Just sharing some thoughts and hoping for some suggestions / thoughts..........
My diagnostic report tells me that I meet the criteria for deficits in social communication and interaction, but when it comes to the other necessary criterion of restricted and repetitive behaviours, I meet only one of the two required subcategories (I meet the "sensory differences" one).
This means I would have a positive diagnosis if I met the criteria for any of a) stereotyped and repetitive behaviours, b) restricted and fixated interests or c) response to routine and change.
I think I can agree with my report that I don't meet these - but I can see them in myself, especially the relief from stress that I get from being absorbed in a hobby, and my dislike of doing things that are outside my routine. But maybe this is normal. It strikes me as difficult to call objectively and I have to trust the expertise of the assessment team here.
I have been referred for an ADOS test, but I really can't see how this will change anything, as the ADOS test focuses on "communication, social interaction, and play (or imaginative use of materials)" - which won't offer anything to modify the call already made on the criteria that I don't meet the threshold for.
I've learned through this process that what matters is that I understand myself and give myself permission to be kind to myself, and the report helps me by stating that I *do* have differences in social behaviours and sensory sensitivity - and to be honest these are the ones that I know cause me stress and having that reflected formally is helpful.
I guess I'm just left wondering what's *actually* different about my brain. But I guess none of us knows this in detail anyway!
But I'm also left feeling a little deflated and not hopeful that the ADOS test - with another wait, travel & day off work, and another wait after that - will help with anything.
There is also the issue of feeling a little like a fraud now, but I guess I can deal with that!
