DISCUSSION FORUM

When I first read about AS years ago, I immediately thought of my friend. He didn't want to hear of it then. Many years later I found out about myself, a family member, and some other later acquaintances, all on the spectrum. But my friend refuses to even look at the materials and insists, "I don't have your disease," despite how many other people say behind his back that he is a poster person for AS. I want to help connect him with the local AS resources that have helped me, but he would have to be motivated on his own, as I cannot change his mind for him. Really frustrating, though, to hear him go on about issues that I know there is help for if he would even think of screening himself. Any advice?

Posted - 04/10/2012 :  09:10:20  

Leave it. You friend has the right to make choices about his own life and healthcare. You've alerted him to the fact that services exist, and shared your beliefs with him, but now you can't do any more unless he actually asks for your help or involvement.

Posted - 07/29/2012 :  19:46:49  

I'm in a similar situation to the poster above. Our friend has significant indicators of AS. My partner is his closest friend and about a year ago he broached the subject. Our friend said he doesnt want to pursue it. Trouble is, he's since lost his job and has been unemployed for nearly a year. In the current climate I can't see anyone employing a 30 year old man who argues with supervisors, talks over colleagues and has the worst 'arrogant' aspects of AS. He has no-one else in the city and relies on us a lot for friendship, and frankly it is HARD WORK. He is constantly taking offence at innocuous friendly comments from stangers, or accusing tradespeople of ripping him off, and then complains to us at length about these incidents. But I worry that if we walk away from the friendship his depression (which he refuses to have treated) will get worse. He is very lonely and surely getting him some support with how he interacts with people can only help. If he could only see that there are other poeple who struggle in similar ways...is it really as simple as "walk away, he's an adult?" :-(