• Replies 12 replies
  • Subscribers 83 subscribers
  • Views 177 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Communication struggles - its so hard!

missnjport

I find the whole route to getting a diagnosis like speaking to a doctor, filling in forms, knowing how to answer them correctly, knowing what I struggle with when asked, articulating what I want to say without feeling like I am going to be dismissed really difficult.  The very process that does not align with having autistic traits?

Parents

  • I have only just received my assessment and can appreciate some of  your feelings. Mine was the ADOS assessment which I believe is a standardised assessment, as it follows a procedure. And yes, it probably seems odd having something standardised for autism, which is so variable from person to person. Of course, a formal diagnosis is only an option and some are happy to be self-diagnosed.

    It took me a year to fill the form in! This included 4 month period when I completely gave up the idea of having an assessment.

    The is that the ADOS assessment, for example is not like  a school  exam or  a test or even a quiz.  I found it more like a tutorial. There isn't a right or wrong answer just your answer. The assessors are seeking certain information to address specific criteria and they would ask a question in a different way if I didn't understand. They picked up on a lot of behaviours that I couldn't even recall doing. So, you do not need to know how to answer the questions; you are the answers!  Like, if someone asks do you like marmite? You don't need to look on Google, because you are your answer.   

    I found the whole process not so much daunting but quite exciting. I simply answered the questions with an openness, that is probably quite typical of autism.

    However, taking all that into account, it does feel wonderful to be “officially” autistic and know who I am. It is like opening the curtains on a dark room to find a world you never knew was there. The problem is that with any change there is usually some disruption. It has taken a handful of months for me to come to terms  with my assessment. I am still discovering.  

                

  • in reply to Oscar
    Oscar said:
    However, taking all that into account, it does feel wonderful to be “officially” autistic and know who I am.

    Heh, my initial reaction was to realise that all those people who said that a diagnosis doesn't bring relief from imposter syndrome were right. Flushed  I think I'm now in the stage of learning to accept it and living my life with this new knowledge.

  • in reply to Alexa

    That is a great place to be.  

Reply Children
No Data