Hi. I am About to go on the journey.

Hi Matthew, and welcome!

Being a spectrum condition, autism can manifest in different ways in different people.  No two autistic people are the same.  However, certain traits and characteristics are pretty much present in all neurodiverse people to a greater or lesser degree.  The triad of impairments encompasses it: social interaction, social communication, and imagination (which doesn't necessarily mean that autistic people are unimaginative; it can refer to rigidity of thinking, which comes out in, say, obsessional behaviour, the need for routine, and resistance to change).  If you hit all of the developmental markers, it could point to Asperger's.  I, too, hit all my markers.  In fact, I was ahead of the others during my first year at primary school.  It was after that that the problems really started for me.

As for assessment... I was late-diagnosed (almost 3 years ago, at age 56).  The traits were first picked up on by a therapist I was seeing.  She got me to take the AQ test, in which I scored 42 out of 50 - highly indicative, as most neurotypicals score less than 20.  She then recommended to my GP that I be referred for diagnosis.  The process probably differs from region to region, but where I live (in Kent), it meant a wait of several months before I had a home visit by an autism assessor.  That involved a few more questions about my lifestyle, work, any issues I'd had.  After that, I waited around a year for the main diagnostic interview with a psychologist, which took just over an hour.  My mother went with me, too, and was interviewed separately about my childhood.  The diagnosis came through a couple of months later.  So, from beginning to end - just over 2 years.  Others may have a different experience.  Some decided to go private to expedite the process.  For me, the diagnosis has been largely positive.  It's enabled me to make sense of my life, and to have reasonable adjustments made in the workplace.  Again, others may feel differently.  Some, understandably, feel that the condition is a burden.  It's caused many problems for me in life - but I try to look at the positives of it for me.  I'm comfortable with who I am now, which I never was before.

Check out this link for information on Asperger's...

Asperger Syndrome

Also, if you haven't yet taken the AQ test, it's here.  It takes less than 10 minutes...

AQ Test

Good luck!

Tom

Hi Matthew, and welcome!

Being a spectrum condition, autism can manifest in different ways in different people.  No two autistic people are the same.  However, certain traits and characteristics are pretty much present in all neurodiverse people to a greater or lesser degree.  The triad of impairments encompasses it: social interaction, social communication, and imagination (which doesn't necessarily mean that autistic people are unimaginative; it can refer to rigidity of thinking, which comes out in, say, obsessional behaviour, the need for routine, and resistance to change).  If you hit all of the developmental markers, it could point to Asperger's.  I, too, hit all my markers.  In fact, I was ahead of the others during my first year at primary school.  It was after that that the problems really started for me.

As for assessment... I was late-diagnosed (almost 3 years ago, at age 56).  The traits were first picked up on by a therapist I was seeing.  She got me to take the AQ test, in which I scored 42 out of 50 - highly indicative, as most neurotypicals score less than 20.  She then recommended to my GP that I be referred for diagnosis.  The process probably differs from region to region, but where I live (in Kent), it meant a wait of several months before I had a home visit by an autism assessor.  That involved a few more questions about my lifestyle, work, any issues I'd had.  After that, I waited around a year for the main diagnostic interview with a psychologist, which took just over an hour.  My mother went with me, too, and was interviewed separately about my childhood.  The diagnosis came through a couple of months later.  So, from beginning to end - just over 2 years.  Others may have a different experience.  Some decided to go private to expedite the process.  For me, the diagnosis has been largely positive.  It's enabled me to make sense of my life, and to have reasonable adjustments made in the workplace.  Again, others may feel differently.  Some, understandably, feel that the condition is a burden.  It's caused many problems for me in life - but I try to look at the positives of it for me.  I'm comfortable with who I am now, which I never was before.

Check out this link for information on Asperger's...

Asperger Syndrome

Also, if you haven't yet taken the AQ test, it's here.  It takes less than 10 minutes...

AQ Test

Good luck!

Tom

Hi Tom.

Thankyou for the advice.  I have taken similiar tests and taken that one you recommended as well.  I scored 41. Hmmm