Help! Are there any women in this Community with ASD

Hi there, I'm also one of those strange women that can't really complain about a lack of empathy. The people that diagnosed me with level 1 autism (that's what Asperger's is called now) were quite aware of this though, they said this is what more and more research concludes, that quite a few people with ASD are actually quite empathetic but are overwhelmed by the intensity of that feeling or have difficulties to react in a suitable way. So the experts do (start to) recognise that, it may just take a while until it also gets to the more conservative ones among them. 

good comment and welcome....do you find that being empathetic and outwardly seeming to be "coping" means that you are sometimes exploited by others? 

Due to the Aspies...being organised, reliable, hardworking, nurturing and seeming to be on top of things...(plus adverse to conflict)....I am a sucker to agreeing to help others as a way to try to accepted and to be "useful" as a way of trying to belong...

sorry, that was an epic first message back....

really glad that the research is seemingly seeping through to medical practice....

I think that's why I ended up having to get a second opinion to be diagnosed. There are still too few fully aware of how to diagnose adult women and girls. 

I spent several years training to and working with children and then caring for my mum but I used up my reserves and burnt out. So do try to keep a balance of giving, caring and fitting in with being yourself and recharging your own batteries. 

I think that's why I ended up having to get a second opinion to be diagnosed. There are still too few fully aware of how to diagnose adult women and girls. 

I spent several years training to and working with children and then caring for my mum but I used up my reserves and burnt out. So do try to keep a balance of giving, caring and fitting in with being yourself and recharging your own batteries. 

well done. We have to be so determined to fight our own corner which is difficult for us. Yes the best thing is to go with lists and supporting information even if you leave it at the surgery for your dr to read then make an apt so they've had chance to read it and look it up. When it came to a second opinion I was prepared to go privately but my gp supported me and in the end the surgery gave me the funding. So stick at it if you can if that's what you want to do. 

Hi Spotty..... you keep getting lost in threads.....but I've found you

sound advice.....I have launched a bet with isthisreal .... who is in her early twenties ...and also contemplating seeking diagnosis..that I will book an appointment tomorrow with my GP and challenge her to do the same....

how are you today Spotty...?

I think you should go sooner rather than later as even when referred it's going to be a long wait for anything to happen unless you go privately, which I must admit I am starting to consider.  I chose one of the younger GP's in our practice and the first time she half fobbed me off but I went back quite determined, with more research under my belt and two A4 sides of scrappily written examples from my life that fitted the criteria.  Thankfully she was willing to read it and it was that which persuaded her to refer me as my spoken words let me down badly.  It is so confusing to find this incoherence as I used to think myself reasonably erudite.  Good luck!

The first assessment I had were lots of different professionals, tests, questions, interviews etc but though they were qualified professionals I did not feel confident and comfortable that the experience and ingrained knowledge was there which showed up to me in some of the test situations and reports. It left me feeling bad but instinctively I knew they weren't right. They were following a text book. I researched around to find somewhere reliable where they were used to assessing adult women. When I saw Dr Judith Gould speaking about it I thought that was the place to go. Luckily for me it was the right decision for me. 

Nothing wrong with a sweet old fashioned village practice if they are kind, supportive open minded and willing to listen. Good luck with broaching the subject with your husband and then your Gp

You haven't put me off girl....my AD score online was 46/50 btw, and I also did an EQ test online and scored 17/40. Interested in your action to go to Lorna Wing....seems to be held in rather high regard put there...

Would like to go to the GP with my husband so need to have THAT conversation first to get him on board....no friends or family ...so, every cloud, as they say

the village GP practice is very sweet...but I fear maybe a little old fashioned....so I shall go armed ....and papered!

Every sympathy.. Hopefully you will have a good Gp willing to support you. Go armed with the different lists for example the Tania Marshall and the Aq 50 plus information about yourself which fits I think if you can watch the YouTube links it will help to show you what information you need. Also have a look in your area to see who would be assessing you or to see if you have a choice. Then find out about them. My assessment became very confused because of the co existing dcd, ADHD and autism especially as they overlap with things like executive function. I went to Lorna Wing Nas for a second opinion eventually. 

Also be sure why you want to have a formal diagnosis and if you get one what you think it will change or what you expect to happen as a result. For example access to work adjustments in your work place or purely self knowledge. And be aware if you get confirmation of your thoughts you may experience a grieving process afterwards and friends and relatives reactions may be mixed. Go for it. Hope I haven't put you off.. 

I moved from a small village to a slightly larger one...but surrounded by countryside...I do find it difficult getting myself out if the house though at times due to anxiety....but think that this is just me feeling a little about where I am at, at the moment in working things out in my head..

Yes it does confuse when the replies seem to jump!

i agree with my symptoms and character also (just need to brace the GP for. A referral) - gulp! -

interesting thought about symptoms being exacerbated.  I'm 42 and thought...great... mid life crisis, peri-menopausal, career has peaked...doors seemingly starting to close....and then this curve ball!  

the replies and times of replies keep jumping about which doesn't help continuity of topic! 

So do I! I was told that the tremors and cfs may have resulted due to undiagnosed conditions and just making such an effort to be "normal" for so long and that it wasn't unusual. But yes I think I agree my symptoms/characteri 

were exacerbated during and post menopause. It has been recognised in women in the adhd community too

Sound advice indeed......Psssr. Hope we haven't scared off the other women what have participated in this thread.....