Firstly, I hope that no one minds me joining here.
I have, after a long wait, just received my diagnostic report and although it has been noted that although, I demonstrate a failure to maintain eye to eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction, nor demonstrate a lack of social reciprocity and have a weak integration of social, emotional and communication behaviours. I am not autistic.
My need for routine was attributed to being a busy working parent (so you'd need a regime to get through that, right). My low self worth and anxiety have caused me to struggle and not maintain relationships or sustain friendships attributed to some challenging life experiences. It seems a case that things have been interpreted that the challenges I faced/face are down to difficult life experiences, not that autism and an ability to articulate wants or needs has led such experiences to be gone through.
I found the assessment process a real challenge. Questions rattled through, misconstrued, no probing of impact. My responses reiterated back to me (often incorrectly) and then scribbled down. Each misinterpretation chiselled away at my hope to be understood at last.
I sat through the assessment like "a mute behind a glass wall". Was the assessor unable to hear my words or was I just unable to articulate sufficiently well to be heard.
Can anyone else relate to this?
Thank you if you have taken time to read this post. I hope it has not caused offence. I wish you all well.
