My daughter was having cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety and her counsellor suggested that she might be autistic, and, from my daughter's description of me, that I might also be.
Apart from the considerable price, I found that private assessment suited me as it was quick and relatively painless. I also had no confidence in getting a referral from my GP practice. Partly because. on the surface, I function fairly well in society.
No. I knew I was odd in some ways, that I had social limitations and peculiar sensory reactions, but I had no idea that they were part of me being autistic. This is because all I knew about autism were 'Rain Man' and the stereotypical 'silent child rocking in a corner, not interacting with anyone'.
No. Once I realised that I might be autistic, I researched the condition extensively. This made me certain that I was autistic. However, I needed, for my own validation, a diagnosis, so I paid for a private assessment. I have no regrets over finding out why I am as I am. I have regrets over not knowing I was autistic for many decades.
