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I think I have an ASD, what should I do?

BrianSmith

I know this is asked a lot, but I can't find enough information. I'm quite nervous about approaching my doctor as I approached one before about a number issue I have and they basically dismissed the idea entirely.

Obviously I'm not looking for a diagnosis on here, but to briefly explain the situation, I have an anxiety disorder and depression. Both of which I am receiving treatment for...

The questions I have about that is - if I had an ASD, although I've only seen a psychiatrist for a few sessions, would they have picked up on it? And therefore does this mean that I don't have an ASD?

However, I'd like to be tested - by someone with knowledge in this area. What should I do? And if I go to the doctor, how should I approach the subject?

I've heard that it's difficult to find someone able to assess for this condition in adults, is this true? I live in Scotland.

I also have issue with numbers, math in general, but also seeing numbers in the wrong order, this has caused problems in two work places, however, when I approached the doctor about this, they dismissed it. 

So,  what should I do from here?

  • Scorpion0x17 said:

    [quote][/quote]

    [quote][/quote]

    [quote][/quote]

    The questions I have about that is - if I had an ASD, although I've only seen a psychiatrist for a few sessions, would they have picked up on it? And therefore does this mean that I don't have an ASD?

    So,  what should I do from here?

    I'm also considering asking for an assessment.

    I also had some psychotherapy sessions and although the problems I told them I was having are linked to ASDs they didn't pick up on them... though this was in the early 90's and I think they weren't looking for that specific thing at that time.

    Yes, and finding someone who specialises in ASDs can be difficult today for adults, never mind back in the 90's when aspergers was really being discovered.

    All the best with seeking an assessment. I've still not went to the doctor or anything yet.

    Hope you don't mind me correcting you, Brain, but...

    Actually, Asperger's was discovered, by Dr Hans Asperger, back in the 40's! Though it wasn't given the name Asperger's until the 80's. And then it wasn't until the 90's that it was given a standardized diagnostic description.

    So, it simply wasn't known about, even by many in the field of psychology, until very recently.

    It also wasn't until the 80s or 90s, I think, that Autism in general was seen as being something other than a childhood disease (and was often viewed as product of bad parenting)!

    It's therefore no surprise that so many adults are now being diagnosed with Asperger's.

    Ah, no worries, it's actually interesting. I didn't know it was as early as the 40's. I thought it was late 80s / early 90's. It's interesting that there was such a gap in time before it was given a diagnostic description.

    :)

    On that topic, I'm only in my early 20's so I do wonder if I do have an ASD, would it have been picked up. As I know someone else my age who had a diagnosis as a child.

  • BrianSmith said:

    [quote][/quote]

    [quote][/quote]

    The questions I have about that is - if I had an ASD, although I've only seen a psychiatrist for a few sessions, would they have picked up on it? And therefore does this mean that I don't have an ASD?

    So,  what should I do from here?

    I'm also considering asking for an assessment.

    I also had some psychotherapy sessions and although the problems I told them I was having are linked to ASDs they didn't pick up on them... though this was in the early 90's and I think they weren't looking for that specific thing at that time.

    Yes, and finding someone who specialises in ASDs can be difficult today for adults, never mind back in the 90's when aspergers was really being discovered.

    All the best with seeking an assessment. I've still not went to the doctor or anything yet.

    Hope you don't mind me correcting you, Brain, but...

    Actually, Asperger's was discovered, by Dr Hans Asperger, back in the 40's! Though it wasn't given the name Asperger's until the 80's. And then it wasn't until the 90's that it was given a standardized diagnostic description.

    So, it simply wasn't known about, even by many in the field of psychology, until very recently.

    It also wasn't until the 80s or 90s, I think, that Autism in general was seen as being something other than a childhood disease (and was often viewed as product of bad parenting)!

    It's therefore no surprise that so many adults are now being diagnosed with Asperger's.

  • LoCommotion said:

    [quote][/quote]

    The questions I have about that is - if I had an ASD, although I've only seen a psychiatrist for a few sessions, would they have picked up on it? And therefore does this mean that I don't have an ASD?

    So,  what should I do from here?

    I'm also considering asking for an assessment.

    I also had some psychotherapy sessions and although the problems I told them I was having are linked to ASDs they didn't pick up on them... though this was in the early 90's and I think they weren't looking for that specific thing at that time.

     

    Yes, and finding someone who specialises in ASDs can be difficult today for adults, never mind back in the 90's when aspergers was really being discovered.

    All the best with seeking an assessment. I've still not went to the doctor or anything yet.

  • BrianSmith said:

    The questions I have about that is - if I had an ASD, although I've only seen a psychiatrist for a few sessions, would they have picked up on it? And therefore does this mean that I don't have an ASD?

    So,  what should I do from here?

    I'm also considering asking for an assessment.

    I also had some psychotherapy sessions and although the problems I told them I was having are linked to ASDs they didn't pick up on them... though this was in the early 90's and I think they weren't looking for that specific thing at that time.

  • Thanks. I think I have a lot of symptoms which would suggest I have an ASD and it certainly would answer alot. I've done the AQ in the past, and I've also done the RDOS Aspie Quiz. 

    This one > http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

    I just did the AQ there again. I got 39.

    I might take a print out of both to the GP.

    Hopefully they will refer me so that I can get an assessment. 

  • If you have good reason to think you have an ASD, then don't let it be dismissed. You are in charge of what health care you recieve, not your GP (however much they may wish to think they are).

    Have you seen/done the AQ screening test?

    http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/take-the-autism-test/

    If not, do it.

    And, either way, if you score more than 32, print out the test, your results, and the explanation at the link above, and take it to your GP.

  • Hi,

    Thanks for your replies.

    I'm no longer seeing a psychiatrist, only my GP now. I think if I speak to my GP about it, the situation will just be dismissed.

  • To slightly amend stranger's suggestion:

    Ask to see a Psychologist for an assessment.

    Psychiatrists deal with mental health disorders (and are notoriously bad at spotting ASDs), Psychologists deal with personality and developmental disorders (which is what ASDs are).

  • if you're still under the psychiatrist, ask them for an assessment.