Published on 12, July, 2020
I have been through 3 assessment sessions and given over 60 pages of experiences struggles and examples from childhood till now. My mother came with me for support and to give early childhood input. The whole process I found to be incredibly draining.
I have my outcome meeting this week. My appointment is this Wednesday 3rd May. I'm scared as I'm not sure how I will react to either an ASD diagnosis or something else or nothing.
Either outcome is a big range of possible emotions for me and I'm not sure I will be able to regulate my emotions at all.
Is anyone else in this situation as well? I really would like to chat with you or others that can tell me what this outcome appointment is like or was like for them.
Sorry for a disjointed post, I'm pretty scatty at the moment.
Regards
Plex
Hi Plex
I was diagnosed in May but it seems your process was very long winded. Mine was a simple 2-hour long interview answering questions. There was no paperwork involved at all for me. I expected the outcome but was surprised by my reaction. I felt crushed and suddenly felt my whole life was a lie and that I'd been trying so hard to be what people expected me to be, was wasn't really sure who the real me was.
Now that some time has passed I'm getting used to my label and things are making sense to me know. Work has been good about it and now understand some of my 'little ways' has a reason behind it.
I didn't plan on joining forums and seeking help, but my curiosity lead me to here and I'm glad I did. Reading other people's experiences has helped me identify my own. I'm not entirely sure what actions of mine are autistic or NT. But at least I know I'm not being awkward, insensitive and the other comments I've had thrown at me - sometimes I'm oblivious to my action's outcomes. Hopefully, once people know they're not deliberate, they'll be more understanding and less critical. I think in time, my label will be a help whereas initially it suddenly felt like a burden.
Regards, Lee
Hi Plex,
I received my ASD diagnosis recently - two months ago, in fact. I wasn't sure how I was going to react if I did get a diagnosis of ASD, and when I was told, I didn't feel much different than before.
In my case, I think it's a case of gradually getting used to seeing myself on the autistic spectrum. My sister, who is not an autism professional, but works as a TA with autistic children, said it would probably take a while to get used to the diagnosis. When one is older (I'm 57), living most of one's life in a neurotypical world, you suddenly find that many things you have had problems with are explained. With the diagnosis you are suddenly looking through the world with a new autistic perspective, so to speak.
I did think to myself many times before the interview how I would react if autism wasn't diagnosed, and I decided I would carry on trying to find out why I seemed to have the problems I did. As it is, I did receive the diagnosis, and it was certainly a relief, and answered many questions.
If anything, I would just perhaps consider the outcomes you'd like, and perhaps write them down to familiarise yourself with them, so that whatever the outcome, you have a sort of "map" of what you want to do, and to ask.
I think it's quite natural to be apprehensive about the day, but don't worry too much about it.
Hope all goes well for you on Wednesday.