Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello everyone, I'm Hayley, and having done a lot of research after various people who don't know each other suggested to me that I am Asperger's, I am tackling it head-on.I have recently started counselling for my anxiety/low self esteem issues. I exhibit quite a few Asperger's traits. Recently I found my old school reports, a time capsule if you like - and some of the comments are quite telling. Once counselling is finished I want to take things further and ask for a proper diagnosis. I am aware that the first step is to ask my GP - but I can't just walk in there and tell him that I think I have a mild form of autism - I need to present my argument constructively so that he understands that this is a big deal for me.Advise and information will be most welcome, as will be experiences from others who have recently realised, into adult life, that they've lived with something that's made them 'different' their entire lives.Hope to get more insight into this.
Hayley
Hi Hayley,
Welcome to the forum, just over a year ago I came here in the same position as you. I am now diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. Anxiety goes hand in hand with Autism and I have suffered with it my entire life. I didn't really have any major problems growing up, I was very quiet and studious but had friends and did well academically. I only really started having problems once I became an adult and the world became a much different place with more responsibility and problems to manage.
From going to my GP to diagnosis took just over a year, I have heard of it taking even longer for some people (an example of this conveniently above!).
As Martian Tom above has suggested, taking the Autism Quotient would be a good place to start. I also found it useful to keep a list of my issues and printed a copy of for the GP, it made it a lot easier to make my case as I did not forget anything and was able to get my point across easier. I also took it to my assessment and the psychologist found it helpful.