Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello,
Over the last few years my family have made jokey comments about how I sometimes exhibit autistic behaviours like obsessions, struggling with loud noises, not being able to read situations etc. The more it’s been said to me the more I’ve felt like what they are saying could actually be true.
I really struggled at school and have always been a bit ‘different’ to people my own age, I’m 23 and have struggled with anxiety since my teens. I also had anorexia when I was 5, my mum has always said it was to do with school but I’ve always said it was because I couldn’t stand the texture of some foods, I’m fine now but still a bit fussy as I just can’t deal with some textures.
Anyway, I’ve done lots of research recently and I’m pretty sure I’m somewhere on the autistic spectrum, it doesn’t negatively effect my life really but it would make me feel less ‘weird’ if I knew, however, as I don’t require any extra help I do think it would be wasting everyone’s time to go to my GP and go through the long process of getting a diagnosis. Is self-diagnosis a thing or is that not really the done thing? I wouldn’t need it for anything other than my own knowledge.
Thank you!
Hi Madwr,
(This is my opinion, but it is shared by many autistic and neurodivergent people. My views are also informed by my acceptance of the neurodiversity paradigm.)
Self diagnosis (sometimes known as self-identification) is absolutely acceptable - we know that clinical diagnoses are a privilege, afforded only to specific sub-groups of the autistic population (see here if you are interested: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/autism-and-bame-people and https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/autistic-women-and-girls). If you wish to self-identify as autistic
When self-identifying, though, I always draw attention to three caveats:
1. You must have researched what it means to be autistic - this could involve speaking to autistic people themselves (such as on this forum) or it could be reading books or webpages on autism. The fact that you've done lots of research is a good sign.
2. Know that you won't be able to access certain services with a self diagnosis, since our services largely rely on a medicalised model of autism.
3. Know that there are certain people who will deny the validity of self-diagnosis/identification. You can often disregard such comments because they will probably know (much) less than you do about being autistic (provided you've done your research).
From the brief information you have provided, your traits do fit into a larger set of autistic characteristics and traits. Lots of neurotypical people experience certain autistic traits (leading to the incorrect suggestion that everyone is 'a bit autistic') but it is the intensity of those traits which differentiate autistic people.
Just the knowledge that you fit into the spectrum in some way can be really powerful for your self-understanding and mental health, even if you don't need to access services.
If you want any further information, do let me know
- Sp. Oc.