Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
this is my first post on here. I Had the ADOS and psychiatric assessment this morning and was told that I have ASD/Aspergers, which I have suspected for a while.
part of me is frustrated that I wasn’t diagnosed as a child (I’m 37 now) and that I missed all the early intervention stuff.
part of me is relieved as it explains so much of how my life has been and the difficulties I have had. I guess now I know for definite what the issue is I can try to manage symptoms. I’ve been working through a social skills book the last few months which has helped so much. I really wish that I’d had that book 30 years ago, a step by step guide to social interaction, it would’ve saved me a lot of rejection.
mainly I’m feeling numb and not sure how I should feel.
Anyone else freshly diagnosed or awaiting diagnosis out there?
I'm still waiting for an assessment. I've heard it can take 2-3 years in my area... But I can understand your feelings. For many years, I've actually been really hesitant of whether I should ask for an assessment. Every time I think of it, I simulate the possible outcomes. And in the scenario where I do get a diagnosis, I would feel happy that I've got an explanation of why things are difficult, but at the same time I would be upset about missing out on early intervention. The fear of feeling upset and confused had impeded myself for seeking an assessment for many years. I'm glad to hear that you are working through a social skills book and that it has been helpful. While I'm still currently waiting, I'm also reading a social skills book and working on real life social skills. Communication and the right way of communication could be really helpful in life, for example, it would help you get what you need at work. You seem to have made much good progress, getting a diagnosis and trying to improve your life. I hope I can get an assessment soon.
Hi, I hope you get an assessment soon too.. Personally, ,I needed to know for definate as I'm not very good with uncertainty. I prefer things if they either 'are' or they 'are not' as opposed to 'possibly' or 'maybe' if you know what I mean. It sounds as though you've been thinking about it a lot, do you think that some clarity would help you?
It's really good that you've reading a social skills book too. My theory (I really hope I'm right) is that learning social skills should be like learning a foreign language, the more you learn and the more you practice, the better and more 'fluent' you'll get at it. What I've learnt so far really seems to be working. How are you finding the things that you are learning?
Apologies for the delayed response. I accidentally missed your reply.
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about uncertainty. And closure as well. I really hope it will all end, either a definite yes or no is better than waiting for a long time unsure of your status. I think it's good that the autism community is very welcoming and accepts people who can identify with the traits without diagnosis. But I think for myself, some clarity will help.
I think my social skills are improving. And I am more aware of some of the rules of how to deal with situations involving people than I was before. Though I think I am still mid-way through of learning these things, and I agree that I'll need more practice to be even better.