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Female 67 years old. Should I get assessment?

Ice Swimmer

Hi

I am trying to decide whether to get a formal  assessment or not.
Due to a number of events and conversation, I have reviewed my life and taken some online autism tests. In the tests I score highly. I have been shocked by how high, but I have a distrust of online tests, even though I believe I have only used ones which are offered by reputable groups with academic backing as far as I can tell.
I am 67 year old woman. If I was 20 years younger, I would definitely get tested as a diagnosis can help in the workplace. But, I am now retired and I can't help thinking that the meagre resources available should be used by those who will get the most benefit - ideally children. I have considered a private assessment but I have only seen 4 figure sums quoted, which is more than I can afford.
A diagnosis of autism would explain some character traits and a number of the difficulties I have had in life: accusations of being abrupt, finding social situations and making eye contact difficult, having hobbies, activities and interests that I focus on obsessively for a time, liking patterns which led to a love of Mathematics, being a "loner", disliking certain food combinations (e.g. custard and ice cream), meltdowns etc. It could also help with my mental health (hospitalised - including 2 sections - 4 times for extremely severe depression and anxiety + social care) and the type of support I get.
Parents

  • If you know, you know. Many of us are self diagnosed, or have done so until assessment. If you need daily support etc, perhaps a diagnosis might benefit you. Especially if you wish to apply for PIP for example. If you don’t need a work assessment, maybe you need not bother. NHS help is for mental health, and tailored to those that are Neurotypical. It isn’t always helpful for us. Similarly, your depression might in fact be burnout or shutdown, although depression does tend to go hand in hand with an ASD diagnosis because of the how difficult life can be for us.

    I found my diagnosis invaluable last year. I’ll be 50 shortly. I did go private.I couldn’t afford it I suppose, but I used my saving as it was an absolute must for me to have it done asap. I haven’t asked for adjustments in my current job, (but I will when I change jobs), I know I won’t get a look in where PIP is concerned, but I feel so much more ‘me’, and I don’t have to keep questioning it.

  • in reply to Catlover

    Thank you. It is useful to know many are self-diagnosed. So much "fits" if I consider myself autistic rather awkward, abrupt, difficult, obsessive and unsocial, all labels that have been used about me since childhood and which have such negative connotations. 

    My mental health is often so severe that I already get PIP (difficulty leaving house etc). Yes, PIP is not designed for any mental health problem, let alone autismSob

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  • in reply to Catlover

    Thank you. It is useful to know many are self-diagnosed. So much "fits" if I consider myself autistic rather awkward, abrupt, difficult, obsessive and unsocial, all labels that have been used about me since childhood and which have such negative connotations. 

    My mental health is often so severe that I already get PIP (difficulty leaving house etc). Yes, PIP is not designed for any mental health problem, let alone autismSob

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