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I believe I'm autistic, my doctor insists I'm not

DoodleDiscord

I'm a 21 year old female. I've displayed behaviors and had odd, obsessive interests since I could remember, often info dumping about random subjects like a wikipedia page. For a long time, my parents convinced me I wasnt autistic and dissuaded me from getting tested, but as an adult I finally worked up the courage to address  my suspicion with the help of my therapist. However, he is insisting that I do not require any testing whatsoever, and that he has decided himself that I am not on the spectrum. I act identically to my best friend who is on the spectrum, and both of our lives are affected with the same behaviors. What should I do? I have asked to be tested anyway and asked for information about doing so, and my therapist refuses and changes the subject. Help.

  • As some have said write all your traits down; everything; all your stims however minor; all your 1:1 interactions - strangers at a bus stop to work colleagues. I had over 100 lines. I then self diagnosed directly with an NHS autistic practice. I was sceptical of being diagnosed as a 55 year old with limited childhood evidence. I was diagnosed at my first appointment.

  • in reply to DoodleDiscord
    In addition to what I wrote above:
    DoodleDiscord said:
    Sadly I am in the US, Washingon to be specific. So the tests I had taken before that were for UK based services arent able to help me as much.

    Perhaps as far as things go with getting diagnosed (and paid) by way of a university research project ~ going through the according ARC list of tests may be useful for an application to be in a research 'cohort' (group).

    DoodleDiscord said:
    I have no idea who to call or how to pursue any financial aid to be formally tested. I'm just desperate, as is my family. :(

    If you have not already perhaps found it ~ consider the following information and link:

    Research Projects

    The University of Washington Autism Center Research Network is currently conducting a number of studies focusing on the causes and treatments for autism spectrum disorder. If you are interested in participating in research at the UW Autism Center, please call us at 1.877.408.UWAC.

    https://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/research-projects/

  • in reply to DoodleDiscord
    DoodleDiscord said:
    Sadly I am in the US, Washingon to be specific. So the tests I had taken before that were for UK based services arent able to help me as much. I have no idea who to call or how to pursue any financial aid to be formally tested. I'm just desperate, as is my family. :(

    This is something from the Wrong Planet forum in the united states that might be worth a try diagnostically perhaps?

    kate123A stated:

    I have no job and virtually no money for much of anything. I went for a research diagnosis where they did a sensory study on me and I got paid for the whole thing. I suggest you look into that big universities and sensory study or some such.

    https://wrongplanet.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=137024&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

    Here follows is also ten pages of links [from Wrong Planet] on getting diagnosed without insurance USA wise if they help any?

  • Sadly I am in the US, Washingon to be specific. So the tests I had taken before that were for UK based services arent able to help me as much. I have no idea who to call or how to pursue any financial aid to be formally tested. I'm just desperate, as is my family. :(

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    I was under a PDOC when my referral was made, he insisted I wasn't autistic. I kept bringing this up at appointments and after a long time he eventually gave me the screener questionnaire to prove to me I wasn't autistic. I filled this in and sent it off to my NHS trust and after a full assessment received my diagnosis. A lot of medical professionals only have a very basic understanding of what ASC is.

    If you get nowhere with this GP see another, even change practices if you have to inorder to be listened to.

  • There are a number of online tests such as the AQ50 (Autistic Quotient 50 questions) test that indicate whether it might be worth getting referred for a diagnosis, with the AQ50 involving a test result on or above 32. Here follows is a link to a whole ream of tests from the Autism Research Center (ARC) at Cambridge University, so perhaps do the most applicable for you age-wise and use them as evidence for seeking a referral for diagnosis:

    https://www.autismresearchcentre.com/arc_tests

    If you score enough (or even already have) to think an assessment is required, you can telephone (at any time) the NAS (National Autistic Society) helpline: 0808 800 4104 ~ you will hear a recorded message, thereafter choose Option 1.) To request an information pack to be sent to you, then Option 1 again for an adult version of which, and then finally leave your full name and address, and state that you are an Adult rather than a Parent, Student or Researcher. The information pack should arrive in a couple of weeks ~ and it will give you guidance on going about getting referred for assessment, and whats involved.