Published on 12, July, 2020
Finally, after 19 months waiting and soul searching, I have my positive diagnosis. I'm just back home after the ADOS which gave the missing piece of the jigsaw to the clinicians. There was more chat & less "tasks" than I expected, but that was all to the good as it helped them to complete the picture.
Thank you so much to all of you for your words of encouragement so far; now we start chapter 2!
yep definitelyi can give myself a reason now fo not attending stuff instead of feeling super guilty,, haven't received my report as of yet thou so not quite sure how to begin chapter 2 , or to process it, but it is a relief that am not losing the plot.
The tasks in the ADOS are designed to initiate interaction between the assessor and the person being assessed. The assessor then observes for symptoms and behaviour classic of ASD such as verbal communication skills (reciprocity etx); eye contact; facial expressions; tone variation; fixed behaviour and all the rest.
I think (from what I've read) that tasks are always part of the ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), which is what this was. The previous assessment I had was just talking, and, though no-one said, I guess that was an ADI (Autism Diagnostic Interview). Do you know which you had?
I am intrigued by the "tasks" you speak of, in my assessment it was entirely verbal ( although my body language was monitored and commented upon in the report) I am curious about what tasks are set during the diagnosis for some. I did think that it would be a good idea to watch me say, assemble a piece of flatpack furniture or some sort of puzzle,
I have often been told that I do absolutely everything differently from "normal" people ( I can't make sense of many instruction leaflets/manuals but usually manage perfectly well doing it "my way". I believe that there would be a lot to learn about someone from watching how they go about physical tasks and that there could possibly be patterns or common difficulties which would make themselves apparent.very quickly for the trained eye.
I did get my diagnosis and I am autistic but I feel convinced still that a broader, deeper examination involving physical tasks would have revealed a lot more..
Thank you Zakybi, yes it is a huge relief and gives me such a succinct way of explaining things to people if I need it.
Yay congratulations, so happy for u, I know how much of a relief it must feel to finally get answers, I was diagnosed around month ago but yh end of one journey beginning of a second one... chapter 2 certainly awaits...
I know, suddenly everything makes sense, If you are offered any aftercare I would accept, even if its just to discuss disclosure and who you want or not to know, don't make any rushed decissions in relation to who you tell or not, have a good think before you tell anybody its a shock even if you know you would get a positive diagnosis its still a shock... And yes the term Limbo land that was so real for me also and to be free ffom it is really liberating, enjoy...x
Thank you - yes a huge weight lifted! No more limbo-land!
Thank you :-)
Congratulations, that must be a real weight off your mind, hope it does anyway it did me when I had my diagnosis.
congrats!
Thank you - indeed a new chapter :-)
Thank you :-) Yes I'm certainly a bit drained by the whole thing but happy with the outcome.
Yes - I've probably written (and later deleted) more about this than anything else. I used to blog to work things out, then deleted the site one day thinking that no-one was reading. We all tread our own path but in many ways are all following the same route. Time to chill mentally, & I've gone from near suicidal to wishing I was ten years younger so I had more life left!
Congrats and well done for getting through it. I know how stressful I found it on the day, but like you felt a massive relief after, and from the sounds of it, you were in a similar position to me where I spent so much time worrying about why I had problems, whereas for me and you alike, we now have the answer. No need to stress about why you are getting stressed now. It's just because we are special. Stay positive and all the best for the future.
Glad to hear it all went well! From what I've been reading it's been a long process, and pretty stressful. Glad to know you have peace of mind!
Congratulatons on getting the answers you need in life! Have a good rest, you deserve it!
Thanks, yes happy and relieved and relieved and happy :-)
It feels fab not to be waiting anymore for sure, and it has driven away worries about hypochondria & given me even more permission to be kind to myself & not compare myself with others.
Congratulations! How does it feel?
Glad you don't have this uncertainty and the continuous saga anymore..
Oooh! I think congratulations are in order?
You sound happy and relieved and that's what counts.