r/autismUK

hello! diagnosed autistic here since last year. 16f here.

i currently live with both my parents and my older sister. we currently live in a third story council flat with 2 bedrooms. me and sister shared up until she went to university, but now she's back it's caused issues. she has had to move into our living room because i cannot handle not having a space to myself. the flat is relatively small anyway, and i couldn't cope with having nowhere to myself. she is 20, so almost two adults sharing a very small room.

my question is, would i have adequate means to join the social housing register in a few years? my family are low income anyway so even if I get a job i don't think I'll be able to afford to move out normally for the first ten years of me working. i cannot live here for the rest of my life

it is too crowded and incredibly overwhelming when everyone is here. my only issue is that i am high functioning, and don't often 'appear' autistic to the average person. i am worried they will not see this as sufficient evidence to be able to join. any advice?

(wasn't sure what flair to use)

I can think of a few times when I just couldn't stand being in a situation and wonder if it's an autistic trait of something I need to just get over.

I never play games, particularly board games, or do anything social. But when the family decided to play laser tag, I thought I'd make an exception. How hard can it be? You wander around 'shooting' stuff. After a couple of minutes I felt my heart sink. Is this it? I understand the rules - anyone over the age of 4 can get this! - but I just didn't get it. You just wander around, pulling a trigger and get points? I walked out, went to the bathroom and bawled my eyes out. I've thought about this for months, and think it's to do with feeling odd. Everyone else is having a great time, why can't I? It made me feel more of an outsider and strange than ever.

I get this feeling when I happen to be watching football (I hate sport!) and everyone else in the room is shouting, getting excited. I feel nothing.

Now, at a concert, I'm having a BLAST! Jumping up and down, shouting out, losing my voice. I ReAlLy get into it!

The other thing that gets to me is music I don't like. Honestly, I get muscle aches, almost twitches, and cannot stand being in a room with certain kinds of music that I can't stand. I'm a musician, and think I like a reasonable variety, but some genres and styles just make me want to scream!

So is this just an intolerance, or an autistic trait? Anyone else have these extreme reactions to things they don't like?

Hello! I've just got a new job and HR wants me to apply for Access To Work, something I've been meaning to do for years but so far have been too AuDHD to manage. I would like to hear people's experiences applying for it, what to expect with timescales and what you asked for vs. what you got, any tips, dos/don'ts etc. I know it can be quite similar to PIP in the way that you have to phrase requests very carefully otherwise they'll deny things.

Some more info: I'm lucky enough to wfh full time so that covers many of my adjustment needs, and in my old job I had a cobbled together system of support where they found a bit of funding for me to occasionally see an AuDHD coach. My disabilities are more complex than just AuDHD, including some energy limiting chronic illnesses, so I found that really the main thing I need adjustment wise is a meeting once a month or so with my coach who helps keep me on track with how overwhelming working a corporate job can be. Everything I've read about Access to Work suggests they only fund a set number of sessions with job coaches, if at all, and they might have to be with a specific company rather than someone I choose. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has secured funding beyond e.g. 12 sessions and if you got to choose your own coach.

I made a referral to OwlCentre through my GP all the way back in 2024. However, earlier today (about an hour ago) I finally received an email stating that my referral has been "successfully received and reviewed by our administrative team."

Does anyone know how much longer I'll probably need to wait for an assessment (and inevitable diagnoses)? I'm honestly shocked it's taken so long for an assessment that will probably be decided on within less than 5 minutes of meeting the clinician.

Hello,

I have my ADOS and ADI-R assessment next week with clinical partners and im really nervous! I also looked at the prepare part and it says something about having a few objects to hand. I'm quite frankly bewildered, lost and confused and no idea what items. It says everyday items but to me that's a toaster, kettle etc 😭 help!

My son is 9 years old but struggles to know when he needs to go to the bathroom. I have to enforce bathroom time after each meal but there are times when he has accidents in school, or when around other children. I'm really terrified about how he will be treated as he gets older in school. He is in mainstream , he is a bright articulate boy with ASD 1 and ADHD. He has been tested for irritable bowel but it's not that. It's like he can't sense it coming.

Has anyone been through this , or have any tips about how to educate him about it. He is very resistant to me helping him and although he feels bad when accidents happen, he doesn't have the focus or interest to try to learn how to prevent it.

I've been off work for almost 3 months for burnout. Just got my autism diagnosis (paperwork and whatnot in about 4 weeks).

I'm due back to work in around 3 weeks. I'm hoping to add 4 weeks on so I can figure something out and get everything in place...

Anyways the issue is that where I work I can't see any way to make adjustments.

I work in a fast paced, loud, busy, bright and demanding role.

There are 3 jobs - Baking. Production. Service.

My main role is service so I'll start there. We are expected to serve each customer in a couple mins and often it is very very busy. I'm often moving so fast I shake and feel dizzy. The lights are stupidly bright and it's very loud. Before I went off it was overwhelming.... I don't think I could do it now.

Baking. Requires physical effort and memory plus keeping up with demand. There is more control as not customer facing but environment is the same.

Production I can see the most flexibility. You work alone upstairs so that reduces noise/people. And you could make adjustments there. However production has targets that I consistently don't meet (have been told off many times for being slow) also it requires getting up at 5am which I don't think I can do anymore.

So basically.... If I go back I'd have to sacrifice myself and any progress I've made. Just the idea of going back into that environment is stressing me out.

I am going to have to try and see if benefits are an option or something because going back there will kill me. I keep burning out every 3 years (been there 6) and this is my 2nd full burnout. I can't cope there.

I want to get another job but I suck at interviews as it is but at the moment I don't have the ability to do them...if I could even get one.

It's just frustrating because I'm scared of what this means. Going back means paying bills and being ok but also would mean I'd collapse.

Lots to think about and try and figure out....

Just got a job with a company as a home delivery driver and its been good so far. Still training and was issued uniform last week. Everything is good apart from the trousers. The trousers they use are a cargo/work style which is fine but its 65% polyester 35% cotton. It feels absolutely fucking awful. Its scratchy on my skin, my legs feel hot and its so tight and stiff. It just feels alien. While my other own bought cargos are 98% cotton and they feel perfect. I have not had a fabric sensitivity issue like this since I was a kid when I'd rip all the labels out of my underwear lmao.

Does anyone else struggle with polyester clothes?

I have just bought a pair of cargo in a similar colour to the issued trousers just slightly lighter. I don't think anyone will notice but if they do I will mention autism and material hypersensitivity issues I have with the issues trousers. I just worry about rocking the boat since this is the best company I have worked for so far and I do not want to fuck it up.

I was recently diagnosed in Northern Ireland with ASD. I've received my summary letter but am I correct in thinking that I should get a more detailed report? I was diagnosed in December of 2025 and I know the resources are lacking here but I'm curious if this is something I'll actually receive and if so, how long will it take?

I wanted to share my experience and see if anyone has gone through something similar. Over a year ago, I received 7 copyright strikes (around the same short time) that ultimately lead to my YouTube account being terminated. At the time I believed a YouTube copyright message meant certain uses were permitted and I misunderstood the rules.

I’m not seeking to become a creator again. My goal is to simply be allowed back as a regular user for basic Youtube features and to participate in the community.

I’ve explained my story in full detail with evidence in the Twitter link - https://x.com/marktonna1/status/2069400624739795071?s=46

However, I understand that not everyone may feel comfortable using a link so I've made a short video that quickly shows the Main tweet and replies I made along with documented evidence.

https://reddit.com/link/1v4ngi0/video/rgjpl4coi8fh1/player

Daughter was referred for an autism assessment over one year ago, the child autism assessment provider in my area is the Owl Centre (this is NHS, not RTC).

I got confirmation of the referral shortly after it was received, since then I’ve only got periodic emails stating my daughter was still on the waiting list.

Today I received an email asking me to fill out a short and generic consent questionnaire. After filling it out I received another. In total I’ve filled out four short questionnaires this morning just asking for my consent to information being shared, checking I have a device to do the online assessment, asking about my daughter’s communication needs etc.

I’m wondering if this is a sign that the assessment will take place soon?

Hi all,

Something I finding incredibly challenging is having people in my house/ space - I like my routine and things being accessible as I find it calming to jump between things as I work from home the majority of time.

Admittedly, I am in the lucky position to be able to afford to have work completed on our recently purchased house (albeit at the expense of a hefty home owners loan after our roof collapsed earlier this year), so we have trades people in working on different aspects of the house.

I tend to isolate myself in one room with the cats (both indoors), however I really struggle with knowing what to do / say in these scenarios. I find myself pacing around the house, sweaty profusely and trying to figure out how to behave. I often am on the verge of a meltdown throughout the day, being pulled back and forth between work and facilitating things they might need access to. I'm sensitive to the sounds and social interactions primarily.

Does anybody have any advice when you have tradespeople in the house? We are very selective, they are nice people and generally, very respectful - I'm reticent to state 'Hi I'm CaffeineandHatred Mr. Plumber, nice to meet you, by the way, I'm AuDHD' - however any advice on self management would be grand.

Thanks again folks.

I've just been asking Gemini about this and they said

"Frustration around private or self-diagnosed autism often stems from long NHS waiting lists, perceived privilege in bypassing the system, and concerns over validity. While public health routes face massive delays, private assessments offer faster answers for a fee, creating a complex debate over equity, gatekeeping, and the validity of non-NHS care."

I'm not trying to be antagonising, but most services in the UK won't accept private diagnoses. I read here a lot about how stressful their diagnosis was, and I think it's mostly private diagnoses. It's a hell of a lot worse on the NHS and I just don't know how it's comparable?

I was on a waiting list for 2 years and had to wait for CBT before they told me it wouldn't work for me and then had four suicide attempts before I got assessed?

Hi,

Im 35M, diagnosed but also have a history of pretty severe childhood abuse but have pretty low support needs generally but at the moment im struggling.

Everything feels like herculean levels of effort.

I have headaches and stomach issues almost constantly.

I feel a bit... "glazed over" if you get me... maybe this is what people call brain fog.

Ive had some moments where all strength drains from my body and my knees buckle under me.

I am very very emotional alot and anxiety has spiked bad.

I have a constant like tingly aura like sensation... (applogies if this is explained badly)

My appetite is non-existant.

I dont know whats happening tbf but blood tests find nothing, heart is apparently fine and its not changing much... just varying in intensity on a d2d basis.

Has anyone been through burnout?

can indentify what im saying as burnout?

Give any tips on how to help.

I’m 26f, I’ve been diagnosed with autism for 3 years now. I’ve been working at my job as a sales assistant for 5 years now and I’m struggling. I’ve done full time hours, part time hours and either way I feel so burnt out.

I’ve thought about handing in a sick note, handing in my notice. I don’t know what to do anymore. I just feel stuck and unable to just be normal. I wish I could be normal and live a life without autism. I don’t know what to do with my life anymore in terms of my career.

Does anyone else occasionally get a period of a few weeks where it feels almost like they are depressed? They just want to lay in bed and cry and they get irritated easily and they don’t want to do any of the things they enjoy and doing anything at all seems to take so much effort. I guess is this like short term depression or is it burnout?

Link to petition: https://www.change.org/p/independent-review-into-the-circumstances-surrounding-the-death-of-dr-jason-arday

**edited cuz a dont know how formatting works loll**

I'm 29 and have been on the NHS autism assessment waiting list for over 6–7 years. I'm the oldest of four siblings, and my younger siblings have all been diagnosed with ADHD and/or autism.

I'm looking for some perspective from other autistic/neurodivergent people, particularly anyone in Scotland who has dealt with the NHS while waiting for an autism assessment.

Over the past few months, I've experienced a significant deterioration in my functioning due to severe sensory overload. I'm struggling with basic things like cooking, cleaning and self-care. I've now had more than 7 GP appointments about this, but I feel like I'm repeatedly being told there's nothing they can do.

Because verbal communication becomes extremely difficult when I'm severely overwhelmed, I brought written notes and a week-long symptom log to my most recent appointment.

I explained that when the sensory overload becomes particularly bad, I sometimes need to spend hours in a quiet, dark corner to recover.

The GP responded with words to the effect of: “Because it's your choice to hide in a corner, there's not a lot I can do” and “You can't really hide away from the world.”

I explained that this wasn't something I considered a choice, but something I feel I need to do when I'm completely overwhelmed by sensory input. I also explained how significantly my ability to function and care for myself had deteriorated.

The GP then raised his voice and eventually said words to the effect of: “There's nothing else I can do.”

I'm using “words to the effect of” because I don't have a recording and don't want to claim I remember the wording verbatim.

I've since submitted a formal complaint to the practice.

To be clear, I wasn't expecting my GP to diagnose or treat autism. I understand that GPs aren't autism specialists.

What I was hoping for was some kind of clinical plan for the fact that my functioning has deteriorated to the point where I'm struggling with basic self-care, cooking and cleaning. If the GP genuinely couldn't provide treatment themselves, I would have expected them to explain what options were available, whether another service or referral was appropriate, or what I should do if my functioning continued to deteriorate.

My main issue isn't “why didn't my GP fix my autism?” It's “why was I repeatedly explaining a significant deterioration in my functioning and ultimately told there was nothing else they could do?”

So I'm interested in hearing from other autistic/neurodivergent people:

• Have you experienced something similar with a GP?
• Were you able to get meaningful support while waiting for an autism assessment?
• If your GP couldn't directly help, did they offer you any kind of plan or alternative support?

I'm not looking for Reddit to diagnose me. I'm mainly interested in hearing other people's experiences and perspectives.

How difficult is this job for someone who is autistic?

I didn’t get the support I needed in school but I did get good grades in school. I think I would find it really rewarding helping someone with SEN in a school.

How difficult is this job? I could only do it part time. I don’t have any qualifications or experience. I don’t have a degree. I have had bad experiences in work because I need accommodations and don’t mask. So I have no idea if this job is possible for me.