From what I remember Scotland is actually better off with services than the rest of the UK.
http://www.autism-in-scotland.org.uk/con...oups.shtml
Maybe one of these could help, if you can Email one of them closer to you they might be able to give you a better idea what there is available locally.
I think this site is one of those sites which is the most informative about AS, under discussions many truths appears which does not appear when some philosophying researcher say what he/she thinks about autism.
I like in the UK, Scotland to be a little more accurate.
I've always been different from the norm when it came to areas such as socialising and behaviour. In recent years (I'm now 29) as I've left structured education this has become more pronounced.
Having read about AS in a newspaper I've looked into it more as some of the characteristics of people diagnosed with AS matched how I would describe myself. I've taken some tests online and all of them have suggested that I may have AS, for example my results from the Aspie Quiz were:
Your Aspie score: 143 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 57 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie
My predicament is that I really do not know what to do next. Should I go to my local GP and explain how I've been feeling and what I think may be wrong? Should I bring up the subject with my parents first and see their views?
My worry is from reading these forums that parents are likely to laugh it off as some kind of excuse, whilst doctors do not seem to have a good understanding of AS. Is there some other route I should go down?
Your help would be appreciated.
You're almost 30, you don't need your parents' permission. You should talk to your GP about what you're going through.
You're almost 30, you don't need your parents' permission. You should talk to your GP about what you're going through.
Well, like some other people on this forum that I've read posts from I live with my parents still. That's a small part of what makes me think I might have AS in that I've never remotely wanted to be out there, socialising, going to parties, clubbing etc. It's not something that I have enjoyed when I've had to do it and have felt awkward and uncomfortable doing so.
You might be lucky and see a GP like I did who picks up signs of AS in you. She noted that I was very awkward around her and couldn't look at her when answering questions, etc. This was two months ago. I am 30 and live at home, it's not a problem. I have learnt a few things recently. Mainly that anxiety and depression tests are irrelevant to people like me and that OCD and GAD rather than being a problem are just built into my personality. Some people here seem to struggle to get AS recognised in themselves which seems to be down to a shortage of informed GP's. I'm lucky my GP is helping me towards a diagnosis. I have still yet to inform my parents.
You're almost 30, you don't need your parents' permission. You should talk to your GP about what you're going through.
A lot of places will only diagnose with parents' cooperation though, because AS is a developmental issue and as such they need to know about people's childhoods and development. They can't just diagnose someone with AS even though as a kid they showed not even a hint of autistic traits and were a social butterfly who only developed AS type problems when social phobia hit in their teens for example.
Similarly, self reports of just how many friends you had etc. might be hugely off (some people with AS will say they have lots of friends but then parents are asked and it turns out those are just people whose names you know for example).
This is true for me. I have to take a parent. My mum will be my choice because she spent most time with me pre- age 7. My Dad probably wouldn't and doesn't now care if I had friends or not. He was quite harsh with me and used to make me sit on my hands so I wouldn't fiddle with myself ( mouth, face, hair, etc. ). In reality its amazing the three of us still live together.
I told my mother today. I just gave her the letters from my Doctor. She said she would attend the assessment in Cambridge. I don't know how she feels, she was just going out for the day. She asked me a few questions but I told her it was best she didn't look it up that way, given my age, it wouldn't change her views of my behaviour as a child, so we will see what happens next.
I talked to the doc who dx my son and she referred me to the Scottish Society for Autism. Our branch is pretty good though so I'm not sure whether what they did for me is standard practice or more to do with the staff at that branch; I have a feeling it's the latter.
Well I went to the GP, explained how I was feeling and about me, that I'd taken some online tests, spoken to the National Autism Society and suspected I had AS. His point of view was that an official diagnosis wasn't necessary as "labels" aren't helpful, but agreed that it was likely I fell under the classification of AS. I can't say he was a significant help in anyway, but he's offered to put me in touch with people who might be able to help.
You don't say how old you are. For me all this AS thing is about is learning why the past happened as it did and looking for ways the future maybe easier. I don't want a label, just a better understanding of myself.
Well I went to the GP, explained how I was feeling and about me, that I'd taken some online tests, spoken to the National Autism Society and suspected I had AS. His point of view was that an official diagnosis wasn't necessary as "labels" aren't helpful, but agreed that it was likely I fell under the classification of AS. I can't say he was a significant help in anyway, but he's offered to put me in touch with people who might be able to help.
Either get another GP or get in touch with a local group (there are a few in your area as I posted before) and ask for specialists there, then demand a referral. It's great that he agrees but hey it's no use to you, right?
Makes me feel really lucky that the Locum GP I saw in Dec 2006, picked AS up in me straight away. I agree look to different doctors for referal. But be ready for a long wait.
Makes me feel really lucky that the Locum GP I saw in Dec 2006, picked AS up in me straight away. I agree look to different doctors for referal. But be ready for a long wait.
I am going to do the same thing.
I will let you know how it goes.
Keep in touch, BTW, and let me know how your assessment goes.
Please do not expect a GP to recognise AS though, very few do (even our local consultant psychiatrist does not 'believe' in ADD and AS in adults!). I'm not sure if that is what you meant but just in case, don't expect them to. Ask for a referral but your average GP often can't even spot autism in a toddler so don't take it the wrong way if they question your reasons for approaching them (it's what they do unfortunately).
You really might be better off writing (email) to local AS and autism support groups and asking them for details of diagnosticians, then approaching the diagnostician directly to ask what you need for a referral.
Please do not expect a GP to recognise AS though, very few do (even our local consultant psychiatrist does not 'believe' in ADD and AS in adults!).
Why the pervasive skepticism in the "GP community"?
Maybe since it's not their field, they are dismissive of such things? That seems a silly reason to be skeptical--just waving something off because you don't know much about it--but I wonder if it's true.
Well the consultant shrink isn't a GP but with GPs a lot has to do with lack of knowledge, and I do think you are spot on - they don't know much about it, they only know stereotypes or they know Kanner autism etc. or the stereotypical ADHD kid bouncing off the wall so an adult can't have that. 
Good luck!
Please do not expect a GP to recognise AS though, very few do (even our local consultant psychiatrist does not 'believe' in ADD and AS in adults!).
Why the pervasive skepticism in the "GP community"?
Maybe since it's not their field, they are dismissive of such things? That seems a silly reason to be skeptical--just waving something off because you don't know much about it--but I wonder if it's true.
It's all too true where I live. 