Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi All
Looking for a wee bit of help and advice.
I recently went for an autism assessment and got my results back yesterday and not sure what do to now, if anything.
Basically, the assessor has advised that I am not on the autism spectrum and provided me with some of the reasoning behind that decision.
To give a little bit of background about myself, I am in my early 40s and a couple of years ago, my then 16 year old son was diagnosed as being autistic which made me start to look at my own behaviour over the years, so finally decided to get an assessment.
One of the issues I have with the results of my own assessment, is not the outcome in itself, but the reasons provided for the outcome.
They mainly focused on what I was like growing up, stating the fact that I had friends going through school and that I performed reasonably well in school and I didn't show signs or hand flapping or rocking back and forth and movements like that. The assessor mentioned that I was very likeable during the assessment as well.
One of my concerns is that my son doesn't present any of those traits either, had lots of friends at school, was really well liked by his teachers, can come across really nice and friendly, in general, but he is absolutely on the autism spectrum.
I was mainly expecting to be told I was autistic, I have stimmed most of my life, I have a very limited diet, I have no close friends, actually have very little friends at all and have struggled for the last 25 years in making friends and some other things as well.
So my question is, what should I do now, is there any point is requesting a second opinion from the same organisation that have already stated that they don't believe I am on the spectrum or just accept their diagnosis and try and move on and do what I can?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I’ve been pondering the same kind of stuff about my childhood for when assessment comes around. I was likeable. Had friends albeit limited. I didn’t stim. I fidgeted - tore paper into small pieces - chair rocked - nail biter etc. but got through ok and have always been able to manage and learn. But I’d happily be on my own than with others. Reading was a struggle. Getting mixed up. Reading aloud words out of sequence cos my brain had already seen a word further down the line etc. I’d more like skim work and memorise the information the previous evening before say a test. The thump in my chest before they asked people to read aloud parts of a book was the most frightening thing I can recall in school. I’m 46 so back then you just coped. My parents in mid 70’s won’t really understand this and what I’m going through so also concerned on what they might say if they are included. I’m just being stupid apparently - they might see the traits now but it’s probably a reflection on them when I was young so therefore it never happened! In 2 years I’ll let you know how I got on!!!!!! ps… get another opinion
I had the same problem with reading aloud, my speed of comprehension when reading was much faster than my ability to translate the text into spoken words, so I tended to skip words, get lost and come to an embarrassing halt.