Hello from Orangegnome

Hi thank you, I have found the forum great so far, so much information and other people’s experiences, make a difference to read so much from other people who are autistic or seeking a diagnosis. 

Hi! Happy that you decided to join in on the forum. There are loads of great people on here. I hope you’ll find it helpful!

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.

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. 

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

A warm welcome to our community.  I hope you like it here.

Oh thank you for your welcome. Yeah I sound fairly similar to you! I have been having a read through some of the conversations, I already feel at home

Hello and a little late welcome from me
You'll definitely fit in well here - and you sound a little like me - stimming even when in well known company, being highly sensitive and hyper focusing on specialist interests - I was mis-diagnosed in February (long story), but after an emerency doctors appointment and a couple of meetings with the head psychologist at the same place, I got my ASD diagnosis in May this year (day before my best friend's birthday). I'll be turning 39 in less than a week - but I prefer speaking to people either older or younger than I am. 

Hope you enjoy your time here

Mweekie xx

Hi, thank you 

Thank you. I have already felt that, and also enjoyed reading other people’s experiences. 

Hi Orangegnome 

Welcome to the community.

You are in a good place here during the process of your journey. 

I’m in my 60s and I enjoy being part of this community

Oh thank you, I’m pretty sure I will. So far people have been friendly 

Hi and welcome to the community. I'm a woman in my sixties and I enjoy reading and playing video games. Hope you enjoy chatting with us.

Oh thank you. This is going to be my kind of party.

Sounds like you'll fit right in here. Welcome to the party!

Thanks. I have a lot traits. I am going to spend some time looking around the pages here and find out about other people’s experiences. 

Hi, thanks.