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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 last year aged 37.  I had struggled a lot with my mental health since adolescence and had basically got to the stage where I felt utterly useless and dysfunctional, particularly because of my failure to build a career, or even to manage to work full-time or hold down a job for more than a couple of years.  My diagnosis changed that quite significantly.  I now can accept myself much better as an autistic person struggling to find a place in a world built for neurotypicals rather than seeing myself as a neurotypical who fails at things for no obvious reason.  I would definitely recommend pursuing a diagnosis if you think it will accept yourself more.

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  • I was diagnosed last year aged 37.  I had struggled a lot with my mental health since adolescence and had basically got to the stage where I felt utterly useless and dysfunctional, particularly because of my failure to build a career, or even to manage to work full-time or hold down a job for more than a couple of years.  My diagnosis changed that quite significantly.  I now can accept myself much better as an autistic person struggling to find a place in a world built for neurotypicals rather than seeing myself as a neurotypical who fails at things for no obvious reason.  I would definitely recommend pursuing a diagnosis if you think it will accept yourself more.

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