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Diagnosis doubts

McFrost

TLDR: Can I get a diagnosis through right to choose and not have it on my medical records?

I am on a waiting list for an autism assessment through right to choose. I should have had it by now based on the wait list times when I was referred but apparently referrals have increased significantly so there will be a delay. Not sure why this would affect my place in the queue and communication from them is pretty poor but I'm not in a rush.

I am however, having doubts about going ahead at all. I was very keen to do it initially but as the months have passed by I am seeing less need, in terms of validation. I am autistic - I know this to be the case. I score highly on every test I do and it explains so much about me. I'm self employed so require no adjustments at work and I don't feel I need a diagnosis to prove anything to anyone else. The main reason to do it at this stage is curiosity and learning more about myself and I think this alone is enough to make me want to get a diagnosis.

I have worries however about this being made official and my medical records being stamped "Autistic" for ever more. I worry about the future and what possible ramifications this could have that we don't currently know about. I'm not ashamed but I feel the lack of understanding from others leads to autistic people being put in a box and considered "less than". I don't consider myself "less than" in any way. In fact I consider myself superior in some ways to neuro typical people - more logical, more observant, more independent. Sorry if that sounds arrogant!

As I am currently completely unable to decide what to do, I guess it comes down to one question. Can I get a diagnosis through right to choose and not have it on my medical records? I don't consider it a medical thing - I was just born with a less common brain type so I don't think it is relevant to my medical records.

Parents

  • Just what I am thinking. Is there anyone here who has had a formal diagnosis and can say if it was a good or bad idea?

  • in reply to VLD

    I am formally diagnosed, and it's definitely a good thing. I went private, but shared the report soon after with my GP. I'm proud of the diagnosis, and don't fear it like many do.

    The way I see it is - I'm still me. Take it or leave it, but that's the way it's going to be.

    Not only does my diagnosis help me to understand myself, it assists with understanding various behaviours of my past

    In addition, it helps me to explain this to others, which in turn should help them in their engagement with me

  • in reply to Literal_Joe

    Thank you - I really appreciate you outlook.

    I find myself asking (of myself); anything less than that approach: wouldn't we be self-perpetuating stigma?

    Yes, there will be discovery, advocacy and a period of learning to grow into finding the optimal ways of doing things to best support yourself (now that you better understand the origin of an adaptation).

    However, "...that's the way it's going to be."

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  • in reply to Literal_Joe

    Thank you - I really appreciate you outlook.

    I find myself asking (of myself); anything less than that approach: wouldn't we be self-perpetuating stigma?

    Yes, there will be discovery, advocacy and a period of learning to grow into finding the optimal ways of doing things to best support yourself (now that you better understand the origin of an adaptation).

    However, "...that's the way it's going to be."

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