Autism diagnosis??

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,

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/