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capers123

First time post here, so Hi

For quite some time I've had my suspicions that I'm higher up the Scale than the average person, to the point that I nearly booked a GP appointment last week do ask for a referral. 

Then on Saturday I found a link to the Channel 4 'How Autistic Are You?' Questionnaire - which gives a non-diagnostic idea of where you are on the spectrum.  It was designed by Prof Baron-Cohen & Dr David Greenberg, so I feel at least it will be quite a good pointer, if not 100% accurate.

A small group of us took the test. One of the group already has a diagnosis of High-Functioning Autism and scored 9 out of 10. The other 3 scored 1, 3 & 6, the latter (my partner) exhibiting some autistic traits.  I scored 10.  The questionnaire recommended considering a specialist diagnostic assesment if scoring over 6, so I have booked a GP appointment.  My partner did question what benefit getting a formal diagnosis would be, to which I replied that at least it would help explain some of the ways I react and see life and why I've often been regarded as a bit of an odd-ball.

I read on some of the information pages on this site that for adult diagnosis, one has to take an informant - someone who knew you as a child.  Aged 55, my parents are both dead, and I have no other relatives of their peer group, nor siblings.  I've started writing down all I can remember from childhood - most of which seem to be instances of perceived injustice or anger at logic not being followed.  Is that likely to be enough or will I not get a diagnosis?

I must say that our children both scored very low in the tests, thus proving that it's not necessarily a genetic trait. Phew.

Parents

  • 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!

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  • 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!

Children
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