Hi there everyone,
I've just joined and wanted to say hi and ask if there are any women/girls on this forum who have been diagnosed with autism. Could you please share a little around your traits that contributed to your diagnosis? I know that females often have the tendency to 'mask', which sometimes leads to misdiagnosis. I haven't been assessed and am unsure whether to go forward with it because it is so very expensive here in NZ. I would like to be diagnosed but I'm not sure if I have autism or just another social communication disorder.
I've been looking at the DSM 5 diagnosis manual. It says you need to have 2 out of 4 of the following criteria: 1. Repetitive motor movements etc (ie stims), 2. Insistence on sameness, 3. Highly restricted interests, 4. Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input.
Well, I don't have number 2 I don't think. The closest things I have to 3 are being obsessed with spelling and grammar, which I've become more laid back with now, and a very good memory for 20th century song lyrics/tunes. These probably fall within the neurotypical range.
I think I have number 1: my stims are incessant humming, especially when stressed or excited, clacking my teeth and moving the spit around in my mouth (sorry, gross). Is that enough? Does it have to be visible stims?
I think I have number 4 too, hypersensitivity - I hate bright sunlight in my eyes (but hey doesn't everyone?), I'm very sensitive to bad smells, and now I have children I really struggle with the chaos/noise/being touched etc. that comes with the territory. I also sniff things lol and pick at my skin etc.
I'm wondering, if I go to a practitioner with these things alongside all my communication and social difficulties, will they say it's not enough? Is anyone out there similar to me and has been diagnosed? My niece has been diagnosed with level 1 autism and she visibly stims, needs the same routines etc so it's clear that she was going to get a diagnosis. Likewise my good friend (male) who has just been diagnosed. I don't want to go and pay $3000 to be told that it's not autism. Not looking for medical advice as I know it's against forum rules. Just interested in other people's experiences. Thanks so much in advance for sharing. <3
