Published on 12, July, 2020
I had never heard of autism until my nephew was diagnosed around 6 years ago. I started researching and found I have a lot of the social problems associated with autism. I done a few online assessments and all of them said im on the spectrum. I spoke to my GP and he said it is very likely that i am autistic but he wouldn't want to label me. I have a good job and im in a long term relationship but i know that something is wrong and have always felt different. Im not stupid but my social IQ is low and it bothers me everyday. How will i go about trying to get a diagnosis?
What negative effects could a diagnosis have?
Medical reocrds is not a problem I'm aware of. I tell medical staff straight away as I'm, like some other with ASC, who have a random tolerance to pain, joys of getting injured from the milder sides of extreme sports.
The short answer is "it depends"
To start off with I spiralled down as far as it was possible. My partner was very supportive, it was just enough. I actually wondered if I made the correct decision to get labelled.
A few years later I'm content with the diagnosis & relieved that I did. And yes there were a few snafus along the way.
I can get overloaded with certain sounds so now I don't even try and "normalise" certain situations. So a baby or kids start screaming I will beat a polite but hasty retreat. Whereas before I tried to cope, tried CBT, etc it only made things worse.
I don't hide my Asperger's nor do I flaunt it. Family, friends & management know, so it does ease things. But some "friends" & some management have tried to exploit the situation but that's life and shows them for the people that they are.
You have to think clearly whether it would help you to have a diagnosis on your medical records or whether you would rather it was something you kept to yourself and family
Did you find the diagnosis helped you? Thanks for your reply
I didn't get my diagnosis until I was 40.
I asked the doctor to refer me to a specialist after showing him the Cambridge online assessment form. 1st time they said I might be, but then managed to get a second assessment which stated there was no 'might' about it. If there is a local charity dealing with autism I suggest you approach them for advice.
For me the proper assessment was emotionally painful, I didn't realise how many coping mechanisms I used to use to hide my social inabilities. Once you have a diagnosis there is no going back, and no magic pill. Took some time, with a number of setbacks to get in tune with my Aspergers.