Trying to find info & first hand experiences..
Particularly interested in what criteria they are currently using.. is it DSM V and/or the ICD 10?
For context, I am exploring the possibility of pursuing a diagnosis...
I approached my GP a couple of years ago and was sent for an initial assessment, which decided that they wouldn't send me for the full assessment.
Now, after quite a bit more reading and researching, I am realizing a number of things:
The field of autism is still 'in process'/undecided/unknown what is/isn't. Diagnostic criteria & the diagnoses themselves have shifted significantly within the past 50, even 10 or 20 years.
I have a cluster of traits which seem highly correlated with autism.
Based on my (non-professional, and hence flawed), 'self-diagnosis', according to DSM IV, I would not qualify for ASD, but may qualify for Asperger's or PDD-NOS,
According to DSM V, I probably wouldn't qualify (may not meet criteria for restrictive/repetitive behaviors), but may meet criteria for 'social communication disorder'
According to ICD-10 I may meet criteria for some development disorder. E.g: aspergers/social communication disorder/PDD-NOS..
In other words, in terms of brain-wiring, I seem to be on the 'milder' end of the spectrum. ie: it seems certain to me that my brain is wired in some non-typical way, which is similar to people with aspergers/autism.
The question of what diagnosis I might meet is important & confusing at the same time - particularly when the whole field is still in process... It feels like splitting hairs and based on the initial assessment I'm not totally optimistic that the assessors were totally up to date/aware of everything that I've found while reading etc. over the past year or two. Added to this confusion is the subjectivity of all of it - how different doctors might come up with different diagnoses at different times.
Confusing!
Any experiences/thoughts welcome.
Thanks,
Iain