Learning communities
Based in Birchwood shopping centre, Lincoln has a range of support initiatives, including: See map 01522 697587
- IT Courses ranging from Computers for Beginners to ECDL
- Access to Computer facilities
- Support with basic skills (Maths & English)
- Programme to help overcome barriers to employment, issues relating to health, housing, homelessness, debt, parenting etc.
- Project supporting individuals and families with essential items such as food, clothing, and cooking equipment.
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You may find some relevant material in the Resources menu structure above, e.g. Money – PIP, College & University & Library books. See also Take a break
What is it like?
What Does Autism Spectrum Disorder Look Like in Adults? Click icon for a readable article.
Keran – age 33
Meet Keran Bunker, who has always struggled to keep jobs or a place to live and did not find out he had autism with ADHD until he was-33. Click play button for his video.
Locate
A support group for people who have ASD, ADHD, Learning Difficulties and Mental Health needs such as Anxiety.
It is based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK. Click icon to see their Facebook pages.
Email: locate.grantham@gmail.com
Canadda
Website
CANadda is a Lincoln based support group for adults on the Autism Spectrum and associated conditions. Hover over icons / pictures to identify links.
See also: Canadda events Newsletters
Publicity 
Discussion – log in to view.
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society website has several pages aimed at adults with autism or asperger’s syndrome, including one on social skills. Click on the icon to see. If you cannot find what you want on their website you can ask them questions for free. For more information click on: Help & advice . Click 0800 & 0808 numbers to see when the helpline is free. They also have another set of pages for adults called Getting older.
Asperger Central
Aspergers Central says it, Is a Facebook community focused on providing great information to our members & a platform where everyone can talk and help one another.
Chat for Adults with Asperger’s
This is a website dedicated to people with Asperger’s. Contributors tackle many topics. Look for the Popular Posts as well as other links down the right hand side. There is also a search box. Below are some of the more substantial ones.
- Coping strategies
- What women like about Asperger men
- Relationship tips for men
- Tips for married couples
- Panic attacks
- Is Asperger’s related to not getting out? See also Not getting out.
Social skills
- Seeing the world as others see it can be useful when interacting with people. See: Introduction Awareness Theory of mind
- A poem The galloping cat illustrates the problem of conflicting points of view.
- Social stories may be handy learning aids for some. See: Introduction e.g. Drawing blood
- See School age for more practical information.
Relationships
You do not have to look far to see that relationship issues are of concern to all kinds of people. However, below are a few links offering handy insights into relationships for people with Asperger’s.
- Easy reading guide – Love, sex & relationships. See also background
- Article – Relationship Difficulties Due to Deficits in “Theory of Mind”
- Article – Rules of Effective Listening: Tips for Men on the Spectrum
- Adult relationships – bullet points
- Issues for partners
- Radio programme – may well still be available to hear on-line: Why do so many women think their men have Asperger’s syndrome?
Adult diagnosis
The National Autistic Society offers a step by step guide to adult diagnosis. Click icon to see it. They recommend taking details of local services to your–GP. They have details of 2 options in Lincolnshire.
- Kirkland Psychology in Lincoln takes GP referrals, though they mention a cost.
See also NHS referrals. - Spectrum Psychology in Lincoln takes private clients only.
- The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) launched their guidelines cover recognising, referring and diagnosing autism in adults in June 2012. NICE–also produce pathways in the form of diagrams. Click boxes to see accompanying notes. The diagram link shows the kind of thing you might mention to your GP when asking for a referral.
- Age limits for paediatric services seem to vary from hospital to hospital from 12 – 15 according to this report.
- Some people have been discussing concerns on-line. One reply recommends writing things down before going to your GP. She points out, “You’re not looking for a diagnosis at this stage, you’re just looking to highlight the important reasons why you think an assessment is warranted”. She goes on to warn, “Some doctors seem to assume that anyone seeking a diagnosis is doing so because they want to claim benefits. It can help to explain the ways a diagnosis could help you make improvements in your life.”
- Here are some more discussions that might be worth a look: Is it worth going for diagnosis? Visiting an ASD/ADHD clinic Testing the water initially .
NHS services
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust offers a range of services to support adults with learning disabilities in the community. These services are specifically geared up for adults whose learning disability prevents them from accessing mainstream services: Introduction Speech & language Physio therapy Occupational therapy Liaison nurse – facilitator Assertive support – behaviours that challenge services Single point of access See also Problem solving
Steps 2 change may also be of interest. The service is for anyone in Lincolnshire over the age of 16, who is feeling stressed, anxious, low in mood or depressed. For access information see: Grantham, Sleaford, Spalding, Boston, Skegness, Stamford or search Family Services Directory.
How can I tell?
“How can it tell if an adult is autistic?” Have a look at this easy reading guide.
Also, here are a couple of on-line discussions to browse:
- Discussion about a 21 year old studying to be a social worker. She thinks her step dad and step brother probably have Asperger’s but is not sure what to do about it. Replies suggest leaving some information leaflets lying around to start with.
- Discussion about a young lady who has broken up with her boyfriend but is uneasy about leaving things at that.
Autism Women’s Network
“The Autism Women’s Network is dedicated to building a supportive community for Autistic women of all ages …”. This group, based in the USA. It seems to have some interesting posts. See:
- Facebook for easy browsing with pictures,
- their website for welcome packets,
- their blog for a list of more in-depth articles.
Asperger experts
Danny Raede has discovered for himself ways of understanding and coping with the difficulties he experiences as someone on the spectrum. He has formed Asperger Experts to guide and support others in the same boat.
See: website basics blog e.g. Be with that is a handy idea and technique to help to cope when feeling overwhelmed.
Advocacy
Advocacy is helping people to say what they want and to get what they need, or at least what they are entitled to.
- The National Autistic Society has a page about Advocacy and autism
- Mind, the mental health support people, offer an introduction to Advocacy in mental health. Autism is a developmental condition, not a mental health condition, but this article might add something of help to people with autism.
Autism Strategy
The government started developing an autism strategy in 2009 following on from the Autism Act 2009. The aim was to ensure that adults with autism get the help they need, such as help getting a job or help at home.
- The first Autism Strategy was published in 2010 with the title Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives. Then the government asked for feedback in 2013.
- The second strategy was published in 2014 with the title Think Autism.
Here is a personal reaction posted on the internet.
Lincolnshire County Council have published some documents outlining their plans for following the strategy locally. See web page and The Strategy 2015 2018.
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Please be aware that we, at GAIN, are not qualified to give advice. See disclaimer.