Published on 12, July, 2020
Last night out of sheer frustration at upsetting yet another person, I searched Google, I put something in like 'why do I always upset people when I don't mean to' I found a site explaining about Aspersers and a link to a test to do online. As I was reading the questions in the test I was shocked at how well it all fit me and the problems I have been having, not just as an adult but in my childhood too.
The score was very high 172 out 200. It said I am most probably an Aspie. So of course I started to do more research and found this site. I am female and in my 30s, I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was a young child and this was used to explain my 'shyness'. But it didn't explain why I would get very upset in any kind of group situation. My poor Mum would take me to Brownies or the Girl Guides and I would run out crying, saying it was too noisy and I didn't understand what was going on etc.
Anyway, I would like to get a proper diagnosis, not for any other reason than to know why I have always struggled keeping friends, why they always get offended by things I say and back away. Why I constantly struggle in social situations and avoid them.
I read that it can be hard to get a referral from a Doctors, and when I looked up a local professional who does the diagnosis, it says it is £300. That is a bit much, so now I am nervous to go to my Doctors and ask. I avoid going to the Doctors, haven't been in over 10 years. I don't want to feel humiliated by asking and them telling me no.
Any advice please? Is it really worth getting diagnosed at my age?
I love your thread title. It's very cute.
I am a diagnosed Aspie female. Listen, I know all too well what going to the GP is like, especially about something like this. Please read my stickied thread in the diagnosis section and then prepare an A4 sheet with a few bullet points of your difficult areas, bring a completed AQ10 (link on thread) and explain that you are aware that you are entitled to a referral for assessment according to the Autism Act. You don't need to say too much more. If you have a nice GP (which I know is a rarity) they may chat to you a bit about it. Don't worry, bring brief but implicatory information and stick to your guns. Perhaps if you know your GP is a mean one bring a print out from the NAS page about referrral for assessment. Good luck. I know your journey well.