Update on life

[Kitty June]

Yea! I'm glad it worked out. You probably get to work with nicer equipment than you would have been able to scrounge up. I'm really happy that this worked out.

[Deborah]

Good news and am I surprised 

I decided to ask my graphic design instructor if he might have a camera I could borrow and after explaining my situation he directed me to someone within the film technology crew at the college and not only did they happen to have a camera they were willing to lend it to me throughout the semester.

Now I can stay in my photography class and I have a camera in the meantime that I can actually play with 

That is really good news.  Yaaaay

[EmilyRyan]

The camera has been going well I'm caught up with my current photography project now.

For those curious I'm using a Canon Rebel T6S (24 Megapixels) with a 55mm-135mm lens. I'm surprised they're trusting me with such a camera and I got to say using a DSLR has come easy to me and this is actually my first time ever using one.

As for what else is going on I came out to my graphic design instructor and right now he's one my biggest advocates. Yeah he's one one the most awesome human beings I ever met.

This Monday should be the day I talk to the main person at the college about getting tested for ASD or at least what to do about getting tested if the college doesn't provide that kind of service. If getting tested for ASD isn't possible at the moment I'm gonna talk to see if there any assistance I could get in getting help with employment with my learning disability. Either way hope to make progress there.   

That is really good news.  Yaaaay

Love your profile pic you look beautiful
   

[Deborah]

Thank you!

It's so nice to hear your enthusiasm with the camera and academics this semester.  Hold on to that, work hard, and make your dreams a reality!

[EmilyRyan]

About a couple weeks ago I spoke to the lady with student disability services to see about getting tested for ASD and unfortunately the college doesn't provide testing. My best bet is to see an outside professional and yeah that's gonna cost a lot of money I don't have and I can't convince my parents to get me tested either so once again I'm in a rut.

What can I do if there's even anything I could do at this point?? I need an official diagnosis.

Not sad about the situation just clueless and wish I had the funds to get tested   

[EmilyRyan]

I know this isn't a trans related issue but I really need some help and/or advice for dealing with this situation. Also I'm afraid of going to an autism board since I'm currently not diagnosed.

[Dena]

The autism boards may suggest ways to be tested. We really don't have that type of information available so unless one of the members who has autism, knows the process and post, you aren't likely to find the answer you need here.

[EmilyRyan]

The autism boards may suggest ways to be tested. We really don't have that type of information available so unless one of the members who has autism, knows the process and post, you aren't likely to find the answer you need here.

I know where I need to go as far as getting tested goes and I got some good recommendations. The main problem I'm facing is lacking the funds to get tested and apparently insurance doesn't cover adult autism testing and I can't convince my parents to help me out either. I'm totally not sure what to do as far as getting the money to get tested. 

[Dena]

Getting money is a problem for everybody you can print it, steal it, get it from somebody else or earn it. I don't recommend the first to however because they can result in a very long vacation. Find out how much it really costs and see if you can do odd jobs around the neighborhood or if your school job board has something you can do. If nothing else, if you are good in a subject, you might be able to tutor for money. People have been figuring out how to legally get money form somebody else's pocket into theirs for years and you should be able to do the same.

[EmilyRyan]

Getting money is a problem for everybody you can print it, steal it, get it from somebody else or earn it. I don't recommend the first to however because they can result in a very long vacation. Find out how much it really costs and see if you can do odd jobs around the neighborhood or if your school job board has something you can do. If nothing else, if you are good in a subject, you might be able to tutor for money. People have been figuring out how to legally get money form somebody else's pocket into theirs for years and you should be able to do the same.

The area where I live is too rural for odd jobs, I've tried my school career services with no luck, and I'm not good at tutoring. The costs of getting tested I hear runs somewhere around from $1500 to as high as $5000. As usual high costs impedes progress.

[CarlyMcx]

Sell your photos on Shutterstock.

[EmilyRyan]

It's a shame that in order to get a diagnosis that's crucial I am having to figure how to come up with money because the system continues to be unafforable and unhelpful. Gotta love America

[AnxietyDisord3r]

Good news and am I surprised 

I decided to ask my graphic design instructor if he might have a camera I could borrow and after explaining my situation he directed me to someone within the film technology crew at the college and not only did they happen to have a camera they were willing to lend it to me throughout the semester.

Now I can stay in my photography class and I have a camera in the meantime that I can actually play with 

Great news!

[AnxietyDisord3r]

It's a shame that in order to get a diagnosis that's crucial I am having to figure how to come up with money because the system continues to be unafforable and unhelpful. Gotta love America

I gave up on getting a diagnosis because I was functional enough that disability services really wouldn't have helped me. I was able to get a government job that paid my bills and it was union so I was protected against an unfair firing.

There are resources for young people to get union jobs. They can't just fire you because the manager decides they don't like autistic people. Look for "young workers afl cio" in your area.

Is there a group for people with intellectual disabilities in your area? In my area we have "The Arc" and they do a lot of support for people with autism. They may help you without a diagnosis.

Also, have you found your local Center for Independent Living? They do self advocacy for disabled people. They're well aware of issues getting a diagnosis and may be able to point you in the right direction AND they may know some good employers.

[EmilyRyan]

I gave up on getting a diagnosis because I was functional enough that disability services really wouldn't have helped me. I was able to get a government job that paid my bills and it was union so I was protected against an unfair firing.

There are resources for young people to get union jobs. They can't just fire you because the manager decides they don't like autistic people. Look for "young workers afl cio" in your area.

Is there a group for people with intellectual disabilities in your area? In my area we have "The Arc" and they do a lot of support for people with autism. They may help you without a diagnosis.

Also, have you found your local Center for Independent Living? They do self advocacy for disabled people. They're well aware of issues getting a diagnosis and may be able to point you in the right direction AND they may know some good employers.

I'll look in to about the union main concern would be the fact that Tennessee doesn't like unions and is trying very hard to get rid of them but hopefully the unions that help young people haven't been ran out of the state yet.

Nearest supports and groups are in Nashville and I have no way of getting up there anytime soon.

I'm not sure if there's a center for independent living in my town or not if there is one maybe they can help. My main reasons for getting a diagnosis is for peace of mind and help getting and keeping a job and most services require a diagnosis.

Sometimes I feel as though the best thing to do in this situation is to move to another state with better services but Tennessee is much cheaper to to live compared to anywhere else.

I would sell photos online but that requires luck that people will suddenly discover my photos and actually download them so it could take months or even years just to make $500

[EmilyRyan]

quote author=AnxietyDisord3r link=topic=214000.msg1901466#msg1901466 date=1474816721]
Is there a group for people with intellectual disabilities in your area? In my area we have "The Arc" and they do a lot of support for people with autism. They may help you without a diagnosis.

Found that "The Arc" has a chapter in Nashville I really should move up there but rent is soo expensive.

Edit: Even better I actually found a chapter located in Williamson County which is much closer than Nashville and overall a better area but like Nashville it's an expensive area to live.

[EmilyRyan]

Feel discouraged right now. Really need this diagnosis so I can get the help I need for getting and keeping a job and without it I'm out of luck. I really need the money for a diagnosis there's gotta be ways to get a diagnosis with having to have thousands of dollars to do it.   

[AnxietyDisord3r]

Do you have a car or are you dependent on public transportation?

It is very hard to break into a bigger city with the higher rents. I used to rent rooms from people which is much cheaper but you have to abide by their house rules and be quiet. You could check the local LBGT weekly paper or "finer urban weekly" if there isn't a gay paper to find roommates who are queer friendly. It helps to have a job lined up first, though. I relate to how tough it is. It's like an endless cycle of not being able to get into the virtuous cycle of job/rent/services because you haven't gotten into the circle. If you can be patient and get a degree though, you will have job opportunities in many cities.

[EmilyRyan]

What can I do if I'm unable to get assistance??

[Dena]

Most every successful business man has several failures in his past. What makes a person successful is the willingness to attempt something else after a failure. Are you attempting to find a solution or are you dismissing everything as impossible? If you are pursuing possible solutions to your problem like finding a way to pay for what you need, sooner or later you will succeed.