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lorryw

adult diagnosis

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I quite often read of adults seeking an AS diagnosis and would love to know why? Does it actually help in anyway and do they get help in any shape or form?

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I think it is just to get our suspicions confirmed. I want the official label, I am not yet "officially" diagnosed with AS, although I am "in discussions" with my neurologist.

 

His views are that a diagnosis is a label, and the fact that I have aspie traits are just some of those characteristics that go towards defining who I am - quite true, I guess.

 

But, I would like the diagnosis, just so that I can have some form of "official" explanation of why I appear(?) to be arrogant and rude at times.

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I found that it answered a lot of questions and explained 'why' - Why I did things differently, why I'd get upset, why I couldn't deal with things when other people could etc.

 

Knowing that I'm 'different' makes coping with the world easier as I don't have to worry about the 'why' anymore (or as much anyway). Then there's the fact that you can use it a defence if things get really bad. I know that, for me anyway, a lot of my problems at work, the way people perceived me etc. became 'explainable' once I knew what I was and once the company knew what I was

 

It doesn't make life any easier as such but knowing that I can't do X, Y or Z because I'm AS means that I don't beat myself up for not being able to do it, other people don't get as frustrated and I feel as though I know what I am. How many 'non-ASDs' can truly say that about themselves?

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My 5 year old son has AS. My husband is also suspected as having AS (by his own admission as well as myself and 2 specialists). In our case, we're not seeking a diagnosis for the same reasons as I did for my son. We'd like to have A REASON for my husband's difficulties. I don't want him feeling like a failure. Quite the opposite - if he has AS, then I think he's done really well to have coped for so long!!!

 

C.

Edited by cmuir

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I'm not officially diagnosed with AS because there are no diagnostics centres near where I live. I'm self diagnosed using Tony Attwood's book and info from the internet. I know a psychologist who specialises in AS and he is setting up an AS diagnostic centre at the university he works for that will be open to adults.

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Hi, hope everyone has enjoyed their festivities without too much stress!

I'm curious as to how I would go about getting myself diagnosed for Asperger's, how do I go about it? My 10 year old son Barry has ADHD and Asperger's, and I see a lot of his traits in my own behaviour. Also, as other people have already said, it would explain rather a lot about my past! Any info will be gratefully received, and I wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

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Hi, hope everyone has enjoyed their festivities without too much stress!

I'm curious as to how I would go about getting myself diagnosed for Asperger's, how do I go about it? My 10 year old son Barry has ADHD and Asperger's, and I see a lot of his traits in my own behaviour. Also, as other people have already said, it would explain rather a lot about my past! Any info will be gratefully received, and I wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

 

Two options: Private or NHS. If you opt for the private route then the NAS is a good place to start as they can supply lists of 'recognised' psychologists (hopefully there's one near you). If you opt for the NHS then the GPs is the first port of call but definitely best to go prepared (a list of things detailing 'why' you think a dx might be in order and what a dx would mean/how it would help). Then of course it's the long wait to see a specialist...

 

If it was me then I'd go to the GPs either way (some private surgeries require a referal anyway). Just make an appointment and then go along and explain what's going through your head, that you wonder whether an ASD dx might be useful, what set you thinking etc. and talk to the doc

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I know with myself it was so I could be sure that the reason why I did things some ways and why I had difficulties was for a reason. The label hasn't changed me.

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With me, the reason why I'm seeking a diagnosis is to find out why I'm 'broken', for want of a better word. Whether it's AS or something else is fairly irrelevant, to be honest. Once I've found out, then I can use the information, especially at work, where I've been having a few problems. If there's a reason I've been making the mistakes, hopefully things will be easier. Luckily, my work OHC and the healthcare plan I have through work are helping me, and I'm seeing a specialist (xxxxxxx) this Friday.

 

 

 

(Edited to remove name of professional in line with forum rules - Nellie)

Edited by nellie

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I wanted the diagnosis for two reasons:

Firstly, I'm fed up with being treated for bouts of depression and anxiety with no specific cause, and knowing that I'm 'a bit different' but not being able to specify. When I read up on AS, everything slotted into place and I felt a 'label' was the right thing for me as it puts everything under one umbrella. However, many people don't want the label - it's a matter of personal preference.

 

Secondly, I have problems at work with the way my boss likes to flit around different projects and bombard me with short phone calls all day which I find very disruptive. I am much happier and more efficient when allowed to concentrate on one project at a time and switch to other tasks at logical breaking points rather than at the drop of a (my boss's) hat.

 

I only got the diagnosis a fortnight ago and I am currently working on the draft employer's letter. Curiously, the one thing that I really wanted is the hardest to deal with; but if I don't get this sorted I really am going to either have a nervous breakdown or walk out of my job and end up desolate and homeless, so it has to be done!

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I also wonder whether I tick enough boxes for a diagnosis. I have never been in a relationship for more than a year. Usually 2 months and I would be dumped. I have a lot of qualifications and a high IQ but have never earned more than minimum wage. I was bullied at school and have been very lonely at parts of my life (but I do have friends). The only way I can cope with social occasions is with a drink in my hand. Plus I am very unco-ordinated.

 

I think if I got a diagnosis I wouldn't tell many people - it would be enough to know I am not the loser people percieve me to be.

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I actually have a dx of AS and I regret it now due to predjudice that I am a loser which I didn't have before, I don't present typically so now I just look like a hypochondiriac instead to those who don't understand what it is,but at the time I didn't know what else to do as Ihad been struck doctors register after suicide attempt because i could not get my son the help i felt he needed, and I could not cope, also had a series of traumas occuring simulataneously ie losing home with massive debt at the same time as trying to get j difficulties recognised which took 10 years, and i felt if he got the help he needed, I'd be able to cope better with his difficulties and he also had a breakdown, I became obsessed with getting a dx because then I thought medical people would understand and listen to me, big mistake, it led to even more misunderstanding and predjucdice, when jake was also dx I though he would get the help he needed but he didn't it just led to predjdice that made things worse. I believe that if Jake and I had got the understanding and correct help I would not have got so ill with depression and fear. H eeventually ended up homeless and mentally ill and has never had any help although he is thankfully no longer homeless. He wants to work in building but cannot access appropriate support for him as he will not engage with people due to bad experiences from job centre, and really I can't blame him, he has had some jobs and done very well at them but gets overloaded and can't get to work on time etc and becomes stressed. He refuses to acknowledge label or any difficulties he has and believes any problems are too do with me and in a way I suppose he is right although I did what I believed was the best thing and couldn't cope myself

 

I also believe my difficulties are treatable, I have a treatable auditory processing difficulty and obsessive compulsive personality ( the dx criteria according to gillberg is exactly the same for obsessive compulsive personality as for AS) which is worse under stress but is the only way I achieve things and in fact excelled at in the past as a makeup artist for magazines and theatre. My son however although also having asd was i believe brain damaged at birth with cord round neck dent in head and was not breathng, but my naievity didn't realise at the time, and it was not recorded or dx at all as i had not raised it due to naeivity and difficulties and communcating myself and had no idea it w ould cause the problems it did.

Edited by florrie

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