Diagnosis in a 50 year old male.

I don't understand why autistic poeple cannit be sociable. Yes we struggle with inane smalltalk and knowing when to but into a conversation but that does nit stop us talking to poeple. Also, this of us who have only realised we are autistic in later life have had a lifetime to develop coping mechanisms and ways of trying to conform. It really reflects badly on the assessor if they do not understand this.

I too am waining for my official diagnosis but the fact that being autistic explains so much leaves me with no doubt that I am. 

Well it is one of the main diagnostic criteria:

Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive, see text):

1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, ranging, for example, from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back-and-forth conversation; to reduced sharing of interests, emotions, or affect; to failure to initiate or respond to social interactions.

2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, ranging, for example, from poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication; to abnormalities in eye contact and body language or deficits in understanding and use of gestures; to a total lack of facial expressions and nonverbal communication.

3. Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships, ranging, for example, from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit various social contexts; to difficulties in sharing imaginative play or in making friends; to absence of interest in peers.

Most autistic people do struggle with socialising. They may actually want to be social, but struggle to translate it into practice. But it is a spectrum, so some people may suffer from this less or become very good at masking it.

I despise the framing of autistic communication differences as deficits. I could just as easily frame small talk and an insistence on eye contact as deficits. 

I have read this about the DSM-5 a thousand times, and I'm fed up of reading about 'impairments' and 'restricted' patterns of behaviour. Who wrote the DSM-5? Are they autistic? Presumably, the psychologist who conducted my autism assessment had read the DSM-5. She suggested in my report that I ought to have asked more questions about her. Excuse me? My assessment appointment was a hugely significant appointment for ME. It would have been inappropriate to ask questions about her. And yet, I'm 'impaired'. I have autistic friends and neurotypical friends. It's easier to communicate with the autistic ones. Does that mean neurotypical people are 'impaired' because it's harder for them to communicate with me? No, of course not.

I have read this about the DSM-5 a thousand times, and I'm fed up of reading about 'impairments' and 'restricted' patterns of behaviour. Who wrote the DSM-5? Are they autistic? Presumably, the psychologist who conducted my autism assessment had read the DSM-5. She suggested in my report that I ought to have asked more questions about her. Excuse me? My assessment appointment was a hugely significant appointment for ME. It would have been inappropriate to ask questions about her. And yet, I'm 'impaired'. I have autistic friends and neurotypical friends. It's easier to communicate with the autistic ones. Does that mean neurotypical people are 'impaired' because it's harder for them to communicate with me? No, of course not.