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Hello!

I'm Andrew. I'm 48, married (I've been with my long-suffering wife for 30 years!), I have two children (a daughter and a son who was diagnosed with AS when he was 14). I work full time as a software tester (I've had many, many jobs, have been fired from a few and made redundant six times) and am also a carer for my wife who has severe multiple sclerosis.

I'm in the process of being diagnosed; I've passed the preliminary stages and I'm waiting for an appointment to see a clinical psychologist. Hopefully, it should be sometime soon there's a six-month waiting list and I'm approaching six months waiting.

Back when my son was diagnosed, both the psychologist and my son said that I was definitely on the spectrum as I ticked way more boxes than he did. I chuckled and thought no more about it. Then at Christmas I had another blow up at home with my father due to me not knowing when to stop arguing (of course, I didn't think I was arguing). I thought I really need to do something about this, I did a load of research, checked online for a test, took it and was a little stunned how many of the questions rang true and explained a lot of my behaviour over the past 48 years. That's when I decided I needed a proper diagnosis. I need someone to tell me that this is the reason why I'm the way I am.

Currently, I'm building a list of like, dislikes, history and other relevant details to take to my interview. I'm assuming this is the correct thing to do. It's a little long (291 lines, so far) and detailed

Anyway, nice to be here!

Hey, Welcome to WrongPlanet

Your story sounds very familiar to many that post here for the first time
Its good you are seeking full assessment for yourself as it not only allows you to understand yourself a lot better but sometimes as you will be finding out are occasions that others may seem a little different but seem perfectly 'normal' to you... and its a bloody good interesting read. For the more mature crew that find out they are on the spectrum when researching they/i are finding things that we perceive everybody to think and do to be something that everybody is generally experiancing only to find out its only a few

Yup, sounds like your doing the correct thing by documenting your memories as it will give a good outline from an early age upwards and a better picture. As like myself sometimes when in a overstimulating situation can make the mind go somewhat blank! lol... You will likely be adding to that list quit alot over time now as you understand/rediscover yourself..

Yes, my mind goes totally blank when asked a question. I was asked for my daughter's birthday on the phone (any phone call is stressful) the other day and had no idea what it was as I have issues with remembering numbers and dates. I had to go and ask her!

Thanks for the welcome!

No worries May i ask if you predominantly have a pictorial mind when recollecting memories?
I only ask as i have and also have issues with numbers and dates, as i dont seem to be able to associate them pictorially. Yup fear of phones, door knocking etc seems to be a pretty common factor round these parts

I can't actually picture anything - well, I sort of see things for a split second like I'm looking through a very hazy filter and then it's gone. I can't see a flower, a rectangle, even my wife's face when I close my eyes. I always thought everyone else was the same but apparently not. So memory for me is just remembering a sequence of events that happened. I can't remember my dreams either. I know I do dream as they're there for a second or two when I wake but then they're gone and I have no idea what it was about. I was going to bring it up when I go for my interview.

Yup, worth bringing things like this up as it is a bit different to myself, which tends to have high pictorial memory similar to that of a movie ( as the best way to explain). As with myself, thought everyone had a similar experience to find it doesn't seem to be the case

I am extremely jealous!

It has its pros and cons as my memories are if they only happened moments ago, so can be like reliving the memories over and over each time they come up. It isnt exactly all that great! lol

Ah, I understand. Yes, that sounds pretty annoying.

Welcome! Good luck with your diagnosis.

Thanks AP!

Hey Andrew welcome.

Cheers Ratt!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!