Hi - Self - Diagnosed and unsure what to do next...

Hi all

I am a 64 years old male. I have self - diagnosed as autistic  on the strength of some Youtube videos I watched recently. I have a previous diagnosis of ADD from about 25 years ago (private), this was refuted by Maudsley about 15 years ago because I don't apparently respond appropriately to methylphenidate... I tried the drug again a couple of years ago but it didn't end well.

My questions revolve around diagnosis and help.

Are there reputable online tests for autism that I could take to have a better picture of where I am with this.

I am based on the coast between Brighton and Eastbourne, could anyone recomend a therapist? I would dearly like to gain some sort of perspective on what to do about this 'diagnosis' - or if the diagnosis is inapropriate then some guidance generally.

Not looking for sympathy here just a grown up perspective.

Thanks in advance

Paul

  • Hello Paul. I'm self diagnosed and finally happy that I accepted that decision. I had two avenues to come to that conclusion:

    1. When my daughter was properly diagnosed, I did a lot of research about autism to try and understand what that meant for her. Actually what it did was highlight a lot about myself too.
    2. I will also agree with others about the website Embrace Autism. There is so much information out there it can feel overwhelming. This site I thought was very clear in what it did, it explained the tests you can do which are based on research, and it will explain where it thinks some of the questions are not clear enough for autistic people to understand.

    After that, I chose to stay self-diagnosed and not go any further, I am happy with the knowledge I gained, however others may feel different and chose to get a more formal diagnosis which is also fine. I hope that helps you.

  • Hi and welcome to the community! I’m self diagnosed, in my middle thirties. There are tests online, for example on the site embrace-autism.com there is AQ50, Aspie quiz, CATQ, but the most accurate in my opinion is RAADS because it also gives insight into your childhood and how you’ve changed over the years. These tests together give you a general picture of your traits. I find the sources online very helpful, they helped me find solutions to my problems, I find the emotional wheel very helpful because I’ve been struggling to recognize my emotions my whole life, there are also channels on YouTube, such as “Asperger from the inside” by Paul Micalleff. I also find this forum very helpful and I enjoy being part of it, the only social media channel I like. So I wish you find what you need here. 

  • Greetings Paul in Sussex!

    51 years old and just had my first Autism assessment today after using NHS Right to Choose, seen within 1 month of email request to GP in Hampshire.

    Good luck in your journey, lot's of good advice already.

  • Hi and welcome. There are quite a few of us on here in our fifties and sixties - both self diagnosed and formally diagnosed - so you're not alone.

    There are lots of books and videos available to help you understand yourself, and you can post any questions you have on here. Hope you find this forum useful.

  • Decent IQ and lots of mental effort. Like the way you put it. I'm still knackered post diagnosis, but I hope that will improve (age 54)

    Welcome, by the way!

  • Book ordered. Should be here tomorrow. Good old Amazon.

    P

  • Many thanks for this. I will take a look.

    I think it is going to take time to take this all onboard...

    Thanks again

    P

  • no wonder I have been knackered my whole life :

    No wonder indeed! :)

    Autistic fatigue - a guide for autistic adults

  • As advised (many thanks) I went to Embrace Autism - I took a couple of tests:

    AQ: I achieved 37 / 50, apparently over 26 makes autism likely (I forget the exact terminology).

    Aspie Quiz: 132 / 200. which equates to a 97% likelihood of being autistic.

    Not exactly marginal results eh? It makes me wonder how I get out of bed in a morning... I guess a decent IQ and lots of mental effort - no wonder I have been knackered my whole life :- (

    Regards

    P

  • Hi Paul and welcome to the community!

    Are there reputable online tests for autism that I could take to have a better picture of where I am with this

    I second 's suggestion of looking into the tests that are available on the Embrace Autism website. Notably, that website very helpfully enables you to complete the tests online and to save or print off the results (which could be useful for your therapist to see - and perhaps also your GP, if you ever decide to pursue a formal diagnosis).

    The tests that are most commonly used in autism referral screening are AQ-10 and AQ-50. RAADS-R can also be useful.

    could anyone recomend a therapist?

    Before embarking on therapy (or counselling), I recommend borrowing or buying this book, which several members here (myself included) have found very helpful:

    The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

    This practical guide can help you to focus on finding both the right kind of therapist or counsellor and the right type of therapy or counselling for your needs.

    The NAS's Autism Services Directory might help you with finding someone. For example: a search for "counselling" within a 20-mile radius of Newhaven generates four results:

    NAS Autism Services Directory

    Finally, you might also find it helpful to read the resources in the NAS's recently revamped diagnosis hub, which includes sets of articles covering before diagnosis, assessment and diagnosis, and after diagnosis. 

  • Hi Paul 

    self diagnosis is valid, you know yourself better than anyone ever will, I was self diagnosed for 1 year and 6 months, 

    I then began a official diagnosis process 1 year ago and recently got  my diagnosis of autism on the 18th September 

    while I was as self diagnosed I read and listened to quite a few podcasts relating to being autistic and everything made sense to me

  • Hi Sphynx

    Thanks for your input. I will take a look at the Embrace Autism website.

    Regards

    Paul

  • Hi Paul, 

    Welcome to the community. That sounds like a disorientating experience with the ADD diagnosis and refutal... For online Autism tests the AQ (Autism Quotient) is one of the most commonly used in diagnostic assessments. The Embrace Autism website also has lots of others, some of which take into account masking and other autistic experiences not always considered in mainstream, neurocentric assessment processes. 

    The Neurodivergent Therapists Directory is where I found my therapist, great range of practitioners there in different regions and with different presentations and specialisms.

    I hope you find what you're looking for, and in the meantime (as well as afterwards) that this community can be a welcoming space for exploration too.