Gail – Interview 06b
At 18 year old, Gail suspected she may have Asperger syndrome, but did not feel the need to get diagnosed until more recently. She was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago.
Gail describes being disruptive at primary school because she didn’t really understand the point of school. She eventually became quiet and withdrawn though she did well in her studies. When she was 18, she read an article about Asperger syndrome and thought that described her. She didn’t think about getting a diagnosis as there didn’t seem to be any point at that time. Gail did a degree in English and then went to Canada where she did a Master’s degree. Gail describes finding everyday life much easier in Canada where she was a foreigner’ and could ask questions about things in a way she couldn’t at home.
After graduation, Gail worked in schools and found she was able to connect with young people with autism. She decided to go back to university to train as a speech and language therapist. This time, Gail found studying difficult. The fluorescent lights bothered her and she had trouble organising her studies and reading the PowerPoint slides in lectures. Eventually after her second year, Gail asked her GP to refer her for a diagnosis but he was not helpful. She eventually got a diagnosis privately and was then able to access support and services to help her return to her degree course part time.
Gail lives alone and her father helps her to organise her domestic life. She has a very active social life online and feels that it is important to focus on the positive side to having Asperger syndrome.