Hi?

Oh right place for that.  I'd start with an AQ50.  You should find plenty for free online.

Then, if that and good old trip down the research rabbit hole leads you to the belief that you might be autistic, you have a choice.  Self-identify - good enough for us and not everyone wants the stress of an assessment, or go to your GP with your AQ50 and a list of reasons why you think you are autistic and how a diagnosis would benefit you and ask for a referral for an assessment. You'll be in for a long wait on the NHS mind.

Meanwhile, welcome.  Got questions?  We here to help

Hi, thanks for the advice, I just looked up the AQ50 and it turns out I've done a that befor, and a few others, they all say that I probably am, but that obviusly they're not a formal diagnosis. I don't think I'ld actualy be able to talk to my gp abuot it, I would approch with the best intentions, but when it comes to actualy talking about it I tend to bottle out and just say what I need to leave the sittuation. not to mention I really don't have a clue how a diagnosis would benefit me, it kind of just feels like the done thing, and I don't really feel comfortable self diagnosing, I've never really been sure enough of anything going on in my head to make any real claims about it.

Hi, thanks for the advice, I just looked up the AQ50 and it turns out I've done a that befor, and a few others, they all say that I probably am, but that obviusly they're not a formal diagnosis. I don't think I'ld actualy be able to talk to my gp abuot it, I would approch with the best intentions, but when it comes to actualy talking about it I tend to bottle out and just say what I need to leave the sittuation. not to mention I really don't have a clue how a diagnosis would benefit me, it kind of just feels like the done thing, and I don't really feel comfortable self diagnosing, I've never really been sure enough of anything going on in my head to make any real claims about it.

thanks, that helps me see a way I might be able to try.

also, I've seen it mentioned a few times that diagnosis has it's pros and cons, but no one ever seems to mention what the cons are. I mean it doesn't exactly sound like a fun prosses to go through, but beyond that, what are the downsides?

I thought I would never be able to talk to my GP about it. Then I was having a crisis and made a GP appointment and said to the receptionist it that was about anxiety (you aren't obliged to tell the receptionist details). It was a telephone appointment and I pretty much said "I am very anxious and I think it's because I'm autistic.". Then I just did yes/no answers because I couldn't manage to say anything else. It was a good GP and he told me how to self-refer to an assessment. No-one ever asked how a diagnosis would benefit me. If they did, I would have said because I am obsessing over it and need to know so I can stop going crazy questioning myself. Diagnosis has pros/cons, but it did at least help me get to know myself better, after it sunk in (which took about a year or more...). It is a valid reason, to want to understand yourself. And for me there have been some other benefits, like coursework extensions at uni, and people like my supervisor being aware that some stuff is unusually hard for me (like interviews/ communication in the team).