Hello

Hi Steve and welcome to the forum. 

I'm a 55 year old female "aspie". Like you, I watched a BBC documentary a while back and started to wonder about aspergers, and when I took the AQ test I was a bit surprised at my score of 41 as I've always been able to cope reasonably well.

It does explain a lot of things though, like my delays in learning to tie shoelaces and ride a bike as a child,  my lifelong inability to catch anything that's thrown to me, my clumsiness, my sensitivity to certain loud noises  my distress at feeling I'm being criticised (whether real or imagined) and my problems with different types of relationships.

It can make working difficult, and I know now why I've never stayed in the same job for more than 5 years. Working relationships can be a minefield  and many people with autism or aspergers fail to achieve their potential and end up working in boring or unfulfilling jobs. You should be proud that you can keep a job and are buying a house - I'm not being patronising, this is often a major achievement for people on the spectrum. 

With regards to getting a diagnosis, the AQ test is a recognised screening assessment, however some doctors are more familiar with it than others. The GP I saw has a background in mental health and accepted my score of 41 as evidence. He offered me a referral to a specialist but explained that I wouldn't get any support afterwards as I cope OK most of the time and can hold a job down. I've heard that some specialists won't actually give you a formal diagnosis if you don't need support in day to day life, no matter how strong your AS traits are. I find it has helped just to accept that I have AS traits and find out more about myself, and joining this community is a great source of support, and just feeling like you're not alone in being like you are is helpful. 

I think the medical profession make an error in judging it as "autism spectrum disorder"  though - I view the word "disorder" as a mental illness that possibly can be cured, whereas being on the autism spectrum is just a different way of thinking and dealing with the world. You don't have to tell anyone about it, and I wouldn't advise discussing it with your employer if you have any concerns about how they will view it. Unfortunately a lot of people still don't have a clue - after all some of us aspies, like me,  are still learning about it! 

Good luck 

Pixie 

Hi Steve and welcome to the forum. 

I'm a 55 year old female "aspie". Like you, I watched a BBC documentary a while back and started to wonder about aspergers, and when I took the AQ test I was a bit surprised at my score of 41 as I've always been able to cope reasonably well.

It does explain a lot of things though, like my delays in learning to tie shoelaces and ride a bike as a child,  my lifelong inability to catch anything that's thrown to me, my clumsiness, my sensitivity to certain loud noises  my distress at feeling I'm being criticised (whether real or imagined) and my problems with different types of relationships.

It can make working difficult, and I know now why I've never stayed in the same job for more than 5 years. Working relationships can be a minefield  and many people with autism or aspergers fail to achieve their potential and end up working in boring or unfulfilling jobs. You should be proud that you can keep a job and are buying a house - I'm not being patronising, this is often a major achievement for people on the spectrum. 

With regards to getting a diagnosis, the AQ test is a recognised screening assessment, however some doctors are more familiar with it than others. The GP I saw has a background in mental health and accepted my score of 41 as evidence. He offered me a referral to a specialist but explained that I wouldn't get any support afterwards as I cope OK most of the time and can hold a job down. I've heard that some specialists won't actually give you a formal diagnosis if you don't need support in day to day life, no matter how strong your AS traits are. I find it has helped just to accept that I have AS traits and find out more about myself, and joining this community is a great source of support, and just feeling like you're not alone in being like you are is helpful. 

I think the medical profession make an error in judging it as "autism spectrum disorder"  though - I view the word "disorder" as a mental illness that possibly can be cured, whereas being on the autism spectrum is just a different way of thinking and dealing with the world. You don't have to tell anyone about it, and I wouldn't advise discussing it with your employer if you have any concerns about how they will view it. Unfortunately a lot of people still don't have a clue - after all some of us aspies, like me,  are still learning about it! 

Good luck 

Pixie