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Does an official diagnosis help

GreenGardener

Hi. I have been seeing a therapist for about two and a half years now. We have recently been talking about my possible autism. My therapist has said that although she can't diagnose me, my charatiristics/ things that I struggled with would probably be categorised as autism. I have done research myself  and through speaking with family members, think I am autistic.

Is going through with a proper diagnosis worth the appointment s and stress? I am conflicted, some family members are encouraging me to peruse it, others think it's enough that I know myself and can get help in other ways. 

Did getting a official autism diagnosis help other people?

Parents

  • I do believe it helped me - it gave me validation for the feelings I'd long had (and hid) about myself, and it allowed me to give myself permission to explore ways in which I could adjust my lifestyle.

    Look into the 'right to choose' - this allows you to go via your GP and the NHS, yet be seen to by another provider for your actual test and diagnosis (I went with Clinical Partners). For me, it meant going onto a waiting list for about 10-12 months rather than 5 years.

    I did have some initial troubles going through the process - my GP outright refused to listen to or help me, but fortunately the lady at the desk in the GP's office was super helpful and rang a couple other people and found an answer for me and got things moving.

  • in reply to orangutan

    Thanks for replying. 

    I think I am looking for some validation, I have found therapy helpful in managing my anxiety, however, the more I progress in that area, the more questions I have about how I process other things. 

    I will look into that, haven't heard of ' the right to child's .

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