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Many people did not know about the autism spectrum before their diagnosis and most people were given little information on autism when they received the diagnosis. The information they were given was about local support groups but many people had done their own research and reading. Here we look at the kind of information people found helpful and there is a list of recommendations in Information and Resources.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Information on autism >> Information on autism

Many people did not know about the autism spectrum before their diagnosis and most people were given little information on autism when they received the diagnosis. The information they were given was about local support groups but many people had done their own research and reading. Here we look at the kind of information people found helpful and there is a list of recommendations in Information and Resources.

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Support groups

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Support groups

• Clip
• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Peter and Myrtle - Interview 03 >> Peter read a leaflet at the doctor’s surgery and found that 90% of the symptoms described fitted him.

Despite some difficult times, Myrtle describes being incredibly fond of her husband and, when she was in ill health for a number of years, Peter looked after her like ‘an angel’. Peter was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 80. He is having counseling which is helping him to become more aware of the extremes of his behaviour and to control his temper.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Richard and Sue - Interview 10 >> Having seen a psychiatrist who did not make the diagnosis Richard and Sue did their own research and managed to get an out of area referral to a speci

Richard was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome seven years ago after being referred to a specialist diagnostic centre. He is working hard to change aspects of his behaviour for his wife and family.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Luke - Interview 35 >> Luke thinks after “the first baby steps” he found his own ways and strategies and has now stopped reading about Asperger syndrome.

Luke was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was eight years old. He has written three books and is a keen photographer.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Steve - Interview 37 >> Steven thinks there is a lack of knowledge about autism in schools and recommends some books he’s found useful.

Steve and his son have been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Steve is studying for a degree in autism using distance learning and has heightened sensory sensitivities and some OCD traits.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> James - Interview 49 >> James felt very bad about himself when he was diagnosed during secondary school. He said it was “soul destroying” to find out he was disabled.

James was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. After spending some time in a psychiatric ward, James went to a specialist unit on the site of a mainstream school and is now in his third year studying psychology at university.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> James - Interview 49 >> The educational psychologist didn't think James would go to university.

James was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. After spending some time in a psychiatric ward, James went to a specialist unit on the site of a mainstream school and is now in his third year studying psychology at university.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> James - Interview 49 >> James would like more books that say “yes, actually, it’s okay” and talk about more positive stories.

James was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. After spending some time in a psychiatric ward, James went to a specialist unit on the site of a mainstream school and is now in his third year studying psychology at university.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> James - Interview 49 >> James has found self help books more useful than books written about autism.

James was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. After spending some time in a psychiatric ward, James went to a specialist unit on the site of a mainstream school and is now in his third year studying psychology at university.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Peter - Interview 50 >> Peter knew nothing about Asperger syndrome when he was diagnosed so his first concern was “was I going to die from it or something”.

Peter, aged 33, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome three years ago. He is seeing a psychologist regularly which helps him with depression and he is finding life is getting easier over time.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Laurie - Interview 53 >> Laurie followed “step by step” the recommendations on the NAS website.

Laurie, 46, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 44. She is starting a university course in journalism and works part time as a market researcher.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women in employment/education: >> Laurie - Interview 53 >> Laurie recommends a book ‘Pretending to be Normal’ that was “like finding a diamond in the dust”.

Laurie, 46, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 44. She is starting a university course in journalism and works part time as a market researcher.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Neil and Catherine - Interview 55 >> Catherine was worried before getting the diagnosis but mostly she felt relief at no longer having to see doctors.

Catherine, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 23. She works part time as a volunteer gardener.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Mark - Interview 58 >> Mark thinks that most books about autism are completely useless and are aimed at “middle class women dealing with their ten year olds”.

Mark, 27, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 26. He is returning to university to study economics and accountancy.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Vicky - Interview 38 >> Vicky has read a lot about autism but thinks there is no one answer.

Vicky was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 33. She lives independently and has a good social life and supportive family but has found it difficult to get employment.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men in employment/education >> Damian – Interview 03b >> Damian suspected his son was autistic then realised the reading he was doing related to himself. He found autobiographies were more helpful than diagn

Damian was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome a year ago. He is well educated with a degree, Master’s degree and a PGCE, and is now studying for a PhD. Damian lives with his son, 7, who has classic autism.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Mary – Interview 01b >> Mary was afraid she might have a personality disorder. When she realised she might have Asperger syndrome she read everything she could about it.

After researching various conditions on the internet, Mary was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 21. She also has OCD and experiences anxieties.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Russell – Interview 07b >> Russell mimics people from books so avoids reading them. He doesn’t feel the NAS represents people as they would want to be represented.

Russell was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 12 years old. His awareness of potential difficulties is increasing as he grows older and more aware. Russell describes himself as being prone to outbursts and is taking anti-depressants.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Women not in paid employment/education >> Alex – Interview 04b >> Alex recommends some books but thinks that whether people will enjoy the books depends on where they are on the spectrum.

Alex was diagnosed with classic autism aged three years old. She lives independently in an adapted house, with some care assistance. A few years ago she was injured in a road accident and, as a result, now has epilepsy.

• Autism >> Life on the Autism spectrum >> Men not in employment/education >> Simon – Interview 16b >> Simon likes Wikipedia and also found reading the Beano helpful when he was younger because the characters’ expressions where highlighted.

Simon, aged 22 was diagnosed with autism when he was 5 years old. He has developed his own strategies to cope during social situations. Simon is interested in animals and aims to find employment in this area. Simon does talks on autism to help people to understand.