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Original poster

Are You Autistic, Channel 4, 10pm, Uk.

114 replies

staydazzling · 28/03/2018 20:56

starting a thread ,apologies if there already is one, looks to be an interesting watch...i think its mainly about how many adults could be living with ASD undiagnosed.

OP posts:
Original poster
staydazzling · 28/03/2018 22:27

anybody watching

OP posts:
SansaClegane · 28/03/2018 22:31

Yes me. Really like it so far.

WishingOnABar · 28/03/2018 22:36

Yes, ds has autism and since his diagnosis I have increasingly come to the realisation I am likely to also have it undiagnosed. Watching the four women masking in conversation really brings it home to me, but I still cannot decide if there would be any benefit to me to seek an actual diagnosis given that I function fairly well atm.

MsMalcontent · 28/03/2018 22:40

Surprised so few comments! I think this is me which is why I am watching. Trying to keep an open mind but it's just making me more sure. I'm not sure the benefit of pursuing a diagnosis though other than for my own peace of mind.

SansaClegane · 28/03/2018 22:40

That sounds like me Wishing, especially when you consider a diagnosis might take years and be a PITA to get.
I am coping reasonably well but I do tend to have meltdowns towards the end of the day and sometimes my DC are at the receiving end. I feel ashamed afterwards and like a shit mum, but can't seem to change it.
I'm not sure if there is any help anyway, even if you are diagnosed, for adults.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 28/03/2018 22:42

I’m watching too.

littlepill · 28/03/2018 22:44

I am overwhelmed! It is too true to my life. I wish I could share more but cannot without outing self. It has been a long journey. I mourn myself Sindhis but can’t explain how.

One issue I have is with “you can’t be a little bit autistic”. Surely this goes against the spectrum idea?

I think the NHS should offer counselling for later-diagnosed women. We are grieving a childhood lost. Many of us are caring for parents with the same condition. Looking after DCs on spectrum. Working in the area. It is shit.

littlepill · 28/03/2018 22:44

Sindhis?! Somehow!

SansaClegane · 28/03/2018 22:47

littlepill I think it's more about "oh well we're all somewhere on the spectrum aren't we?" bollocks. You're either autistic or neurotypical; there's no such thing as mild autism. However there are of course huge differences in how people with autism present and how well they can function in normal life.

Wh0KnowsWhereTheT1meG0es · 28/03/2018 22:48

I'm finding it fascinating, I don't feel I am autistic although I have sone traits but my DS is and I have a friend who is starting to feel her teen DD is too.

WishingOnABar · 28/03/2018 22:48

SansaClegane from my pov I think my understanding of how ds feels is why he copes so well, I am very good at managing stress triggers and because I also actively avoid busy or loud places myself he is rarely forced into uncomfortable situations. I’d personally rather be at home most of the time and ds is the same. I like everything planned and to routine anyway so there is rarely disruption to him. You are right though that any meltdowns can affect them, I am blessed that when I need a little me time my mum will come and take him for a few hours so I can calm down. Do you have a quiet space you can go to when you are overwhelmed?

littlepill · 28/03/2018 22:49

I thought the prog made that particular point well, but then contradicted itself through that statement.

I have to say for an autistic, this prog is shit to watch: repetition of facts, crappy adverts, moves slowly.

Fuckers!

NorbertTheDragon · 28/03/2018 22:54

I'm watching it too. 2 diagnosed children, now pretty sure I have it too.

The sandwich making one made me stressed just watching it! I'd have had trouble taking the phone call tbh, let alone the rest of it!

The masking thing is so true, I can do really well socially now I'm older! As a kid/teenager I was bloody awful, which is why I rarely went out, or had friends.

I'd love to get a diagnosis but - phone call to doctor and having to explain to them, and thinking that they'd think I'm stupid for thinking I have autism. And then having to explain it all again to someone else, a new person, a stranger. It's too scary.

SansaClegane · 28/03/2018 22:55

I try to, Wishing, usually by hiding in the bathroom Grin but I have three DS (youngest has been recently flagged up by preschool as possibly having ASD) and they usually go crazy / shouty / loud and bouncing off the walls in the early evening before bedtime; and after a long day at work and then school run etc sometimes it is just too much for me. I'm a single parent so there's no escape so to speak.
In my early twenties I've been diagnosed with several anxiety disorders and depression, and received treatment for those, but I think I've probably got Aspergers and those disorders are side effects of my ASD.

MsMalcontent · 28/03/2018 22:55

The sandwich making one made me stressed just watching it! I'd have had trouble taking the phone call tbh, let alone the rest of it!

I was going to say exactly that!

MsMalcontent · 28/03/2018 22:57

Can someone tell me what is the difference between autism and Aspergers?

FantasyAndHope · 28/03/2018 22:58

After watching this I do suspect dd who is 19 has it she certainly seems to have the traits what are being discussed

WishingOnABar · 28/03/2018 22:59

Bless you I am also a lone parent to 1 and it is tough, 3 must be exceptionally difficult. You are doing an amazing job, maybe a diagnosis would help by getting family and friends to recognise you need some support?

MsMalcontent · 28/03/2018 23:05

That was such an interesting programme but I have so many questions I want to ask. I'm 100% behind social masking - that's me to a t. They touched earlier on anxiety attacks and I'd like to know more about that. Sensory overload - yep, I have to come home and sit in a dark room after a night out, even when I have guests I need to have "down time" after they leave. I often bolt from events because I find small talk so painful. I just have nothing to contribute. I've felt different from a young age - I remember being at my cousin's and my sister was playing with them and I was sat stroking the dog, I overheard my aunt asking my dad if I was ok and he said it was ok, I was just a loner. It wasn't that I wanted to be alone I just didn't know what was expected of me with the play - I didn't know how to interact, what I was supposed to do. That's still me in social settings now.

PickAChew · 28/03/2018 23:05

Probably the best program I've seen about autism.

I'd have had a stroo and told them to make their mind up about the sandwiches. At least my autistic boys are wonderfully predictable in their sandwich choices and don't change their fucking minds just to piss me off!!!

MsMalcontent · 28/03/2018 23:08

Oh crap, just had to delete another long post because I'm feeling overloaded now. Going to leave this post for a bit.
Anyone else feeling like that?

violet0805 · 28/03/2018 23:13

2 of my 3 children are diagnosed with ASD, both completely different ends of the spectrum though. I always 'joke' that I'm on the spectrum as I have some funny ways...
I know I have autistic traits

littlepill · 28/03/2018 23:15

YES! msmalc it is a huge failing that women with ASD will find this tough BY DEFINITION!!!! WTF?! Why did nobody think of this?!? I am cross

PissMinge · 28/03/2018 23:20

As a NT, i thought it was mostly very empathetic and respectful, particularly Anna Richardson. The autistic women presenting were fab and such good role models for teen girls facing life after diagnosis. The diagnosis 'crisis' is shocking; it wouldnt be tolerated in cancer cases and should be equally important for autism since it affects a person's life so massively

Dancinggoat · 28/03/2018 23:33

I thought they no longer diagnosed Aspergers, that it all came under autism.
It's fantastic that they are now including sensory issues in the diagnosis. I haven't worked with a person with autism that hasn't had a sensory issue of some sort.
What a brilliant programme to raise awareness so positively.