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Apparently I cannot possibly have Autism because...

Entropy

Hi everyone!

My partner recently pointed out to me that I show a lot of autistic traits so I've been doing a lot of reading about the signs and symptoms and it really does sound like me. I've read so many stories and forums and it all sounds very familiar and I really feel like I can relate. I actually started to feel a bit better and like I understood myself more. I wasn't just "weird" but there could be an actual diagnosis and lots of other people out there like me! However, I wasn't happy to just self-diagnose so I booked a doctor's appointment to request a referral to a specialist... but according to this person there is no chance that I have Autism. 

Apparently someone with Autism:

- Would not be able to graduate from university

- Would not be able to have a job

- Would have speech delays and not be able to talk like a regular person

- Would not be able to be in a relationship

- Would need to live with parents or require a social worker to cope

Apparently, most of what is on the internet is wrong and I'm just seeing these autistic traits because I read about it...

I don't want to start listing all my traits in this post, whether or not I have ASD is a separate topic. I definitely don't think I explained myself well during the phone call (anxiety, brain fog, confusing questions), but I also feel like he just ignored a lot of what I said. Has anyone else had a similar interaction with their GP? I am a little surprised that a doctor could be so narrow-minded and dismissive.  

I don't know where to go from here. I feel really disheartened. 

Parents

  • Who told you these things? Autism Speaks? Because all of those points are absolute rubbish. People with autism can absolutely be capable of doing all of those things. Autism affects everyone differently. Some people might struggle with things like holding down a job whereas others thrive. There are plenty of very highly successful individuals in society with autism - Elon Musk recently said on Saturday Night Live that he has Asperger's Syndrome.

    If a GP has said this then they shouldn't be a GP because these are extremely harmful views that have proven to be untrue. I would even go so far as to report them for making such claims because no knowledgeable healthcare professional in 2021 should EVER be making such claims. 

    Definitely see a different GP. I'm absolutely furious just reading this! I myself am a woman on the spectrum that masks enough to have been able to hold down jobs, have regular relationships, live without the need for social care and communicate effectively in certain situations. 

    What you have been told is absolutely ludicrous! Don't feel disheartened. You are not the one in the wrong here - they are. You went to them to be referred for diagnosis, right? That means they themselves aren't able to diagnose you because they don't have the specialist skills and knowledge to be able to do so. I received my diagnosis back in December and my GP did a checklist questionnaire to see if I met the criteria to be put forward for diagnosis. It is my belief that this is what should have also been done for you too. 

    If you believe yourself to be on the spectrum, don't give up here! Keep pushing for referral to a specialist and complain/report anyone that does not handle your request with respect and dignity or makes false assumptions. That is NOT how a professional should handle your case. OOF! 

  • in reply to KJ

    Thank you so much for your reply. You've mentioned a lot of things that I thought/felt and it really helps to know others agree with me and are on my side. 

    It was a doctor at my GP surgery, but not one I've ever spoken to before. My partner wants to file a complaint against them but I don't know if I should. I might ask to speak to someone else but I'm now concerned that they will have the same view. After speaking to this doctor this morning I felt so crushed and I don't know if I can go through it again. 

    I didn't agree with him at all, and I thought what he was saying was extremely ignorant and outdated but he's the doctor and I didn't feel like I could correct him (especially as I am rather new to this). I've read stories from so many people with autism who work, study and have relationships and I felt so angry that he was disregarding my own experiences and theirs. I tried to argue some points but I got so jumbled and by the end I was just shaking and trying not to cry so I just let him ramble on. 

    He said he was going through some required questions but it seemed very generalized and not specific to autism. I had assumed that they would use the AQ-10 or similar as I had read beforehand that that was in the guidelines but what he used mentioned things like did I feel like hurting people or have delusions? It's ridiculous that there are medical professionals out there advising people when they have no idea about what they're talking about! 

    Even though it seems everyone here agrees that he was wrong, I do still feel less confident about whether I would be diagnosed. I think I might still like to pursue it as it could potentially answer a lot of questions for me but I am also worried about running into other people with views similar to his. 

  • in reply to Entropy

    GPs aren't always willing to give you the time of day. I once went to a Doctor because of a nasty pain in my foot, I told them it wasn't normal, got told 'lose some weight' and 'take Ibuprofen and rest it for a week' After two years of pain and constant painkillers, I had major foot surgery to reshape my foot and RE-ATTACH the tendon that had come away from the bone. 

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  • in reply to Entropy

    GPs aren't always willing to give you the time of day. I once went to a Doctor because of a nasty pain in my foot, I told them it wasn't normal, got told 'lose some weight' and 'take Ibuprofen and rest it for a week' After two years of pain and constant painkillers, I had major foot surgery to reshape my foot and RE-ATTACH the tendon that had come away from the bone. 

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