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Getting diagnosis (adult) - yes or no

NAS77223

Hello,  

I am in my late 30s and considering looking into an Autism diagnosis for myself. My son has recently been diagnosed, he is 8 years old. I have suffered mental health since being a teenager although I manage it on the whole well now. I have identified many traits in myself through learning about Autism through my son.  I have also completed the NAS quiz which resulted in a score indicating "significant Autistic traits". I have spoke to my local GP practice who advised against it saying "we are all on the spectrum somewhere and as an adult there is no benefit to getting one". If I'm really honest I felt really sad about these comments as I feel getting a diagnosis will help me understand myself and accept myself more. It may also help my son which is the most important thing to me. Has anyone else felt this way or could give me advice/opinions?

Kind Regards. 

Parents

  • I was diagnosed at 59 and it was so very useful to me. Not materially, as I had taken early retirement and do not need much support in being retired, though had I still been working then accommodations by my employers would have helped. The benefit was through a sense of validation - I was not a person with a random collection of odd traits and difficulties, who was not good at coping with life, I was an autistic person who was doing a remarkably good job of coping with a society that was very poorly designed for me. Additionally, it allowed me to forgive myself for past failings, and explained why I experienced certain difficulties that were inexplicable beforehand.

    It also allowed me to find the autistic community and find many people similar to me.

  • in reply to Martin

    Thank you Martin and I am glad you got validation you needed. You make some excellent points here that I have taken on board. You have clearly been successful in understanding and managing your Autism, well done and cheers for the support x

  • in reply to NAS77223

    Good of you to respond so kindly. Private autism assessments do not need a GP referral, or any involvement, but they seem to be around £1,000 in price at present. They are also very significantly faster.

  • in reply to Martin

    Yes ... you just need to be very careful who you choose.  I did mine privately, but the guy who did was also a senior Consultant Psychiatrist in the NHS. But some people offering this service aren't very credible.

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