As a person with aspergers myself and an ambassador for the national autistic society and autism strategy board member I say there is a lot of point in getting a diagnosis even if it may be a long and frustrating process and I am talking from personal experience (from the horses mouth so to say). Since the autism act was bought in there is now better strategies to deal with diagnosis and support and multi agencies in place to help those with autism related conditions if needed. So I say to you to harass your GP until they act because previously getting a formal diagnosis led to nothing but that's all changed. This is 2012 not 1912 so go for it and if you need any further help or advice please feel free to contact me.

Ok I have spoken to the court that issued the fines and the exact amount outstanding is £1467.99p but Marstons are claiming I have to pay them over £1700 and I mentioned that to the lady at the court and she said they can apply their own fees which is not what it says on the HMCS document I read so i am really confused now.

Regarding the NAS and Government strategy for autistic adults I'm assisting both here in Plymouth not only with input from a genuine autistic persons perspective (which eliminates all the neurotypical guesswork that goes on) but also in working to set up a scheme in Plymouth which will not only benefit autistic people themselves who feel isolated and have difficulties making friends but also help to give their carers and families some time off too. As a rule for adults there really isnt much out there at all in the way of help or support or at least a fraction of what there is available to youngsters and families affected by autism and thats why I am campaigning so hard in the south west and online to change that because when an autistic person loses their family and has to survive on their own in a world that is strange and confusing to them with no social skills thats when help is needed more but sadly so far a lot of agencies are under the impression that a person stops being autistic once they reach adulthood. I will change the rules though and make the world a better place for autistic adults and no longer will they have to live reclusive lives and shy away from an ignorant society that both doesnt understand or want to understand. Diagnosis is a double edged sword really it has its good points and bad points at the end of the day its the individuals decision.

£449.59p already paid sorry

Are you sure about that because that would be vital information to me. When I spoke to the court that issued the fines they said the total fines was £1737.55p and that £449.69p had already been paid. I'm not the best when it comes to maths but that leaves £1287.96p and not £1700+ that Marstons is asking for so where has the extra £500 come from?

In total the amount owed they claim is £1700 which is made up of 3 seperate fines imposed in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and I wasnt diagnosed formally until 2009 so the court and everyone else would have been completely unaware of my autism and therefore sentenced me according to the rulebook little knowing the fines would probably never be paid.

When I recieved the fine it was before my diagnosis so nobody was aware that I had Aspergers so at the time it was probably an appropriate sentence but in 2009 when I was diagnosed it has made clear about why I have always had difficulty managing and budgeting. I live on the top floor and there is an electronic door entry system on the ground floor and my buzzer is switched off most of the time so people dont buzz me all the time wanting to be let in so unless someone else lets them in ever they wont get near me because I only ever let 2 people into my home and they are my close friends. Will the case have to be returned to court for re-evaluation following the new evidence about my Aspergers because I dont really understand much about all this but agree with you about it being an inappropriate sentence for someone who cannot manage money.

My friend tried to phone Marstons on my behalf to discuss things with them but their so called Customer contact centre only has options to make payment and none to actually speak to someone so we have decided to forget about it until they contact me again which they said they would do yesterday at 12 but I received no call.

My username is Plymaspie because I live in Plymouth and people with Aspergers are known as Aspies just in case you got confused by my name. I have never learn money or budgeting skills so thats why my friend helps me with things like paying bills and shopping etc because if left up to me things wouldnt get paid and I wouldnt eat. My landlord has been very helpful regarding my rent because they understand my difficulties and have explained one figure I need to pay and when it needs to be paid and the same with my electric but Marstons dont seem to have the same willingness to understand and its really worrying me. Being born with Aspergers it doesnt take much for me to feel distressed and anxious even the smallest thing like a tv programme I like to watch not being on or a change in the weather so you can imagine what effect the pressure from Marstons is having.

I was diagnosed with Aspergers in December 2009 but sadly there is very little help and support out there for adults with aspergers so in some ways its best not to know if you know what I mean because if you're an adult you're deemed able to cope and will be refused a lot of help and support from agencies such as adult social services etc. I live on my own in a housing association flat and dont work and receive fortnightly benefits and thats my life. I rarely leave the flat because I dont feel comfortable in public and I have no family since my mother passed away in September 2008 so life is very isolated for me but I've always been a bit of a loner anyway. Having a diagnosis doesnt guarantee you'll get this that and everything especially if you're an adult on the spectrum. I was recognised in 2010 as Britains Most Bring it on Brit for my spirit and determination to succeed despite being autistic and am now concentrating on trying to set up a local befriending scheme for autistic adults and youngsters in my area and campaigning for services for autistic adults. At the end of the day the decision whether to get a diagnosis or not is up to you but take it from me life wont really change much if you do get a formal diagnosis.

I received a telephone call from Marstons saying I owe them £1700 for unpaid court fines from a few years ago. I know I got fined but due to my having aspergers syndrome im not very good at understanding or managing finances so they went unpaid. What do I do because I have only just managed to become settled again after the death of my mother in 2008 and am really scared at what they will do to me because the only income I have is my incapacity benefit each fortnight and have very little possessions and none of any value. This is causing me great distress and anxiety and since they have contacted me I havent slept and my patterns and routines have been thrown into chaos. Marstons told my friend who phoned them on my behalf that I could not pay in instalments because its been a long time that the fine has gone unpaid but is there any way at all given my disability and circumstances that it could be returned to the original court to be dealt with because I am really scared. I dont have a support worker or anyone official who helps me only my friend who every fortnight helps me to pay my rent and other bills from my benefit and helps me with shopping to buy food.