Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everybody, I am not sure which section to post this in. I am currently a mature uni student in Nottingham. I have always thought, responded to and interacted with people differently to most. Until recently I had no idea why this was, but since starting university numerous people have either asked if I am on the autistic spectrum or just assumed that I am. Over the summer holidays I decided to do some proper research into it and talked about it to friends who are on the spectrum. It would be an understatement to say it explains a LOT. From my research it would appear to be aspergers, though online information has been somewhat inconsistent. I think it went unnoticed for a very long time as I have physical health problems that prevented me being able to do much of anything for many years.
Leading to the main question as to whether I should get a diagnosis. I am at this stage about 95% certain that I am on the spectrum, it just explains too many things from difficulties in social interactions, body language to what I used to view as personality quirks. Ultimately if I am on the spectrum it is part of who I am and nothing can change that. I find life very difficult but I am coping so I don’t know if a diagnosis will be of any benefit to me.
However my main concern is that a diagnosis could result in a lot of long term negatives/problems. Partly due to poor understanding or misinterpretation of health problems that exist in the general population. I brought up considering diagnosis with my GP and he said that a diagnosis could limit my ability to access work and could close doors for me as it would have to go on any medical reports. I have friends who think that what the GP has said is completely wrong and think I should try and get a diagnosis. I have found information online to be somewhat inconsistent and incomplete.
It would be really helpful to get some more viewpoints and find out about the personal experiences of others before I decide whether or not to get a diagnosis. Thank you
Thank you everybody for your replies, sorry I have not replied sooner but life has been a bit overwhelming.
Also my username is showing up as NAS24032 and not the one I picked, why is this?
The people I know who are on the spectrum are either at uni and have not had a real job or have other health conditions that have made them too unwell to work.
I have been contemplating asking my contact in disability support for advice but I am not sure if I would be able to get objective advice that wouldn’t be passed on to others without my permission. Once lectures restart there are a few people I could ask, there is a girl in my course that told me in first year that she had Asperger’s and was struggling to keep up with study because of work.
It does seem like the main advantage of diagnosis would be getting adjustments at work and if I suffer from discrimination. Does anyone have any examples of reasonable adjustments they have gotten?
At this stage it seems like all the information out there is like a puzzle with no definite solution as to how best to proceed.
On the user name front, it is a strange system where the user name you choose when you join is irrelevant, you just appear as an allocated number unless you go to your profile page and give yourself the name you want. You get to your profile by clicking on your avatar/number top right of this page.
I've passed for normal for 49 years without realising and it has eventually caught up with me, the effort and exhaustion of trying to fit in have outstripped my resources, but I never understood what was happening. You are in a very different position because with or without an official diagnosis you understand what you are and can read and research to help and make allowances for yourself.
Diagnosis shouldn't carry a stigma but I guess maybe it does, though I think your GP's words were just plain wrong. Will be interesting to see what you decide to do.