Autism diagnosis??

Hi Maisy ,

Thank you for your post and welcome to the forum! You may like to look at our information about autism spectrum disorders:
http://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is.aspx

If you were interested in finding out if you are on the autism spectrum, you would need to have a formal diagnostic assessment. You may find it useful to have a look at the following link for further information about diagnosis and the benefits of getting one:

http://www.autism.org.uk/about/diagnosis.aspx 

Furthermore, it is important the professional you see has experience of autism spectrum disorders. You can find details of diagnostic services on our Autism Services Directory in the Assessment and diagnosis section:http://www.autism.org.uk/directory.aspx

You may like to have a look at the following page which includes personal accounts, which may help:http://www.autism.org.uk/about/adult-life/stories.aspx

It might also be useful to pass on information about autism to health professionals when seeking a diagnosis. The following page includes information for a range of health professionals:
https://www.autism.org.uk/about/diagnosis/professionals-involved.aspx

If you have further questions, you may like to contact our Autism Helpline team. They can provide you with information and advice about getting a diagnosis. You can call them on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm).Please note that the Helpline is experiencing a high volume of calls and it may take a couple of attempts before you get through to speak to an advisor.

I hope this helps,

ChloeMod:)

Hi, Maisy - welcome to the forum.

My best advice would be to look through the information about autism (on the NAS website) and write down examples of why you think they apply to you. It might help to take this list to your GP so that you remember what to say, or you can pass them the list if you find yourself struggling to speak.

If your GP doesn't listen (mine was, unfortunately, quite unhelpful), there are other routes you can take. I self-referred to my local NHS mental health service for my anxiety and OCD, and I requested an autism referral in my initial mental health assessment (I explained how I felt my mental health and potential autism were linked, e.g. sensory issues are heightened when I'm anxious). The mental health assessor took me seriously, listened to my examples, and referred my for an assessment. I had an initial telephone assessment a couple of weeks ago and I'm now waiting for the face-to-face assessment. It's a long wait but, in my opinion, it's worth the wait if it can help me understand myself better.

In the meantime, I'd recommend taking a look at Purple Ella and YoSamdySam's YouTube videos - they were diagnosed as adults and have some really helpful tips and advice. 

I hope your doctor's appointment goes well and you get the answers you're looking for.

Hi Maisy,

You ALWAYS have a right to go through a diagnostic process to better understand yourself and should always be taken seriously.

Just remember the diagnostic is usually a combination of tests such as the AQ or RAADS, symptoms, traits, and observable behaviours (but there is no standard procedure). But these also have to be delivered in a clinical environment with someone trained to do them, as it's more than answering questions as they are often (without realising) pushing certain areas to see your reactions/behaviours to see if there really is a neurological issue.

On top of this, they have to be qualified in diagnosing it, which many GPs and Therapists aren't. There are lots of things that can cause autism traits and it's for a specialist to sift through them and see where they might stem from. This is even more important for females as it does appear different and many can wrongfully dismiss typical Autism traits that are much more commonly oriented around males (male here).

The diagnostic criteria is a little different than most people expect. As of DSM5 (as applicable, there are also other manuals) it's all of the following at a minimum:

• Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts. (such as normal social reciprocity, understanding social situations, nonverbal communication, eye contact, deficit in relationships etc.)

• Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests. (such as obsessive interests, inflexible routines / insistence on familiarity, rigid thinking, difficulties with change etc.)

• Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (must be present from early age / developmental level, which is why parents are usually involved in the diagnosis, if there were no signs at a young age, then no diagnosis.)

• Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning. (The symptoms are present enough to actually have an impairment on your daily life in some-way)

• These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay. (Basically, there is no other reason for the behaviour, such as ADHD, BPD, PTSD etc.)

But irrespective, if you're concerned and want to make yourself better, you always have a right to ask, and always have a right to go through a diagnostic process. Just remember there is no cure with autism, so you just have to do it for the right reasons :)

So depending on your location - I always say, do your diligent research and really think about it, build a small portfolio/case why you relate to ASD and then take that to your GP along with WHY you want a diagnosis as that's just as important. Then they should refer you to the relevant specialist. Be wary if you're in the UK, NHS have long wait times and private is costly. 

If I can help in anyway, just shout!

This can also help for US (and some UK) based help: https://www.reddit.com/r/aspergers/comments/gcaxqc/aspergers_basic_info_diagnosis_procedures_may/

Hi Maisy. I'm in pretty much in the exact same position as you, except others haven't told me as I the people I know don't much about autism & I've a very limited circle of friends (& always have - I'm 55 by the way)... Oh yes I'm also a massive masker/avoider.

For myself I'm deferring going for a 'proper' diagnosis/assessment. At my age I can't see how this would be of any benefit. I'm a good & diligent researcher so I'll be doing that first. I can always change my mind later. Once diagnosed gettinung diagnosed is likely to be much more difficult.

As Always what do is give advice,opinion & personal experience in the hope this will help you chose a course of action suitable for you :

With a complex situation like this I always slice it up into small one issue chunks. Trying to deal with it as one lump, for me, ends up with cyclical procrastination. If you're not a good researcher try & find someone you know & trust to help you.

For instance with your problem;

What would you be hoping a diagnosis would accomplish for you ? - is that a realistic outcome? research just this question only.

related - what would be the possible negative repercussions of a diagnosis if any? How would you handle such a possibility if it arose ? (just realised this is a risk assessment :) )

How pressing is it to do this now? Clearly you've had this all your life (assuming it's not something else) & have had to deal with it. So is there time to take you're time deciding? (This is what I'm doing. I'm still me, no matter what & I'm positive I'm Aspie but I did look into every other possible cause that I've seen mentioned before settling on that. If I come across anything else I'm prepared to change that self diagnosis too.)

Should you decide to go ahead, be prepared. What if they say you're not ? How certain are you you are ? would/could you stick up for yoursel & get a second opinion?

Try & check on the how you'd be assessed in you locality. I understand this can vary a lot, as can provisions for assistance once diagnosed.

& lastly - should you go ahead & be correct, look at the pros & cons of disclosure & who you disclose to.

(feel free to add to my list - they're just the first things I thought of.)

As for nervousness about seeing your doctor about it, can you write down all your evidence & feelings on the subject before hand & let them read that ? explain why you've written it & not spoken it.  For me the greater the motivation the more likely I am to tackle awkward meetings. Once you've sorted out what you want/expect from this situation you may be more motivated.

I hope that helps you in deciding on what(/not) to do next.