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Pursue a diagnosis?

Purple

I'm 37 years old, a mother, have a successful career as a transport modeller... and in recent years, it has dawned on me I'm autistic.  Every time I read a list of traits, I tick SO MANY boxes!  I did an online Autism Quotient test (it said it was Prof Baron Cohen's one) and it gave me a score of 44/50.

I've always had difficulty fitting in - hate social situations, say the wrong thing (or at least in the wrong way), don't make eye contact, know I'm different - so I'm glad there seems to be a good reason for it.

But should I pursue a formal diagnosis?  I discussed the above with my GP (also Asperger's, I gather) and she basically said the wait's really long and I don't sound like I need any support, so she doesn't see the point.  (The context for this was that we were discussing a different health issue and she said I sounded "flat" and I should make another appointment to discuss my mood - so why she now thinks I don't need support, when undiagnosed autism is a leading cause of depression in women like me, I'm not sure.)

I want a diagnosis because I like certainty.  And because if I'm going to bring it up at work (they're all into their Diversity & Inclusion), I don't want to feel like a fraud.  But there are probably people in greater need of a diagnosis than me, so would I be wasting the NHS's time?

Parents

  • It is not just a question of 'active support', having a diagnosis can help with gaining accommodations from employers, not being discriminated against in job interviews etc. I was diagnosed at 59, and I personally found it very useful. Not materially, as I had just taken early retirement, but as a validation of why I had felt different all my life and as an explanation of my difficulties, limitations and problems. To dismiss out of hand someone who thinks that they have a disability, from accessing a diagnosis on the grounds that they can cope with life, is very poor.  

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  • It is not just a question of 'active support', having a diagnosis can help with gaining accommodations from employers, not being discriminated against in job interviews etc. I was diagnosed at 59, and I personally found it very useful. Not materially, as I had just taken early retirement, but as a validation of why I had felt different all my life and as an explanation of my difficulties, limitations and problems. To dismiss out of hand someone who thinks that they have a disability, from accessing a diagnosis on the grounds that they can cope with life, is very poor.  

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