ritacognita
01-18-2007, 12:34 AM
Hi,
I was diagnosed autistic when I was young, but my mom died, and my dad was very absent minded and follow up with treatment, and then he died and I was in foster care from age 13 to 18, and never treated. I went to college but dropped out (several times) and have since been traveling the world.
I have been very confused for a few years now, and I really need help with this.
I have been to various doctors but they have not been helpful or knowledgeable about autism. The forums and articles I have read deal almost exclusively with the treatment of children. As I understand it adults have either learned to cope with it by my age or have someone taking care of them. I don't have either option, so I am wondering what options are available for adults with autism.
Does anyone have some experience with this or suggestions?
I was diagnosed autistic when I was young, but my mom died, and my dad was very absent minded and follow up with treatment, and then he died and I was in foster care from age 13 to 18, and never treated. I went to college but dropped out (several times) and have since been traveling the world.
I have been very confused for a few years now, and I really need help with this.
I have been to various doctors but they have not been helpful or knowledgeable about autism. The forums and articles I have read deal almost exclusively with the treatment of children. As I understand it adults have either learned to cope with it by my age or have someone taking care of them. I don't have either option, so I am wondering what options are available for adults with autism.
Does anyone have some experience with this or suggestions?
Sponsor
Laenini
01-19-2007, 12:31 AM
Are you a US citizen? If so, maybe you should return to the states and settle down for a little bit. Once you do you can get in contact with the Developmental Disabilities Social Services office in the community where you settle. They should be able to help you get on track with a few things I would think.
BetsyAnn
01-19-2007, 01:31 AM
Hi Ritacongnita. Welcome to the board! I don't have any advice, but I would love to learn more about you. I was intrigued by your post.
Willstrideryder
01-19-2007, 03:18 PM
I, too, was intrigued by your post. We would love to help you. Are you in Buenos Aires? Tell us a little more about yourself.
Steph
Steph
smw73
01-23-2007, 01:52 AM
Hi, I've written a fair bit in Healthboards about this subject. Yes, it is true that in the past, Autism was probably regarded mostly as a children's condition. But in the last few years, there has been an increasing awareness of it in adults. Autism can cover quite a range and spectrum. Many adults experience an improvement in social functioning and other symptoms, but it is something which never really stops impacting upon your life.
I was first diagnosed at the age of four or five (this was nearly thirty years ago). At the time, the doctors told my parents that I would eventually grow out of it. My parents were very confused and probably a bit frightened of the diagnosis, so there was no real follow up treatment or intervention. I ended up after my teen years feeling very frustrated and confused. I grew up not even knowing about my diagnosis, and my parents seemed to forget about it. From what they can recall of the doctor's comments, however, I am pretty sure that their diagnosis was Autism. I was rediagnosed in my late twenties. At first I was very upset by all this - that I spent so long not knowing and that it was overlooked. But since then, I've been able to make my peace with it. That was just the state of awareness and the medical health system at that particular time.
Autism can cover quite a range and spectrum. (Have you heard about Asperger's? It may be worth asking a professional if maybe you fit more into that category.) We all have different needs. Many are high functioning and quite independent as adults, but still have a few quirks in their personality which can be identified as part of the condition. Increased understanding and awareness is the key. Autism in adults is a complex topic. I recommend that you stay with this forum, so that you can read the experiences of others - it's a great help and support. Unfortunately, other resources are not that common as yet. This doesn't mean that there's no need for it or interest. I recently read that Autism is one of the most popular search queries on the Internet - somewhere in the top five (at least in my country - Australia).
I have looked in my local library for reading material, but found very little. Hope that some others can provide some helpful suggestions for you. :)
I was first diagnosed at the age of four or five (this was nearly thirty years ago). At the time, the doctors told my parents that I would eventually grow out of it. My parents were very confused and probably a bit frightened of the diagnosis, so there was no real follow up treatment or intervention. I ended up after my teen years feeling very frustrated and confused. I grew up not even knowing about my diagnosis, and my parents seemed to forget about it. From what they can recall of the doctor's comments, however, I am pretty sure that their diagnosis was Autism. I was rediagnosed in my late twenties. At first I was very upset by all this - that I spent so long not knowing and that it was overlooked. But since then, I've been able to make my peace with it. That was just the state of awareness and the medical health system at that particular time.
Autism can cover quite a range and spectrum. (Have you heard about Asperger's? It may be worth asking a professional if maybe you fit more into that category.) We all have different needs. Many are high functioning and quite independent as adults, but still have a few quirks in their personality which can be identified as part of the condition. Increased understanding and awareness is the key. Autism in adults is a complex topic. I recommend that you stay with this forum, so that you can read the experiences of others - it's a great help and support. Unfortunately, other resources are not that common as yet. This doesn't mean that there's no need for it or interest. I recently read that Autism is one of the most popular search queries on the Internet - somewhere in the top five (at least in my country - Australia).
I have looked in my local library for reading material, but found very little. Hope that some others can provide some helpful suggestions for you. :)
Trixibel
02-07-2007, 07:51 PM
Hello. i'm from Australia too.
I'm interested in your story because whenever I read stuff about autism I think it might apply to me. I was a prem baby and for a while when I was two or three my parents thought I might be autistic but went to a specialist who apparently said I wasn't. But the seed of doubt was planted in my mind and my sister believes that I am 'eccentric' and maybe slightly on the scale.
I guess what I'd like to know is how does your autism affect you now? What difficulties does it bring, and are there any good things? I don't think I want to go and get officially diagnosed because I don't know how I'd cope, and my parents would NEVER accept it. I don't think my partner would cope very well either. I have always been very anxious and a bit obsessive. And I've always written - stories, novels, etc. I don't mind being obsessive when I'm obsessed with something fun, but not when it's a bad thing, like my health! I was on zoloft for a while and that helped, but I went off it because I felt numb.
I'd like to hear back from you.
I'm interested in your story because whenever I read stuff about autism I think it might apply to me. I was a prem baby and for a while when I was two or three my parents thought I might be autistic but went to a specialist who apparently said I wasn't. But the seed of doubt was planted in my mind and my sister believes that I am 'eccentric' and maybe slightly on the scale.
I guess what I'd like to know is how does your autism affect you now? What difficulties does it bring, and are there any good things? I don't think I want to go and get officially diagnosed because I don't know how I'd cope, and my parents would NEVER accept it. I don't think my partner would cope very well either. I have always been very anxious and a bit obsessive. And I've always written - stories, novels, etc. I don't mind being obsessive when I'm obsessed with something fun, but not when it's a bad thing, like my health! I was on zoloft for a while and that helped, but I went off it because I felt numb.
I'd like to hear back from you.
iyami
02-07-2007, 10:07 PM
im not quite your age, i am 17, but i am going trhough the same crap. i dont want child-treatmentebcuase im a tad too odl for it to say the least, i never even had a stable home with a stable parent untill.. well ill get backto you when it happens.
i was forced to change and leave schools for helath reasons or moveing homes SO many times no one had time to notice why i was "so weird"
but i dont really know what it is your looking for when you say treatment. do you want medicine? someone to tell you hwo to act normal?
personally i dont really want treatment for Autism, but treatment for all of my Related problems, maybe thats what you mean?
by related problems, i mean immune difficiency, exsema, other allergies, firomyalgia, etc. im always sick sore sleepless overslept or Something. its pretty rediuclous.
i was forced to change and leave schools for helath reasons or moveing homes SO many times no one had time to notice why i was "so weird"
but i dont really know what it is your looking for when you say treatment. do you want medicine? someone to tell you hwo to act normal?
personally i dont really want treatment for Autism, but treatment for all of my Related problems, maybe thats what you mean?
by related problems, i mean immune difficiency, exsema, other allergies, firomyalgia, etc. im always sick sore sleepless overslept or Something. its pretty rediuclous.