Adult diagnosis of aspergers/autism

I'm no expert, but some aspects of Aspergers are similar to dementia, eg not being able to remember names, faces; not being able to "find" something which is right there in front of you; not being able to remember what has been said to you ("short term memory"??). My point is that medics would need to distinguish between Aspergers and dementia. My dh is quite likely to leave doors unlocked, forget to take things, not notice a spill on the kitchen floor etc.

HildajenniJ, people from any of those professions - doctors, nurses, vicars etc - can also have Aspergers.

I'm no expert, but I wouldn't have thought that the risk is any greater for ASD's than the rest of the population for developing dementia. We are all individuals, and lead very different lifestyles. Dementia affects all kinds of people. For example, I have nursed doctors, nurses, vicars, and all sorts of people with dementia.

Does being AS or having autism make dementia more likely? I'd not connected the two until recently and now it's mentioned here I'd like to know more.

The posts about early-onset dementia and Asperger Syndrome are interesting. One of the reasons that I feel our GP surgery should be helping dh get an Aspergers diagnosis is that they would definitely, IMO, diagnose him with early-onset dementia if they didn't factor in Aspergers. That's if they bothered to investigate, which they won't. I'm assuming that they'll wait for some catastrophe and then say there's something wrong with his brain. Clearly there is.

I will PM you, Jane10 - thanks.

Alchemilla feel free! Diagnosis can be an enormous relief. Depending where the person lives there is most certainly help and support. There are implications around employment and organisations to help if required. Again in some areas there are support groups for families of adults with AS including for partners.

hilda
My friends brother has recently been diagnosed with autism and is being assessed for dementia.
His sister and I suspected dementia, we were a little surprised by the autism.
I agree at your DH's age there is no benefit. At 24 we are hoping DS can be helped to find work and actually "have a life" at the moment the only time he leaves the house is to sign on

My DGS1 had his diagnosis age 5. My DH is 64 and has all the AS traits that my GS has. From the stories he tells of his behaviour as a child it is obvious to all of us that the has Asperger's. He has never been assessed, and will not bother now. I looked after a gentleman with AS who had developed early onset dementia, my word, he was fun!

The National Autism Society website will tell you that your OH has a legal right to be referred and explains procedure, Alchemillamollis, although I wonder if many GPs might think it a pointless exercise for older people when there is no treatment or employment/benefit need. I gather it can take about 2 years via the NHS to get through the waiting list and appointments etc., and a lot of money if you go private.

Apologies to Ninathenana for getting your name wrong earlier!

My dh knows he has AS. His GP gave him the brush-off when he asked to be referred for diagnosis. This is, apparently, standard practice for GPs.

Do you mind if I PM you, Jane, please?

My OH ought to go. He ticks most of the behavioural traits but I don't think he would do anything about it.
In his thought processes, it is everyone else's problem and if it was suggested to him, he would not go because he had not thought about doing so and that someone else had suggested it.

That to him means he then feels pressured and cannot cope with having been asked.

Thank you all and will pmJane. Good luck to your son Ninananna

Hi, I run 2 groups for late diagnosed adults with AS. PM me if you'd like to.

Hi mollie the best (only) way to search this site is via Google:

www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=asperger%27s%20on%20gransnet

My 24 yr old son was diagnosed last month.
It was a relief to him and us.
We can now get him the help he needs to have the best life he can. People like SS and jobcentre need the written conformation before they will help.
Be warned though all these things take a lot of time. He was on a two year NHS waiting list for diagnosis so we went private. He will have to wait 6-8 wks before he sees a mentor from SS.
He's only worked for 6 mths since leaving school so jobcentre have appointed him a job coach who will endeavour to find an employer willing to take him.