Got the results of my assessment back today and not satisfied that its accurate. As an adult with suspected ASD, I was referred to the learning difficulties team who didnt feel they were the people to deal with me. They had a meeting where i was brought up and this led to them doing the assessment.
During the assessment, i found the assessor often talked over me and move on to quickly not allowing me the time to explain things. After a single session she passed me on to mental health services. To me it feels like she didnt want to be dealing with an adult with possible high functioning autism, and wanted to pass me on asap.
The assessment report states that i display ASD traits in social interaction, but dont have obsesssions of fixations. Her detailed analysis of whether or not i had those obsessions of fixations consisted of the question "do you have any obsessions or fixations?", when i took a while to think about it, she quickly said "If you had them, they would be obvious", and moved on.
This resulted in an assessment report which ruled out ASD and diagnosed me with social anxiety, although it did state ASD traits in social interaction.
Given the time to think about it, i do have, and did have when i was younger things that could be considered obsessions of fixations. My early attempt at meeting women were definetly fixations and obsessions where everything i did would be focused on getting closer to that girl, and id act like a stalker ensuring that i was everywhere she was likely to be. Ive improved in that area now and although i may quickly become obsessed about one woman, i tend to hold it in and not show how obsessed i am with her. this means no stalking etc, although ill stalk her facebook page and try and deliberately be in the same place without making it obvious its intentional. For example she works in the town centre and i deliberately walk around that town centre at a time which i know is likely to be her dinner break.
I was a little slow to learn to ride a bike, but once i did, you couldnt keep my off it. The only thing i ever wanted to do was ride my bike. Id cover miles riding around the local estate, and as i got older even further. I was also obsessed with cars, and as had my first driving lesson on my 17th birthday. the earliest i legally could. Passed the theory first time but practical took 5 attempts. once i passed and was able to get a car, i brought an old banger as soon as i possibly could. It was a terrible purchase but got me my obsession as quick as possible. Over time the car replaced the bike. The car allowed me to go even further, and i didnt get soaked using it in the rain. Im still keen on my bike however the car tends to be preffered now.
Kids play with their toys in their bedroom and as a child this was totally normal. I always did this alone however. i didnt want anyone else involved. Im 31 now and this hasnt changed. Im much more secretive about it though and didnt think to mention it in the assessment. Perhaps if id had more time to think, and overcome the anxiety about mentioning it, then it would have been mentioned.
