No 'Informant' available.

That's a fair comment - I also have wondered why I would like a diagnosis.  The obvious answer is a thirst for knowledge, to help me understand me and the way I behave and react, which at times is frankly quite odd.

I have a number of health issues for which stress is an agrevating factor, so having the knowledge that my stress is partly caused by Asperger's would allow me to seek appropriate ways to lessen the stress.  Without knowing the cause I fear that I could be taking inappropriate actions. 

I have had a lot of problems over the years that I think would probably fit in with Aspergers (I'm currently up to 10 pages in my list) and it would be such a releif to know the cause of those actions.

Hi Capers,

It isn't clear from you posts why you think you need a diagnosis. Do you think that your autism has made you ill and require treatment? Most people that have a diagnosis have come to grief in some way usually with mental health  issues. Autism isn't something that can be treated and you may struggle to get your GP to spend money on you unless you can demonstrate a potential health benefit from diagnosis.

I've started a 'potted history of oddities' as well (not that I'd been asked for one yet, but had thought it would be helpful to show my GP).  So far I'm at 3993 words, but there are quite a few bits with just one or two words that need expanding out and I keep thinking of extra things to put in.  Good job it's on Dropbox so I can add bits at the first opportunity.

I do have a bit of a habit of going 'beyond what is expected' when writing things of that nature.

Over the last few weeks I've been playing for some dancers who performed before and in the finale of a concert at weekends around the country.  It was backstage at one last weekend that we did the C4 test and the possible diagnosis/explanation dawned on me.

Yesterday we had another show (along with the dreaded socialising in the Green Room at the after-party). All in all, I found it a lot easier this week, having done a lot of reading around Autism/Aspies; I even had my group of dancers back to my room  once we got the to hotel in Widnes (I'd tried to persuade them to use someone elses room with out luck - partly because I had the supply of gin). Although on reflection they may have preferred to leave before 1:50am, as I'd broken into logical discussion of our local parliamentary candidates after discussing using fake red wigs as merkins for future performances. I'm not very good at knowing boudaries of what's acceptable in a social situation.

My diagnosis didn't require anyone else to be there.  I had information my mother had given me plus a lot of childhood memories that helped the consultant get the picture.

Before the diagnosis I was asked to write down a potted history of my life, the difficulties, etc that I had, the habits, social interaction, likes and dislikes.  I wrote about ten thousand words, so the consultant probably had lost the will to live by the time of the final assessment.

I think in a lot of cases a well trained consultant in autism will be able to get a very good idea just by being with you for a couple of hours, your reactions to things, your 'behaviour' and gestures.  And then the answers to the questions (s)he asks and your past history will just fill in the gaps and confirm or otherwise.  Remember, they are well trained and would know if someone has some other condition during the process.  My final interview took about three hours.

Remember, the AQ test is not a diagnosis but it picks out certain traits that give a very good idea.  And this coupled with the way you interractwith others and your environment should give you a very good idea.

For me, the diagnosis was as if my eyes had been opened, such a lot of my previous life began to make sense and I felt I no longer had to make excuses for any social faux pas. 

Although it was very late for me, I am getting much needed support now at work which stopped a lot of performance related problems at work (which are not really performance but being in an alien environment). 

We've been married for 26 years, with 2 years before that. 

She 'only' scored 6 on AQ-10, but sees no benefit in seeking a formal diagnosis for herself but is quite happy (albeit bemused) that I am seeking one.

How long have you known your SO?

I got a diagnosis without anyone who knew me as a child. There was a questionnaire that should have been filled in by such a person but I filled it in myself the way I thought my parents and sister would (which afterwards turned out was not terribly accurate, at least for my mum - when I told her later she came up with an enormous list of strange and annoying behaviours I presented). I told the psychologist that I had done it that way because for one thing I was embarrassed and didn't want to tell my family and at least my mum would have struggled to understand the English questionnaire. I also didn't have anyone joining me for the appointment either - it seemed an excuse good enough that coming from Germany would be a bit a long way but I didn't hide the fact that the main reason was that I did not want them to know and was there to not be diagnosed anyway.

So to make it short, things may be more accurate if you have someone who knew you when you were small but the lack of such a person does not necessarily prevent you from getting a diagnosis if they decide that the rest is clear enough.

You don't know unless you try. I've heard that some people haven't managed to get a diagnosis because of lack of childhood history. But the letter I got from the local Adult Autism team only specified 'if possible' to bring someone who knew me from an early age (parent/sibling).  

However, I believe your wife or a long-time friend would be able to be the 'Informant'. Not the ideal informant, but they can still offer perspective on you that you aren't liable to pick up and disclose to the Interviewer. Someone who has lived with you for a long time and knows you.  

I think if you feel you need the answer, it is worth going for. i've suspected since in my teens, but I pushed it aside, until early this year when I finally sought a referral. Waiting for the appointment is like being in limbo, and I worry about NOT getting answers. I've done all the clinical tests online - and all of them say I score very over the threshold and should consider a formal diagnosis with a professional.

 I won't say getting the referral helps - everyday I wait for the mail. Hoping and dreading seeing a letter. It is a compulsion. Hmm, maybe if you can afford it, you could seek a private diagnosis? It'd likely be quicker than the NHS (26-30 weeks) is the average waiting time in my area.  That's if you just want answers to understand your thought processes/behaviour.

Good luck with whatever decision you make!