An Introduction to THE MAG by Stephen Ashfield

 If someone had suggested to me a few months ago that I would be writing this blog, I would have probably looked at them in sheer disbelief. I turned 65 on June 19 but it was only in mid-May of this year that I was diagnosed as being autistic. ADHD looks pretty likely too and my life has really changed in the past month or so.

How did all of this happen at such an advanced age? Well, in August 2025 I had a heart attack and that led to not just physical problems (eight months using a walking stick) but also increased anxiety and some depression. I sought some help from a mental health practictioner and was shocked when after a few appointments she asked me if I'd ever been tested for autism. I hadn't but the rest is now history.

It has been such a shock receiving my diagnosis but I know that many other people also find themselves in this situation. There's been plenty of reflective moments in the past few weeks. I just find myself looking back at my life and realising that the clues were all there. So much now makes sense to me but it has still been difficult to accept what has happened.

Since May I have been attending autism and ADHD groups in Brighton. I've joined several Facebook groups and I'm even studying an OpenLearn course on autism. There is so much more to learn on this voyage of discovery.

What has struck me is that finding out about the many groups and events that are taking place in Brighton is not an easy task. The aim of THE MAG (Monthly Autism/ADHD Guide) is to try and change that. I will publish information about as many local events as I can and never ever send out an advertising invoice. 

That's not all though because there will also be another blog entitled THE MAG EXTRA. This won't solely be about Brighton. It will include articles that give information about books, television shows, podcasts, radio programmes and some news stories. All of this will hopefully help those who read them. 

The first blog is going to be published online at the weekend. Then the second will be online sometime in early July.  If you have any events you would like to have publicised, please email me at mageditoruk@gmail.com.

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