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Adult female diagnosis - mum doesn't think I had many childhood traits

NAS72736

Hello. I am an adult female (35) and think I might be autistic and have self-referred to my local autism service. They sent me 3 questionnaires to fill so I did mine (the EQ and AQ tests) which came out with a high likelihood of autism. But my mum filled out the CAST questionnaire for childhood autistic behaviours/traits and I scored quite low on that and my score indicated low or no autistic traits. I have just posted these off and am now waiting to hear.

I am wondering if this will affect the chances of me getting diagnosed with autism. I am worried that based on this CAST questionnaire I will be refused an appointment for diagnosis. My mum just seems to think I was a quiet and shy little girl but that I did very well in school, had no learning disabilities, had friends and had no problems with eye contact, strange behaviours, adherence to routines, etc. I just think my mum probably can't remember what I was like as I am 35 now and it's probably all a bit hazy, either that or she just didn't think any behaviours I did have were unusual (when actually they were!). I also think that the CAST questionnaire focusses on stereotypically male autistic traits.

I think I have so many autistic traits now as an adult woman (including social anxiety, general anxiety, obsessions, rigid thinking, resistance to change, and problems sticking to education and employment) that I am very doubtful that I had so few traits as a child.

Does anybody here have any experience of adult female diagnosis and problems with the developmental history part, especially perhaps with parents not thinking you are autistic or that you had any traits as a child? Would a low CAST score on its own be enough to refuse a diagnosis appointment or do they take into account current traits?

Thanks!

Parents

  • I'm still awaiting assessment, but mine was actually picked up by a counsellor who was helping me with PTSD. I always thought that I had good eye contact, I've worked in forward facing roles for many years and never heard of anyone complaining. She told me that I have a tendency to maintain eye contact, she had a number of occasions where she had to look away because she became uncomfortable. While it's common for it to be a lack of eye contact, it should really just be listed as something like 'non standard eye contact' or something along those lines. It probably does create a bias by promoting only the most common trait over any other.

  • in reply to Loz

    I would agree. With it being very much a brain development issue, there is no brain scan that can tell you you have Autism yet the assessment area seems to be so out of date, restricted and stereo-typical of some of the most debilitating common traits like; you must have shown obvious signs throughout childhood as if you only came out of the womb alone with the traits, you have to have verbal communication problems and avoid eye contact.

    I think it is becoming clearer that these criteria are beginning to sound absurd in their limitations and reading those on here who have already  been publicly and privately diagnosed proves this. It's messy.

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  • in reply to Loz

    I would agree. With it being very much a brain development issue, there is no brain scan that can tell you you have Autism yet the assessment area seems to be so out of date, restricted and stereo-typical of some of the most debilitating common traits like; you must have shown obvious signs throughout childhood as if you only came out of the womb alone with the traits, you have to have verbal communication problems and avoid eye contact.

    I think it is becoming clearer that these criteria are beginning to sound absurd in their limitations and reading those on here who have already  been publicly and privately diagnosed proves this. It's messy.

Children
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