Does an official diagnosis help

For me it was very worthwhile, I now know 100% why I’m different. The diagnosis was only last week, the assessors made the process much more bearable than I expected.

It obviously isn’t very nice to go into detail about childhood, In three different parts I was asked if I had sort therapy, it was the 1970’s and a different world.

They had uncovered things that were definitely an autistic child struggling, I haven’t received the report yet, it obviously concentrates on things I  can’t do, I’m learning to like myself and not be afraid to say no. I didn’t have an informant, it was all based on observation and questions. My wife sat in on the second part of the day, she confirmed much of what they had already thought.

I work alone and don’t require workplace adjustments, it was just for my own validation, my wife now totally believes I’m autistic and is more understanding. 

Some, easier than others. Trying to tie specific events to an exact age eg 4 was difficult. However I started main school at 4 so things related to school were easier. 

Leading up to my screening, I was a little worried; I was second-guessing myself and had so many questions about a lot of different things. Then, when I got my diagnosis, I felt good about it, I felt like a huge weight was lifted from me, but after a week or so, I started to get a little worried about Work. What I am, Who I am, I am glad that I did get the official diagnosis, I think it's better to have that than to second-guess yourself. 

I am not in therapy at the moment as I felt I hit a bit of a standstill with it. But yes I did stay with the same therapist for a good while after my diagnosis. 

It didn't help me in any way.

Thanks for your reply.

May I ask- did you find it easy to remember relevant things from your childhood during the assessment?

Thanks for your reply. 

I do understand Hatton are saying. I think I am autistic but would have mixed feelings about getting accommodations based only on self diagnosis. G

Great to hear that you have more confidence to do that now. 

I found the process hard, emotional, going over detailed aspects of my life. But after years of trying to make sense of persistent anxiety and depression of feeling there was a reason for melt downs but not being sure, the diagnosis has given me some answers and validation that I hope will help me manage better in the future. Its not easy but for me it was worth doing.

'Getting the paperwork' was very useful for me. 

It's mostly about seeking support. Instead of having to go 'I have problems with x,y,z,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h whatever, and I have a GP letter explaining them each individually' I can go: 'I'm autistic, here's my documentation showing that. I need this support'. It helps the paperwork for things like my university accommodations, DSA, accommodations for hospital appointments, and some work and volunteering accommodations, go through more smoothly. 

It also meant that I had a better framework to look at what my issues were and how to help manage them myself. I could look for tailored resources, and it also helped the other professionals I worked with (e.g. my university nurse and the university mental health team) understand how to support me better.

It also gave me a lot more confidence to ask for help. It felt like I was allowed to. So when an opportunity came up but it would have to involve flying alone, I had the confidence to book airport assistance. Previously I would just never have flown by myself and wouldn't have taken the opportunity. It also allowed me to feel more confident using a sunflower lanyard on things like public transport. A diagnosis isn't required for either of these things, but having it allowed me personally to feel comfortable doing so.

Thanks!  Just answered my next question - who are people using instead of the NHS on the Right to Choose?  I'll check out Clinical Partners thanks.  I'm hoping to get a GP appt tomorrow and will ask to be referred there as the NHS wait is 5 years lol.

You've hit the nail right on the head for me.  Validation.  That's just what I'm looking for and hope to get it!

I'm not going to shoot you and neither should anyone else.  I'm definitely here to here views from all sides and find it helpful as I'm still awaiting diagnosis, so thanks for posting up how it affected you.

Just reading others comments on being tested, people have said getting tested is a personal choice and I'm sorry it didn't work out well for you.  Personally, a confirmation will be a bit of a shield for me (I hope).  If I had a pound for everyone that told me I wasn't thinking in the right way.......  At 66, I now tell them I think how I like.

While banging on.....  I used to work for a computer company and we had breakfast meetings to discuss what's happening.  After one of the meetings, the sales guy came up to my desk and said 'you know I don't understand a word you say'  To be fair, he was a bit of a nob, but that's always stuck with me.  My thoughts were that I just use normal words and speak.  I do think in very lateral ways and can generate a solution to a problem almost instantly, without the sequential step by step approach of most people.

When you don't 'show your working out' people don't understand because they don't understand your thinking, and so they don't understand the solution as can't see how you got there.  Dunno why I spurted all that out

Thanks for your reply. 

I hope all goes well with your son. 

Yes,some people have mentioned labels and how they can be a bad thing? I personally don't agree with that mentality and wouldn't let it keep me from a possibly diagnosis.

It was worth for me, it to get the definite answer as it allows you to choose the right path for your future. It’s certainly not easy waiting in limbo and getting the confirmation of autism is a bit bewildering no matter how ready you think you’ll be. But I’m personally glad I went through it.

I feel it will help me to help and support my young son, who is also waiting for an assessment. I believe I have a greater understanding of him now and have a much greater bond.

Ultimately you have to do what’s right for you and disregard what others may say. I wish you the best of fortune whatever you decide.

In my opinion? Yes. When it comes to inattentiveness, impatience, hyperfocus, etc I attribute that to my ADHD. When it comes to social difficulties, sensory issues, and intense passions, I attribute that to Autism. There’s some overlap, like when I hyperfocus on my passion projects, but there’s definitely some differences

Thank you for your reply. May I ask if you have the same therapist now as the one pre diagnosis? 

Thank you for your reply. Your experience does sound a little less intense than I thought the assessment process would be. 

Thank you for your reply. I'm glad you have found other ways to gain understanding and awareness of yourself. I think that is the most important thing. It's horrible that you had such an experience, especially from other autistic people. We should all aim to be kinder and more respectful of people regardless of diagnosis. 

Thanks my replying. I know POP assessments can be awful to go through!

Thanks for replying. Glad your diagnosis helped you. After your diagnosis could you sort of separate your ADHD from your autism, in terms of how you processed things?