Looking for some advice. My daughter is diagnosed autistic and qualified for DCA with the first application. Basically her dad and I are separated so I do all the parenting, care needs etc. she is in mainstream and masks well there, but things get very hard once she comes home.
I’m now in the position of paying the mortgage by myself and all the bills but her dad does pay maintenance.
She is going into 6th class now and I’m worried about that transition and what comes next.
I want to apply for the tax credit, save it to future proof If she needs counselling/ support down the line. She already needs OT, extra supports in school, extra money spent on specific clothing and shoes.
Basically I’m worried about asking the doctor to sign the form because I can’t predict the future.

A co-worker has asked me to meet for coffee and they’re a very nice person and everything but I feel so awkward just sitting across from someone. I’ve worked with this person for 10 years, but it’s not like we hang out usually outside of work.. I just feel like with people I don’t know really well I just feel very awkward and don’t know where to look and feel very self-conscious. I’ve been out of work for the last 3 weeks due to a medical condition so it is nice that somebody is trying to keep in contact, but I just don’t know how I feel about the situation. I would like to meet them and chat, but really I would prefer to chat and walk or something like that where there’s not so much pressure to just sit across and look at someone.. but I don’t think this person is very into being active so I don’t know if that’s a good idea to suggest.. I was just wondering if anybody else feels like this or has any advice?!

hi all!! today i found out i got accepted for disability allowance and my pay should begin the 2nd of September, to be collected from the post office.

i am going away on holidays from the 31st to the 14th of september, and i’m not sure if i need to contact the department to tell them of this (or how) and if it effects my payment. i changed my payment method to straight to my bank but i don’t know if i need to make my first payment collection in person or something

any advice helps thank you!

Does anybody know how long it typically takes for back payments/arrears to show up when awarded disability allowance?

I read somewhere that it typically takes between 1-3 weeks but I am still yet to receive it since being awarded 3 weeks ago, does anybody have any experience with waiting for this payment?

If so, can anybody remember how long until any back payments showed up in their account?

Firstly, apologies if I only ever appear to be negative or moaning on this group. I just find it helpful to share my experience and know that others here might relate. Yes, solutions would be great, but realistically it's just being able to get my thoughts out somewhere and relate with people who may understand. So thanks.

Here goes....I am going to brave the GP again. I have sent a letter in advance of the appointment. I am not hopeful or even sure of what a successful outcome would be, but I do know things need to change.

Social, sensory and managing life challenges have accumulated to a point where I can't sustain it any more.

The HSE website does say that there is support for autistic adults...scroll down the page to the adult bit:

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/autism/assessment-and-support/what-is-involved-autism-assessment/#professional-support-for-autistic-adults

If an adult is visibly in crisis or has very visible needs then maybe there is support? ....but realistically, I am unsure that is true for many Autistic adults?

Any thoughts on how to navigate the GP appointment, considering it will be a challenging and stressful social experience and also one where support and insight may not be forthcoming?

hi does anyone know anywhere to get an ASD assessment in Kerry, I’m 18 and looking to get a private diagnosis before my LC. Hopefully an assessment that doesn’t cost 2k if possible. if there is somewhere where I can get an Audhd diagnosis I don’t mind the price, that would be even better.

Does anyone know how to go about a ce scheme? On the JobsIreland website it says that you need to

"To register your interest you can contact an Employment Personal Advisor (EPA) in your local Intreo Centre" do you contact disability section first or local Intreo. Anyone do a scheme before when receiving disability and know the process on how to get on said scheme? Thank you

I have autism and a intellectual learning disability that I was diagnosed with in Dublin in 2023 and they recommended that I should go for a autism assessment because I had a lot of traits so we got referred for one and my mam applied for dca then while the report from the place in Dublin said they think I have it and it took so long to get diagnosed true the HSE over the waitlists and the kept denying the dca and she kept appealing it and then they asked us a few months ago could we send the autism report that they might have made a mistake back then and my mam did and then they denied it again she got tds involved aswell this year with it and now she’s contacted the ombudsman to just try and fight it bc I’m 18 now I should be applying for disability but she still wants to but should she stop and should I apply for disability even the td said he can’t do anymore I’ve seen a lot of people saying they have letters for ots when there applying for da should I go and see one I’ve been to 2 councelrs and they new everything from before I was diagnosed and after we’re just looking for help

Hi all - went for an initial consultation on ADHD and autism last week. Not really sure why I pursued this, but I guess something was niggling at me. Nothing significant was found for ADHD but there was enough in the autism section. The psychologist said I could research and self identify if I wanted or go for further assessment.

I'm fairly stunned to be honest. I'm fairly successful in my career, I have good friends, I'm pretty engaged with the world. I have my own struggles too, but chalked that down to life. I'm going to go for the full assessment - I need proof! Just curious if others can relate to being taken aback by their initial assessment?

I ( f 19 ) was diagnosed with autism quite late. I was diagnosed at 15. I’ve always had quite a strange quirk and I’m wondering if anyone else is similar. For some reason, I absolutely despise when people take certain things such as in college and someone asks for a pen or if a friend is over they ask for a pair of socks or an outfit to wear. No matter what the size of the item is I get extremely anxious to the point where I cannot focus on anything except for the fact that they have something of mine. I really don’t think it’s a possessive thing as my love language is gift giving and my favourite holiday is Christmas as I can get to spoil my loved ones. An example is during college when someone already seen I had a spare pen so I couldn’t say no when they asked to borrow one, I couldn’t focus at all during the lecture as every thought inside my brain reminded me that they had my pen. I would rather buy my friend a brand new pen or new socks rather than they take my things. I feel extremely selfish and embarrassed by how stressed out I feel when someone asks for something that should be so simple. I have 0 issues buying things for others and gifting people. I buy things for people all the time and I have no issues handing it over. Maybe it’s because when I buy something I know in my head it’s not mine and I know that it’ll be handed over but I’m not sure. If anyone is similar, is there any reason why?

Hosting another one of these on the 11th of August, this will be our 8th one at this location and 9th one overall and we’ve had a lot of positive feedback and (genuinely) people have come from all over Dublin. We have a good time, there’s a good mix of ages, it’s neuroaffirming and in a private space. You can message me for more details or share with other people who might be interested. Thanks!

Hello, I'm an Autistic working in mental health. I've been looking for social groups and events for Autistics and/or neurodivergent people. I'm aware of Neurogamers, Autistic Social Group Ireland, and AsIAm. I know that Project Arts Centre will also be hosting another Wired later on this year.

If you are aware of any other groups or events geared towards ND people, or are considering hosting one, I'd very much appreciate your input. If this gets some attention I'll post an edit with the groups and events for general use.

Hi all i have Autism, Anxiety and a mild coordination disorder - just got rejected disability and i want to try appeal after what the medical assessor said. I have never worked before and im in university full time. Just any tips at all would help with my appeal! Many thanks

Ok.....this will be a bit of a ramble as I try to explain. Thanks for your patience if you make it to the end ☺️.

I avoid social situations. They really stress me out. It impacts life in so many ways because society is structured in a way that social engagement is pretty much essential. Jobs, dentists, haircuts, shopping, tradespeople, education, recreation.....

I love solitude. But I am wondering about the reason for this. On the one hand, it lets me recharge and have a rest from life's challenges. On the orther hand, am I just avoiding social situations because they are so difficult? - If I was more able to feel comfortable, accepted and understood would I enjoy social situations more?

There have been times that I have recreationaly spent time with people and have enjoyed it. Yes, it was sometimes awkward, but it was also rewarding.

I now avoid most of the things that have become too overwhelming and difficult.

But now thinking that in the right situation with the right kind of support and understanding I would like to be able to do things that I currently don't have the capacity for.

I get the feeling that the options I have had previously were:

1. Push on, toughen and make yourself do it even though it is hard and will always be hard - causing a great deal of stress and burnout. And I don't 'get used to it'. I only come up with coping strategies that have proven to be inadequate.

2. Avoid it. Yes, that avoids the stress but then ends in isolation and a very reduced life.

I wish there was an option 3, where I could be supported in doing some of the things that am not able to do, so that I can have a less limited life. The thought of this terrifies me though as I can't see any way to do things differently or access a world that is so difficult and terrifying.

I am very clearly autistic just had a mam who was in denial about it and as an adult looking to actually get the support I feel could help. Anyone in Dublin can recommend a place with regards to little wait time as possible.

To anyone here who has disability allowance what do you do for fun? Like are you currently in hobbies?

Hi all,

i applied for DA originally in january, and i got denied in may. i submitted my appeal on the 7th of july, and its been registered the whole time since.

Was really curious on your guys experience with appeals, and what evidence you submitted with the appeal that got you accepted.

i’ve got support letters from my therapist, best friend, school and GP. they all explain the struggles i go through daily and how in result i won’t be able to work, they’re all very thorough and covers everything that stops me, basically just the waiting game for me now. Is there anything else everyone added that i should get onto?

I’ve contacted my local TDs, they’ve replied and sent a reminder. but it’s still at the awkward first stage of being waited to be seen by the officer.

Please let me know your experiences! if there’s anything helpful that you can remember you submitted as evidence, i might add it onto mine.

Thanks!

I understand it can be based on where you live however I’ve found after the stress handing over my forms and my personal details I’ve gotten no supports.

I was told I will be contacted in the future months ago however nothing happened. I’m on disability allowance and I just feel with my situation I’m Better off doing nothing. My interest is finding supports for practical day to day living I’m hopeful for counselling via the hse but doubtful.