What confirmed your own autism suspicions?

Hi Violetfred,

Welcome to the forum.

Even though I haven't officially had my ASD diagnosis yet (still waiting on NHS list), I've pretty much self diagnosed myself for at least 2 years now - but here is how I realised I (potentially) am.

My parents and I do a lot of volunteering for St John Ambulance (SJA) and I am in charge of a youth and adult Unit, but my Dad does a lot of the traiining for both the Cadets (10-18) and Adults (18+). About 3 years ago, my Dad was training a Cadet Course on Mental Health and on one of the sessions - it was about ASD, ADHD etc.

He knows I enjoy listening to the training, but what I hadn't realised was that one of the video's that my Dad had included in the training, would actually be my 'lightbulb' moment. As I was watching the video, I realised I had so many of the traits this ASD person had - and I was mentally 'ticking the boxes' in my head. About 3/4's of the way through the video, I quietly slipped into the office, where my Mum was doing some of the HR paperwork and closed the door...the conversation went kind of like this...

Me: Mum, this might sound strange, but I think I might be autistic.

Mum: Honestly, Dad and I have thought that for about 15 years now.

Me: (in shock), Why the heck didn't you say anything before?!

Mum: Because, knowing how you can be like when it comes to medical stuff, we were worried about how you would react if we stated it to you. But lets make an appointment with the doctor, so we can set the ball rolling - it can take a while through the NHS.

Me: Almost everything on that video that Dad was showing, pretty much sums how I feel about myself and has answered a lot of my questions, I've had in my whole life. I wish you had said something before hand when I was younger...

Mum and I were speaking for most of the evening and I said the same thing to Dad once Cadets had finished - he said he had planned to put the video up as he knew I was interested in the course and he hoped that the video would resonate with me...it certainly did.

So next morning, I made an appointment to see my doctor (who I must admit, is probably one of a few medical professionals I actually trust enough to get on with) and when I went, he even confessed that he had suspicions of ASD with me, when my parents spoke of it a few years ago...again my jaw dropped to the floor...

So, he gave me the links for the AQ10, AQ50 and the RAADS tests and I scored 9 on the AQ10, 45 on the AQ50 and (even though I forget the total number) I scored highly on the RAADS test as well.

I am just waiting for my official appointment with the Adult Autism Unit in my area (over 2 years later), but even without that, the video my Dad showed me pretty much summed it up for me to be honest.

OK...I am actually surprised on how much I typed here (mind you - work is completely dead today), so I will leave it now.

Hope that helps what confirmed my suspicions Violetfred - and best of luck on your own diagnosis.

Mweekie xx

Hi Violetfred,

Welcome to the forum.

Even though I haven't officially had my ASD diagnosis yet (still waiting on NHS list), I've pretty much self diagnosed myself for at least 2 years now - but here is how I realised I (potentially) am.

My parents and I do a lot of volunteering for St John Ambulance (SJA) and I am in charge of a youth and adult Unit, but my Dad does a lot of the traiining for both the Cadets (10-18) and Adults (18+). About 3 years ago, my Dad was training a Cadet Course on Mental Health and on one of the sessions - it was about ASD, ADHD etc.

He knows I enjoy listening to the training, but what I hadn't realised was that one of the video's that my Dad had included in the training, would actually be my 'lightbulb' moment. As I was watching the video, I realised I had so many of the traits this ASD person had - and I was mentally 'ticking the boxes' in my head. About 3/4's of the way through the video, I quietly slipped into the office, where my Mum was doing some of the HR paperwork and closed the door...the conversation went kind of like this...

Me: Mum, this might sound strange, but I think I might be autistic.

Mum: Honestly, Dad and I have thought that for about 15 years now.

Me: (in shock), Why the heck didn't you say anything before?!

Mum: Because, knowing how you can be like when it comes to medical stuff, we were worried about how you would react if we stated it to you. But lets make an appointment with the doctor, so we can set the ball rolling - it can take a while through the NHS.

Me: Almost everything on that video that Dad was showing, pretty much sums how I feel about myself and has answered a lot of my questions, I've had in my whole life. I wish you had said something before hand when I was younger...

Mum and I were speaking for most of the evening and I said the same thing to Dad once Cadets had finished - he said he had planned to put the video up as he knew I was interested in the course and he hoped that the video would resonate with me...it certainly did.

So next morning, I made an appointment to see my doctor (who I must admit, is probably one of a few medical professionals I actually trust enough to get on with) and when I went, he even confessed that he had suspicions of ASD with me, when my parents spoke of it a few years ago...again my jaw dropped to the floor...

So, he gave me the links for the AQ10, AQ50 and the RAADS tests and I scored 9 on the AQ10, 45 on the AQ50 and (even though I forget the total number) I scored highly on the RAADS test as well.

I am just waiting for my official appointment with the Adult Autism Unit in my area (over 2 years later), but even without that, the video my Dad showed me pretty much summed it up for me to be honest.

OK...I am actually surprised on how much I typed here (mind you - work is completely dead today), so I will leave it now.

Hope that helps what confirmed my suspicions Violetfred - and best of luck on your own diagnosis.

Mweekie xx