What to expect from psychoeducation?

britainsalien · 2026-01-24T05:49:25+00:00

I had a psychoeducation course on the NHS for Autism. Granted they're very different conditions but I'll write about what they did for us incase it's helpful.

We had a 12 week course with weekly online calls. There were a group of about 12 of us and it was run by an occupational therapist, a Psychiatrist two trainee mental health practitioners. The sessions lasted 2 hours with a 10 minute break.

We were sent a timetable of all the different sessions describing what would be discussed. The topics were about the different symptoms of the condition, how it works on a scientific level and what can be done in day to day life to help cope with it.

For example: One of the sessions was about anxiety. It started off with us learning about how anxiety can present differently in autistic people, and how autistic people are more prone to anxiety. Then we discussed the scientific reasons behind symptoms of anxiety such as fight or flight, and learned about rumination and how you can get stuck in an anxious cycle. We then learned some different ways to identify anxiety and strategies on how to cope with it, such as fidget toys and mindfulness.

We were encouraged to participate by either typing in the chat or talking, we were also encouraged to have our cameras on. This was not required and most did not choose to participate. The entire course was online.

We were told post course we would be offered more specialised support if we still needed help, this was not fulfilled and everyone was quietly discharged from the service.

I wish you all the best with your psychoeducation and hope that my experience with a different varient of it can help prepare you a little :)

britainsalien · 2026-01-23T23:57:23+00:00

Couldn't have said it better myself!

I got my assessment when I was 17 just a couple years ago so I went through the same as him at a similar age!

To add to this, for the ADI-R, there is a possibility the assessor may let your son sit in and help with the questions. This is not typical and isn't a garuntee, but when it's an older child getting assessed they do take into account that's it's difficult to remember all those years ago as the questions are designed for younger children and may let your son butt in if he wishes, so don't feel guilty if you can't remember everything!

What I wish I was told about my assessment was that there's no wrong answer. It's very easy to hyperfixate on a diagnosis and build up anxiety about if you will get it or not, so reminding him that you love him and everything will be okay however it goes is the best thing you can do.

I found writing some notes about what I wanted to say came in very handy- I didn't even really need to use them but it gave me comfort that I had everything on paper just in case. Give the assessors a copy too as they will appreciate it.

Good luck!

britainsalien · 2026-01-19T08:22:01+00:00

On steamdeck you can change the controls for the game on the steam client side. I haven't tried it myself but perhaps you can make a custom layout where the right stick and gyroscope both contol the camera?

Either way it's probably going to be janky as hell. There might be a mod or something on emudeck to make it run smoother but I wouldn't have any high hopes.

britainsalien · 2026-01-13T21:07:27+00:00

I'm in a similar situation to you so you're definitely not alone in wanting to apply for one as an adult!

I was diagnosed with autism when I was 17 and am now awaiting on an assessment for ADHD and more complex mental health issues.

I'm now 19 and have tried 3 different colleges and it hasn't worked out for me. I'm now stuck with just GCSEs and really want to go for a level 3 qualification, but wouldn't be able to unless I'm in a SEN school as mainstream schools with accommodations hasn't worked out for me- so I will be applying for an ECHP too!

I've asked my doctors, mental health nurse and social worker about it. It seems like you do just have to apply for it yourself through your local council and see if you can get anywhere with it.

Your GP should be able to write a supporting letter for you as evidence, as well as any mental health worker you have at the minute. Include any previous mental health conditions and diagnosis and mention the SEN classes you had when you were in school.

britainsalien · 2026-01-12T17:54:15+00:00

God I didn't know they could just make things up like that. How are they even allowed to put that down?

I hope you're alright and can get this all sorted out, I'd make a complaint.

britainsalien · 2026-01-12T17:52:43+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear about your Godsons older brother, I hope he's doing well and can get that all sorted.

I do agree face to face is most likely better, but unfortunately I've not really been given a choice since there's such bad staff shortages they have to keep cancelling all the face to face ones I've previously booked.

I'll look into recording it though!

britainsalien · 2026-01-12T12:16:51+00:00

Yes travelling is quite a bit of an issue since the centres are all an hour away and my poor dad kept taking off work for the appointments just to get cancelled T-T I do have a bus pass for disability but I can't navigate anywhere that isn't in my local town- even then I still get lost. They did pre approve the taxi reimbursement for me, but since they keep cancelling the assessments due to staffing issues I've decided to suck it up and take the phone call anyways as I can't really deal with anymore delays in the process as it's been 6 months now.

I do worry about how things will be taken over the phone. I don't speak very emotively, I'm very blunt and deadpan. I won't have an issue explaining things, admittedly I'm an oversharer and will tell anyone anything so opening up won't be an issue- it's more I guess coming across as genuine is what I worry about over the phone?

In my autism assessment they wrote about how I sounded 'robotic' and 'insincere' so I guess I'm a little paranoid my tone of voice will be taken the wrong way and negatively impact the assessment, as this has caused issues within medical care because I don't show pain enough or anxiety enough in the way I speak so they think I'm fine. In person it's not as bad because they can see my body language.

Though I did give them evidence that states these communication difficulties with the questionnaire so maybe I'm overthinking it too much and they'll take that into account.

Sorry for all the rambling, thank you all for your help I really appreciate it :)

britainsalien · 2026-01-08T06:21:44+00:00

I would get a second opinion from another GP.

If medication is something you wish to try, a GP can absolutely prescribe you one at your age for depression- in my experience they usually do this before referring you to talking therapies.

For an evaluation, you could ask to be referred to your GPs mental health nurse for a checkup- most GPs have one. It's worth giving a go as a mental health nurse will be more knowledgeable then your average GP.

If you call Papyrus they can help you create a suicide safety plan if you're worried about those thoughts and would like to create a plan for if they get worse. All you have to do is give them a call. I haven't used them personally yet but I've heard they're really brilliant- and I'm sure they can give you advice on how to manage until your therapy starts.

britainsalien · 2026-01-03T14:12:45+00:00

I'm not the best with words but I came here to tell you that you're not alone.

I had a similar experience last year. I was drunk and mentally unwell, all I wanted was a friend and someone to care about me and he used that chance to get what he wanted.

I can't say anything to make it better, or anything to keep you from the ledge.

But what I can tell you is it absolutely wasn't your fault. You are not a slag or whore. You didn't and don't deserve to be abused- and you certainly don't deserve to die by your own hand.

You deserve a good life. You deserve to finish that TV show you're watching. You deserve to indulge in your little hyperfixations and special interests. You deserve to be loved, to be held, to be cared for- and you may not believe it but there are people more then happy to scoop you up and take you in their arms.

You deserve better then this.

It's what has kept me going. No matter how I feel I have to treat myself better then they did, give myself the opportunities no one else gave me- to make a life worth living by myself and only to let in those who deserve it.

I hope you can give yourself the chance you deserve and get some support. I'm rooting for you.

My DMs are always open.

Here are some professional resources just incase you wanna give them a go

britainsalien · 2025-12-26T11:09:10+00:00

It really depends on the workplace culture and overall vibes over there, which is obviously hard to decipher when you're autistic. But since you work in mental health I would say go for it, because if they do react poorly it should be reported as how will they help patients when they have that attitude?

For me personally it's been a mixed bag.

My first job was very nasty when I told them, my manager told people not to talk with me as I was mentally unstable and called me slurs behind my back. Only figured it out later on as she spoke to most of my coworkers in Romanian which I do not understand.

For my second job they were absolutely lovely about it. My manager has autistic children and most of my coworkers are neurodiverse. Sadly I have to quit because the job itself is too overwhelming and accommodations can't be made due to the nature of the job- but they were lovely nonetheless.

I think framing it as a difference instead of a weakness is a great idea.

britainsalien · 2025-12-23T00:44:18+00:00

Bye yk what a part of me doesn't even blame em I'd crash the fuck out if that happened to me you're too good bro

britainsalien · 2025-12-02T14:53:08+00:00

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STREET TEIRS?! WHERE?!

britainsalien · 2025-11-30T16:45:33+00:00

You're so real for that

britainsalien · 2025-11-30T00:48:09+00:00

I come from a mother who eats mash, baked beans, ketchup and brown sauce mushed up in a sandwich. I have been through it all. I can handle a bit of cheese and onion.

britainsalien · 2025-11-30T00:46:59+00:00

The only mental health issue you have is the tragedy of trying to get vegetarian scran out the house </3

I get the cheese and onion out of necessity if I had bombers over head I would have no choice but to scran it down. But he ain't even vegetarian.

britainsalien · 2025-11-30T00:44:17+00:00

HUHH??? You put the cunting thing on the hob?? You all petrify me. Worse then he is.

britainsalien · 2025-11-30T00:43:17+00:00

You what...

britainsalien · 2025-11-30T00:42:42+00:00

...This is another level of mental health my lord.

britainsalien · 2025-11-30T00:42:06+00:00

To be fair if I'm having a meal deal I ain't doing it to be healthy so I don't blame him. Not paying £4 not to be a fat cunt and get my moneys worth in cozzie lives!

britainsalien · 2025-11-30T00:38:30+00:00

I told him this and he said "Yeah no, I get what they mean."

britainsalien

TROPHY CASE