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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  

Parents

  • 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

    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.

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  • 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.

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