Posted by Amara 94

A sad truth

https://www.reddit.com/r/NEET/commen...ikely_because/

That just seems to be a person's negative opinion, which doesn't make it truth. It's a bit odd to say that representations of autistic people in the media are losers as one of the most well known ones is Sheldon Cooper, a highly successful scientist with a group of friends and a girlfriend.

[Sunrise]

I'm not exactly a fan of his, but Elon Musk seems to have done pretty well for himself.

[Amara 94]

Originally Posted by Dougella

^ There are a lot of very successful autistic people! Obviously the stereotype is a lot of them are engineers and scientists but also I read that one of the most common occupations for autistic people is medicine (make of that what is you will!)

True, I was just feeling negative. I just remembered yesterday night I was watching a video of a 45 year old who lives with his mum but studied aeroplane mechanics and I think worked in the industry but couldn’t anymore due to drug issues. Some people suspected he might be autistic and one person replied with surprise how he wasnt and rather lazy and selfish since he had an ex-wife, kids and studied aircraft mechanics.

I was actually irritated and responded how there are a lot of autistic engineers because that felt patronising.

I think there is some truth in the post though but it’s just one side to autism and there are autistic people who are also successful.

[Dougella]

^ It's not really fair to call autistic people who struggle in life losers either.

[Dougella]

Originally Posted by Sunrise

I'm not exactly a fan of his, but Elon Musk seems to have done pretty well for himself.

Yep and Bill Gates.