Post-Diagnostic Autism Assessments later in life diagnosis

I also had no idea there was anything available post diagnosis for people on the spectrum. I was diagnosed in 2005, at the time I was told there was no additional support available. I did have connections with the local autism team in my area for a while, before govt cuts closed it down. I don't know if any such team exists now - support tends to be for those with intellectual disabilities or other conditions, which doesn't really apply to me. I had great support at university through the disability office and an NAS autism mentor (two, actually) but that was paid for by disabled student allowance. That's the only support I've ever been offered because of my diagnosis.

I would so much benefit from having a mentor like those I had at university in my day to day life to help me manage applications, forms, finances, and other stuff I struggle with because of my logistics and executive function. Not to mention my navigation. But I don't think those exist outside the university system. They certainly don't exist here.

I think some distinctions are helpful and some are not. I've been told a lot of times by a lot of people that because I don't have a co-ocurring intellectual impairment that I don't need help. In fact my MR in my PIP claim based his entire rejection on that despite all the evidence to the contrary and the proof of support I had at university.

Right now I have to rely on family a lot more than I did when at university, because I no longer have those mentors. But I really don't think there's much understanding of support needs in autism outside social/behavioural ones and I don't really see anything in manifestos to suggest that will change.