Am I Autistic? Diagnosis?

I had the same dilemma as you - GP I saw  (a specialist in mental health) reviewed my Baron-Cohen test responses and agreed I probably was, but advised that a formal diagnosis wouldn't help as I was not affected seriously enough by it and so wouldn't get any support.

I read a kindle book called "Am I Autistic? " by Lydia Andal, which addresses the pros and cons of diagnosis. I eventually decided there was no point for me, but I know what I am now and I'm confident to tell people I "have aspergers" if it seems appropriate/ necessary.  You are the best person to make the decision for yourself.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! :)

I'll take the list to my GP the next time I see him!

Thanks for the speedy responses as well!

Matt

I've recently found a site with a criteria code for autism. It also lists some common issues that I wish I'd been able to convey before my assessment. Pages 3-9 has formal statements of common difficulties you may have. Making it easy to pick out easy to read headlines for professionals who may have little time to read added detail. Although you have done quite well in listing a lot of things, so you may not feel you need more.

I don't know if links are allowed. If they aren't I guess it will be deleted. I only found the site by typing in aaa autism symptom score, to try to understand my assessment score. I have no personal connection to the site.

www.prolifevote.org.uk/.../aireycruk16.pdf

Hi Matt, and welcome,

There are probably many other members of the forum who will, like me, be nodding in agreement at the list of traits you provide - all are various traits that those on the spectrum have to a greater or lesser extent.  The AQ test, although not a diagnostic tool, does give one a pretty good idea as to whether to go for an assessment - like you, I score 40 on this, no matter how conservatively I try to answer it.

I chose going for an assessment as I just feel it's right for me, though I understand some people are perfectly happy with self diagnosis.  It's understandable that your GP would like a list of the reasons why you feel you are autistic, and you've done a lot of good work preparing your list.  My GP was very understanding, and I did the same as you, listing reasons why I felt I might be on the spectrum.  The more information you can give them, the better.

Autism is a spectrum condition, and everyone has different difficulties and talents, so it's not so much a yes/no question, more where in the spectrum you are.  There is a saying which goes "when you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism", meaning one person on the spectrum can be quite different to another - but there are core difficulties that everyone shares to a greater or lesser extent.

As to if there is a benefit of going through diagnosis, it's a personal decision really.  I wanted to get a referral for an assessment because, on reading about autism and autistic traits last year, found myself agreeing with them (as on your list), and realised how accurate a description it was of myself.  If I get a diagnosis, I feel my whole life will at last make sense to me!  One particular area in which it really seems to have affected me is processing verbal instruction, and it's caused a lot of problems in my working life.  I'm not sure if revealing autism to a prospective employer causes problems or helps things, but there are many members of this forum who will be able to give you their own experiences, who have been diagnosed with an ASC.

As to telling people, it's also a matter for each individual.  So far, I've only told close family, and a couple of particularly close cousins, who have been very supportive, and a few friends I used to work with and whom I keep in touch with, and even then have only advised that it's "possible but not yet proven".

As to if people can tell, I think it depends on the person.  I spoke to my sister last year about the AQ and other tests that I did, as she works as a TA with autistic children, and she confided that she had had suspicions for some time that I might be on the spectrum, due to things she had noticed about me.

I don't know if any of the above helps at all, as I'm in the same position as you, in that I'm waiting for the assessment, but there will be others on here who will have a diagnosis, and who could speak much better from experience.  I would certainly encourage you in your speaking to your doctor with the list you've prepared.  It can be a long wait (depending on area), but I think it's going to be worth it, one way or another.

Let us know how things go, and good luck!

You won't find a diagnosis here. The only person who could tell you for sure is a qualified professional. GPs can't diagnose it. And a sexist GP may even claim things such as forgetting birthdays is just part of being a male.

Although I can relate to some of the things you put, I didn't identify as having aspergers until I had been properly assessed. Due to my problems & their complex nature I can't even list them. I was unable to work so I had no choice but to agree to be assessed. But even if I hadn't needed to, I still think I would've wanted to formally know.

You never know what the future holds. Having a formal diagnosis is supposed to allow you a certain amount of legal protection with regards to employment etc. If you were ever made unemployed or needed to communicate with health/police etc, having a formal diagnosis to show them is necessary or they won't formally recognise your needs.

Hi Matt

I am at present undiagnosed but have an assessment booked for mid December.

You share many of the same characteristics as me.  The Baron Cohen score you got certainly indicates that there is a strong possibiility that you may have an ASD. Whether indeed you have an ASD or not will be determined by the diagnostic process.

Whether you tell others is up to you.  I would think it is unlikely that anyone would suspect you had an ASD unless they already have experience of it themselves. Every person is different.  If others think anything at all they would probably only think you were a bit 'strange'.  If you do tell anyone make sure they understand that autism is a 'spectrum' disorder and covers the whole gamut from severely disabled to those who have great knowledge and great intelligence.  You might want to give some examples such as Chris Packham, Susan Boyle and Anne Hegarty from 'The Chase' who have all been diagnosed.  An ASD is nothing to be ashamed of, and although it manifests itself in many ways, higher functioning ASD is a different way of thinking and can have advantages in many fields in today's society.

Getting a diagnosis may help to explain a lot of things about your behaviour,  but remember having an ASD is not an illness, it is how you are and there is no 'cure' (and speaking for myself I do not wish to be 'cured').  

There would be no need to tell a present or future employer unless you wanted to or your condition started causing problems at work  You may think that you will get along all right with not wanting to be labelled at work, but your duties at work may change at some indeterminate point in the future (usually a 'get out' clause saying 'Any other duties commensurate with the role and salary' which covers just about anything).  And when or if that did happen, knowing you had a diagnosis may be of considerable help in preventing anxiety and depression by helping you to get 'reasonable adjustments'.  

Joining a Trade Union recognised by your employer might be a good idea as it will give you access to legal help if at any time in the future you suffer discrimination as a result of your condition.  Remember an ASD is covered under the disability discrimination act and an employer should make 'reasonable adjustments' to negate any disadvantage you have as a result of your condition.  A Trade Union should help you get these reasonable adjustments.

I've been diagnosed with ASperegers/ASD today, I do at least know why I maybe come across the way I do. As regards employment/job interviews it's your choice if you disclose you've autism or not, if you do have it then maybe an employment advisor could help you, as there's possible advantages and disadvantages for either option.

I do identify with things you've said, I'm not a very huggy person, perhaps it was as a result of me being born 506 weeks early, there's very few people I enjoy hugging. THo I'm better with eye contact There are times I just seem to be looking into space.

I do often tend to ping charity rubber wristbandsm and this can annoy some people, The Royal British Legion do well out of me. 

As regards social intercourse maybe it depends upon who with, some members of my family get bored or I'm not really into their conversations, I can be shy with strangers, tho friends I can talk with  for hours, and usually it's a 50/50 split. I don't always seem obsessive with planning, I consider myself an "eccentric aspie" I do love an air off eccentricity.
As regards interests I love music especially Queen or the Rolling Stones, I try and play the ukulele, I go to a local group. I like railways especially heritage steam,diesel and electric locomotives ( I love things with engines) . I do have quite a music collection, I like to collect vinyl records and CDs and also I like teddy bears. I love Laurel and Hardy. Oh yes and I'm passionate about the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal I sell poppies as got a dear fribd who suffers combat related PTSD that's how I got involved. History was a favourite subject at school. I think if I could combine an interest with work that would be great (shame I don't live close to a railway museum) . I think HGV (day) driving might be a good job for me, as I like driving, and I think that's perhaps the right level of interaction, it would be great if I could test the water before I take the plunge, not that I can afford to get my HGV licence as of yet, it's just for me paid employment has been at best erattic since I was made redundant from the railway  !!!