I think I have Autism... Should I get an assessment,

After doing a lot of reading for over a year I would like to get an assessment but would like others opinions incase I waste the dr's time. Here is some of my background.

From the age of 2 plus:
I was a late talker and could not talk to extended family, only my parents.
I would only talk when spoken to and would not start a conversation.
I was unable to do any imaginative play or use my imagination for drawings or making anything.
Loud sirens used to make me panic.
I only ever had one friend at a time.
Used to have a big interest in birds and bird watching, making notes etc.
Struggle to imagine what someone looks like when reading a book for example
Was told by others I was rude and I couldn't say certain things.

As I have got older 20 plus I have noticed:
I still cannot initiate a conversation.
I hide behind my partner a lot and will avoid situations in which I would have to talk to someone.
Change of routine bothers me and if my partner dosn't do things how I would do them stresses me out.
I have meltdowns when over stressed, routine changes and I need a lot of alone time to calm down.
I have listened to the same track of music for the last 6 months plus.
Too much noise stresses me out and I need to leave the room.
I cannot concentrate on a conversation if given too much info at once, I almost just switch off.
I always needs to make notes/lists to manage a lot of info.
I cannot answer the phone when it rings however I have learnt to book appointments.
Any social situation makes me so anxious.
I am the last to understand a joke and most of the time will need it explained.
I can be very blunt and don't always take into consideration how someone else feels.
I struggle to understand if someone is trying to give me helpful advice, being sarcastic or snapping at me.
Depending on my mood I cannot stand being touched and need my space.
A day out has to be planned to the T and weekends when partner is home has to be planned as it is out of my usual routine.
I never talk about my emotions.

Any advice would be welcome!!

Parents
  • A lot depends on your life - if it's low stress and you're doing ok, then take your 'self diagnosis' as a wake-up to change details in your life to create more happiness for yourself - learn about it and work out just how it affects you and make it better.    I think you'll find that you can boil almost everything down to the inability to deal with anxiety and over sensitivity to stimulus - basically, your fight-or-flight response is set permanently to MAX.     

    Finding way to reduce stress will serve you well.

    BUT - if you are employed somewhere that is stressing you or your life is starting to come apart, a diagnosis can help you fight your corner if it comes to the crunch - you can ask for reasonable adjustments at work to help you succeed and you might be able to claim PIP benefits.

    BTW - an NHS diagnosis can take up to 2 years - just because of their inefficiencies - a private diagnosis can be done in weeks - cost might be between £800 - £2000.

    If you are employed, you could have company health insurance that might pay for a private diagnosis.

  • BTW - an NHS diagnosis can take up to 2 years - just because of their inefficiencies

    ........ aided by austerity and crippling funding cuts since 2010. 

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