Supporting Adults with Late Diagnosis Autism

Aim

Sunbeams is beginning a pilot support program aiming its services towards adults with a late diagnosis of autism.

Sunbeams has decided to start a pilot support program for adults who have received a late diagnosis of autism, who are in the process of being assessed for autism or would like support to access services that will allow them to begin the assessment journey for a diagnosis.

Many people ask 'What is the point of getting a diagnosis of autism now that you are an adult?'

Very simply put, it provides answers.  It explains why a person may struggle with social situations, is unable to take part in small talk and does not appear to have an interest in what other people have to say or are feeling.  It explains why a person may seclude themselves from large gatherings and are always avoiding social situations.  Its explains all the little nuances and odd rituals and routines a person with autism may experience.

A late diagnosis of autism not only brings answers it will bring a whole variety of emotions and feelings, ranging from relief to anger, happiness and despair. Mourning for the life that could have been without that crippling social anxiety, the friends you may have been able to keep if you understood how to engage socially or the job you may have secured had you not misinterpreted a question at interview and gone off on a tangent!

People with autism often struggle with tasks that are a part of life, such as understanding money and budgeting.  

When everyone gets older, including people with autism, they need and want things and no matter where they go in life, they’re going to need one very important thing: money. Needs cost money, like food, water and shelter. And wants cost money, like cars and entertainment. Money management can be difficult for many people in the autism community.

When people with autism become teenagers and adults, they tend to want a lot of stuff. This may include movies, video games, or anything else they love to collect that may look like junk to other people. 

It can become a problem when they buy too much and don’t have money for the important things. 

People may say “stop buying that stuff, you don’t need it” and “go out less.” When given advice like that, people with autism are not trying to ignore you, but money management is so hard for many of them.

Part of Sunbeams new support group will be aimed at helping individuals with autism learn to manage money better and work with them on being more independent. 

People with autisms money management skills will get worse if they go into too much debt. It’s hard for many neurotypical people, let alone someone with autism, to understand interests and payments and how fast they can end up in debt.

Sunbeams will support members by helping them to budget to for rent, food and other necessities before any things that aren’t as important. Sunbeams also plans to invite people in to the support groups to give advice on budgeting and saving, as well as offer other services including training opportunities and counselling/therapy.

Sunbeams support group is also there to provide an opportunity to meet other people experiencing the same difficulties and issues, it will support with the development of meaningful and lasting relationships with peers.  This will see the beginnings of small peer support groups where new friends made will be able to turn to each other for support and even venture out on some social activities together.

This project successfully funded on 20th September 2022