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undiagnosed but beginning to think I'm on the spectrum

Simmo

Hi, my name is Graham. I have struggled socially for as long as I can remember, I have depression, anxiety and low self esteem. Having listened to a radio discussion about adults with autism last week I found myself identifying with quite a few of the speakers. I am seriously considering trying to get a proper diagnosis. I took an online test which says I am moderately autistic. I am aware of the AQ10 test which GP's use for referrals. But that is 50% about an inability to "read" others. That is not where my Autistic traits are showing. Due to trust issues and being lied to from an early age I have studied people so have developed a pretty good understanding of body language, tone, facial expressions etc. Would my ability to do these things mean I am dismissed as a potential autistic person? in other areas I fit the bill, and don't want to be "missed" because some of the most universally accepted "symptoms" don't fit with me  

  • in reply to Deleted User

    Yep, I can relate to this, if you're good at analytical and logical thinking then fooling people into thinking your normal 99% of the time is certiainly possible, albeit congnitively draining. This is one of the barriers I have come across, IMO there is a distinct difference between inate understanding of body language/facial expressions and cognitive analysis and "doing what is expected" given the circumstances. I definitely fall into the latter category, but I guess in the short term I am pretty good at "winging it". It may pass 99% of the time but it doesn't preclude there being something more to it worthy of investigation.

  • in reply to NAS73695

    It's nice to read this wonderfully upbeat reply to Graham, I bet it has helped reassure loads of others also.

  • in reply to Dawn

    I didn't even know this is what I did. Until I read about AS and realised it in myself. 

  • in reply to Deleted User

    Observed, ANALYSED, and learned! Exactly!

    Yep! Yep! Yep!

    ...to the point I can teach and train...

    Thing is, I thought that's what everyone did, but apparently not! No wonder life has been hard work.

  • go for it thats the only way u are going to know

  • If you feel different, it's probably because you are. I was diagnosed earlier this year. I'm very "functional" in life but realised it's come at a cost to my mental health.  Im good at reading othets in some situations, but in others im rubbish. I would say for some people on the spectrum they are REALLY GOOD at this sort of thing because they have observed, anslysed and learnt over the years. What do you have to lose by going for an assessment? You will get some sort of answer, one way or another.

    There's info online about how AS difficulties can be more in some specific areas rather than all (hence a spectrum rather than a linear line):

    the-art-of-autism.com/.../

  • in reply to Deleted user

    You're right, it's not living!! And the ability to work... that doesn't tell doctors anything, it's often irrelevant if u are high functioning. Sounds like you've had shitty experience 

    Professionals aren't always right, they aren't always educated and they don't always do the right thing...

  • in reply to NAS73695

    About 5 yrs ago i asked for ADHD assessment(was wrong then,Autism ticked whole life!),GP just referred to place for Autism and ADHD(left out questionaires ion ADHD ! Lol).

    Then pointed out at first assessment that i not affected much-i said thats cos i probably learnt coping mechanisms. But avoiding nearly all of society to avoid stress isnt living,and cos i worked in past doesnt mean i didnt have seizures! They brought up my emails were agressive(ex thought not!),and 2nd assessment brought it out of nowhere before saying ADHD most likely! FFS!

  • Hi Graham

    I've just joined NAS and this is only my 3rd post ever so sorry for any errors. I've been recently diagnosed and am also a nurse, so here is my input:

    - You don't necessarily need to meet any criteria to be referred. I wrote to my GP asking for a referral and gave my reasons. They did it. If you think they'll say no, just pre-empt this by asking for their reasons for refusal in writing in the letter.

    - I also worried about being too functional and maybe not having "typical" symptoms! But I didn't need to worry! ASD diagnosis is so unbelievably thorough (we are talking over 30 pages of different questionnaires) (people get diagnosed with schizophrenia with less investigation) and also they are aware that people in middle age coming for diagnosis will have learned a certain amount over the years to cope. My consultant understood that completely, she was fantastic.

    In summary I'd say not to worry too much - they look at EVERYTHIIIING in your life when assessing you, nothing will be missed believe me.

    You can then tell them all the things you specifically struggle with. Blush

  • I think it depends. These things can be learned. I haven't done a bad job either of learning them. Still don't get a lot of jokes though.  There are issues which were very marked in childhood  but aren't very obvious now for me. Others have got much worse as I have gotten older. 

    I believe the criteria just say that they should all have been there in early childhood, even if you have since found ways of coping.