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?
