Adult dd diagnosed on ASD & Aspergers

[sheepwithoneear]

I will start by apologising if I get the terminology incorrect this is all very new to me and I’m trying to learn quick.

Dd aged 21 has just been diagnosed as on the Autism Spectrum and also has Aspergers.

A few months ago prior to diagnosis she started living independently, works part time and is also doing a part time HND.

Her main struggles are with communication and can she only focus on one task at a time or becomes very overwhelmed. She also struggles with friendships and self care.

I want to help her access any support and help open to her but really not sure where to start - google is bringing me up help for younger children.

We are in Northern Ireland.

My DS has recently been diagnosed with ASD. (Autistic Spectrum Disorder). He is high functioning, which is, I think (but may be wrong as this is new to me too!) is what they used to call Aspergers.

My understanding of Aspergers is it's a term that's not much used these days and it's what they now call high functioning Autism - it's not something different or additional to autism, it's basically a way of saying your DD is autistic, but high functioning.

We're also finding our way for where you can get support from. So far we've found the National Autistic Society very helpful. They have a helpline, so you can ring them with questions such as where to get support for high functioning adults in NI, and asking what Aspergers means. www.autism.org.uk/

Thank you wakeme.
I have asked to see the report - This is the problem with dd being an adult these things are not automatically shared with the parent - so I am relying on her giving me the information hence the confusion with terminology.
Much more reading required on my part.

On the autistic spectrum and also has aspergers?

Sorry posted too soon.

I'm as confused as you are OP. Aspergers is very much an outdated term in my local area. NHS stopped using it about 7/8 years ago and it was just ASD. Which covers the whole manner of variations across the spectrum.

I don't know specifically about NI, but generally getting any kind of help at all as an adult with HFA is pretty much non existant for the most part.

In terms of self care/routine, I find having an organisational app (cozi) helps that does notifications on my phone, it takes a while to set up but mine now has everything on from brush my teeth on to when to wash dishes type thing, would something like that help?

Has she told her college about her diagnosis? Hopefully they should be supportive and she may be able to access some extra help through them.

I went to uni with a high functioning autistic woman, she was well supported by the uni, and knowing her diagnosis was helpful as people made allowances for her quirks. I remember the way her mind worked differently meant she sometimes made some really interesting contributions that I reckon no one else would have thought of. She got a 2:1 IIRC.

DS friend is similar

I batch cook for him
DS has downloaded banking apps to keep track of bills etc
College are aware and help with organisational skills
He’s know to adult SS who check on him and male sure he’s ok
They also organised Christmas meal for those on their own - and gave out the rest of the food to take home, plus some useful gifts etc

There is help out there

There is a great support group on Facebook for parents called Asd Support Group Northern Ireland. You can find out lots of information there or even post for more specific responses.

Thanks for the replies
I am thinking the Aspergers bit is her clumsy way of explaining to me - when she was around 8-10 our then neighbour had a teenage son with Aspergers so I was aware of his diagnosis and traits - I’m wondering if this was what she was meaning to put across - I have ASD but it a bit like Tom was??
I will have a proper chat with her when she home from work.

The app sounds good she is a tech geek (her words) so that could be a good way to go - it’s for the little things like brush hair, use deodorant etc.
College is top of my list to speak to when they re- open - diagnosis only happened Yesterday.

Green tulips thank you batch cooking is a good idea for now we are looking after her bill paying - but the banking apps could help her with her day to day spending
Gerty I will look at that page now.

so that could be a good way to go - it’s for the little things like brush hair, use deodorant etc.
I use it for everything including that (also have aspergers or HFA as it's known now) this is my teeth/face cream alert.

In terms of banking apps, I find a good bank for organisation is monzo, it breaks down what you've spent x amount on food and makes it easier to keep track, if she's into technology apps probably the way forward, now I've spent the time setting them up they keep me organised and avoid any meltdowns, life saver for me.

She can follow the girl with the curly hair on facebook. Theres also a thread on mn will see if i can find it.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnetters_with_sn/2954319-Neurodiversity-support-thread-for-women-with-suspected-diagnosed-or-self-diagnosed-autism-ADHD-and-other-NDs-18

That’s what my DD found useful at uni, wakeme Reasonable accommodations and more tolerance by others of differences. As for the HFA/ASC/Asperger’s...for me it’s up to the individual to choose. DD ids as autistic, diagnosed as an adult. DS says he’s been an Aspie for more than 2 decades and he’s not changing labels now, he likes the one he’s got.
We’ve found understanding stuff and developing individual strategies the most useful way forwards, although DD found CBT useful.

Thank you all really do appreciate all the advice here I want to be her steady rock and help her as much as she wants me to.