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My assessment deemed I am not autistic, feel it was wrong

NAS83039

I had an assessment for autism around 2.5 years ago and the outcome was that I am not autistic. However, I feel like I relate so much to the information on line in particular around difficulties interacting, scripting conversations, and just feeling 'different' to everyone else. However, I feel like in my assessment I masked (although I still don't really understand what masking is aside from trying to fit in with people around me... but I am not sure exactly what I do / say to do this) and overemphasised social anxiety feelings/symptoms and didnt advocate for myself. 

I am not sure what to do now as I am really struggling with anxiety but feel like this is due to not being able to be my authentic self - and I do not understand who that is. Is it possible to try and get another diagnosis? (I expect not) - or would it be worth trying to get some therapy/counselling on the basis of autism? or should I trust that the (non)-diagnosis was correct? I have in the past few months been diagnosed with ADHD (aged 32, female) and do think I have this, but I do not feel that it is *everything*...

Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks

Parents

  • A diagnosis of autism is not automatically a pathway to any sort of treatment or support - so getting one doesn't mean you get the other.

    The sort of things you could be putting in place to help you find your way on this e.g. counselling or treatment for symptoms like anxiety - you can pursue those options without a diagnosis.

    Your point about being an authentic version of yourself is incredibly important but even if you were diagnosed as autistic - it would still be down to you to spend the time and do the work to find out what version of you that is.

    For some people diagnosis is a lightbulb moment, for others - like me - it's just the start of a new chapter. Yes - it has brought some clarity (as would your ADHD diagnosis I imagine) - but it's also raised as many confusing questions as it has answered.

    I would not let the lack of a diagnosis stand in the way of you taking positive steps towards helping yourself cope and thrive.

    I hope some of that helps. Good luck.

Reply

  • A diagnosis of autism is not automatically a pathway to any sort of treatment or support - so getting one doesn't mean you get the other.

    The sort of things you could be putting in place to help you find your way on this e.g. counselling or treatment for symptoms like anxiety - you can pursue those options without a diagnosis.

    Your point about being an authentic version of yourself is incredibly important but even if you were diagnosed as autistic - it would still be down to you to spend the time and do the work to find out what version of you that is.

    For some people diagnosis is a lightbulb moment, for others - like me - it's just the start of a new chapter. Yes - it has brought some clarity (as would your ADHD diagnosis I imagine) - but it's also raised as many confusing questions as it has answered.

    I would not let the lack of a diagnosis stand in the way of you taking positive steps towards helping yourself cope and thrive.

    I hope some of that helps. Good luck.

Children
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