Am I unusual

Am I unusual in that  I didn't studiously plan my pathway to an autism  diagnosis? I had a  basic idea as to what autism was, but not anything like the minutae that many seeking a diagnosis have. It was very much a case of WYSIWYG with me. I didn't write copious notes detailing why I might be/was autistic.

Parents
  • I didn't even consider I was autistic, never mind studiously plan anything. I already had a diagnosis (well several), for many years. I just met a new therapy team who suspected I may have ASD and asked if I'd like to go through the diagnostic process. About a month later I no longer meet the criteria for bi-polar or boarderline personality disorder and have ASD instead (did keep cPTSD though).

    I also feel my pathway to an autism diagnosis was unusual. Reading the posts on this site it seems most peoples' path is to self diagnose, ask for a referral, which they wait many months or years for, and put together the reasons they are autistic. It does make me feel I can't quite relate to others here and wonder why my pathway was so different. It's nice to read I'm not the only one who feels their diagnostic journey was a little different and I wonder if anyone else had one similar to mine.

Reply
  • I didn't even consider I was autistic, never mind studiously plan anything. I already had a diagnosis (well several), for many years. I just met a new therapy team who suspected I may have ASD and asked if I'd like to go through the diagnostic process. About a month later I no longer meet the criteria for bi-polar or boarderline personality disorder and have ASD instead (did keep cPTSD though).

    I also feel my pathway to an autism diagnosis was unusual. Reading the posts on this site it seems most peoples' path is to self diagnose, ask for a referral, which they wait many months or years for, and put together the reasons they are autistic. It does make me feel I can't quite relate to others here and wonder why my pathway was so different. It's nice to read I'm not the only one who feels their diagnostic journey was a little different and I wonder if anyone else had one similar to mine.

Children
  • I heard in one video (not sure, but I think it was on the channel “Asperger from the inside” by Paul Micalleff) that most of the diagnosed autistics knew already before, that they are autistic. But not everyone of course. 
    i knew my whole life that I’m different, but couldn’t name it. When I was prescribed meds for depression I literally felt and knew that these meds will not help me long term because it’s just as giving a pain killer to someone with advanced cancer. That it’s just treating one symptom but not helping me with the long lists of my problems. And I was right! The meds didn’t help or very little for short time, but the problem remained. I know that my mom was informed by my teachers I’m probably autistic, so this rang from time to time in my head although she told me later that I’m not autistic when I asked her. She always prevented me from having a therapist even when I was really miserable and suicidal. But she was fine with me being put on awful strong meds. I do t understand it and I think I will never fully forgive her. Anyway for me now the very fact that my teachers told that my mom in my childhood is also a strong indication that I’m right. I have a good memory. 
    i just found a psychologist, so I will see how it goes. But I’m ready to accept that I will never be officially diagnosed and able to join a local support group. There was one moment, when I saw zu an interview between David Grusch and Joe Rogan, Grusch mentioned he is “high functioning autistic” and got intrigued, checked and found an article about it. It shocked me I asked myself “why it’s a description of me”. And my journey started short time later I found this forum, tested myself online and keep reading/listening.