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I feel stupid for thinking I might have autism

saccharinedreams

Ive been considering the possibly that I may have autism for a few years now, but I’ve never done anything to about it. I’ve just taken a bunch of online assessments and stuff, but until recently I never actually made an effort to seek diagnosis bc I have always felt like an idiot for even considering it. I go online and see people talking about how everyone thinks they have autism bc of tiktok and it’s just made me feel silly for thinking that I do too.

however, recently I’ve been regularly seeing a counselor at my university who has been heavily pushing me to seriously consider seeking a diagnosis. I also have had a second counselor and even a professor tell me that some of the feelings I describe having (i struggle with severe social issues and often feel like I’m not even human bc human connection feels so impossible to me) sound like autism. So, I’m now on a waitlist. I still feel dumb for thinking I might have it and I worry that I’m going to burn $600 on this assessment just to be told I’m not autistic and an idiot for even thinking it. 

Parents

  • Have you taken any autism tests online? The AQ (autism quotient) test was created by a leading autism expert, professor Baron-Cohen and is used in diagnosis, plus there are a few others available online that are also used and can give you a good indication. Here is a website which explains and evaluates them and where you can also take the tests: https://embrace-autism.com/a-summary-of-the-autism-tests-and-scores/

    Some of us here do not have a professional diagnosis for various reasons, but anyone is welcome to post here - reading the experiences of others and feeling the same way helped me to accept that I was on the spectrum. Ask us anything you want - you are not an idiot!Blush

  • in reply to Lotus

    Yes, I’ve taken a multitude of online assessments such as the AQ and the RAADS-R, among many others (basically all the ones on the Embrace Autism website). Almost all of them have said there is a strong likelihood I have autism. I still feel like an imposter though bc these tests are not infallible and false positives are common with self-assessments. 

  • in reply to saccharinedreams

    Why do you say that false positives are common with "self assessments"? The tests have been created by experts in the field and if you answer the questions honestly, they will give a fairly reliable result.

    The doctor I saw when I suspected I was autistic asked me to do the tests and send him the results - when he saw them, he agreed with me but advised against being referred for formal diagnosis by a psychologist - giving the reason that it wouldn't make any difference as I wouldn't get any support as I was self sufficient. He did say he would keep the test results on my medical records though, and that I could request a referral at a later date if things changed and I felt I needed support.

    I am not formally diagnosed, but I know I am not neurotypical. As soon as I joined this site I was amazed at how much I was like the formally diagnosed people who post here, and found so much support and advice which helped me.

    Basically, you are who you have always been - diagnosis won't change that, but it helps some people accept themselves more easily. Most of us have experienced "imposter syndrome" too. But after a while you learn to just accept who you are.

  • in reply to saccharinedreams

    The original paper published by the developers of the RAADS test claimed that the test identified 97% of previously diagnosed autistics and excluded essentially all non-autistics.

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  • in reply to saccharinedreams

    The original paper published by the developers of the RAADS test claimed that the test identified 97% of previously diagnosed autistics and excluded essentially all non-autistics.

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