Hello from Orangegnome

Hi welcome! I'm also on the diagnosis journey in my 50's - though I'm 53. 

Do you feel quite stressed about it? I am wondering whether I should not put myself through it. I’m worried about all the questions they will ask and whether it’s too much for me. 

Do you feel quite stressed about it? I am wondering whether I should not put myself through it. I’m worried about all the questions they will ask and whether it’s too much for me. 

Thanks. 

I felt the same and was sure it was a mistake. When I went to get the diagnosis I was about 70% sure I'd 'failed'. I kept trying to get hints throughout the process. I was a bit surprised at the end. I asked them when they thought I was and it was in the preliminary discussion before the formal process even started. I needn't have worried. I even challenged the draft report, then apologised.

The point being you can't tell.

If you want to know, so you can feel confident online and not have to be defensive, so you don't need to justify yourself or explain, you have to try.

The screening tests are quite reliable, if you fill them out truthfully.

It’s the nagging feeling that I’m not autistic enough. Or I am but I won’t show it during the assessment. Mine will be online too. Good idea about writing down the pros and cons, I think I will do that. 

I feel more stressed about not getting diagnosed. I feel I need the affirmation of being diagnosed in order to feel real.

My waiting list is 1yr to 5yrs long so I havent gotten to worrying about the questions yet. I'm still hoping to get it changed to right to choose and sooner.

I think it's a personal thing whether to go for the diagnosis or not. I'd suggest writing a list of pro's and cons to help you see which is better. If you don't need to know for medical, houseing etc then you may be right but if medical is an issue it might really help to have accomodations in place. 

My assessemtn will be online so I think it'll be better with the questions. Mayeb try find out more about your particular process and see if knoing makes you feel better, it does me.