Hortus

[apologies for repeat posting- connection is a bit ###### here]

'There is no such thing as 'mild' autism' I understood Autism is a 'spectrum disorder' and could therefore go from very mild to very severe. Or have I misunderstood 'spectrum'?

'There is no such thing as 'mild' autism' I understood Autism is a 'spectrum disorder' and could therefore go from very mild to very severe. Or have I misunderstood 'spectrum'?

I'm very confused now..... conflating the last few posts.... are we saying that; AS is High IQ Autism with no speech delay HFA is simply 'mild' Autism with speech delay and that HFAS is a tautology as by definition AS is High IQ ASD ? and that in 2013 'mild autism' will be grouped with AS?

So does that mean that Asperger's will now be a type of HFA or just another flavour of ASD? My GP currently thinks I have HFA [and what I've read about it, makes it sound pretty likely] but there was apparently no delay in my speech as a child.

RE Travel Insurance- I had a go on 'insure and go' online and assuming you haven't had a violent outburst, are not travelling alone and don't suffer from anything else such as anxiety and depression etc they don't seem to add to your premium. Which is good news.

Thanks for that input. I'm now thinking that it might be a good idea to be referred for some counselling as a first step to explore the extent of the problem and possible coping strategies and then maybe consider a formal diagnosis at a future date.

Just back from my GP [finally made the appointment] which was OK and she thinks I’m probably ‘on the spectrum’. I have another appointmnet next week to see how we want to move forward either just talking to someone about it and maybe some CBT or going for a full on diagnosis. I don’t really know what to do. I don’t like the idea of self-diagnosis [i like to deal in definites and this seems a bit flakey] but if I get a diagnosis will I have to declare it on forms etc and have trouble getting travel insurance etc? I do like the idea of being to explain to people why I’m like I am if need be. But as people have said there’s not a lot of help out there for adults. What are people’s experiences of either scenario?

Hi Karen, Thanks for bringing it back on track. My understanding of the referral system was exactly what you say. In no way was I going to demand a referral, just investigate if this was an appropriate course of action and let my GP decide. Obviously I need to present as honest and full a picture as I can. The thing I most hope to gain should I ultimately receive a diagnosis would be some sense of calm and harmony, and an ability to just get on with my life a bit more, if that's not too wooly. Specifically, this would come from a greater understanding of the way my brain works so I can reduce my stress levels by avoiding or coping with difficult things more effectively. This would help at home as there would be aprreciation that some things are difficult and distresssing for me in a way that seesm out of all proportion to my partner. For example; that simply going out to the pub for me is a big deal and a source of huge anxiety. Maybe some CBT to help me cope, but I appreciate that this isn't easy to get on the NHS. Protection in employment through the Disabilities Act if I feel I need to use that. I guess that's about it- I'm not expecting a wonder pill or cure. HC

Mumble, you have made your points, relentlessly, I'm sure you have no more to add.

I'm well aware of what goes on in online forums. However if you re-read your posts and 'join together the dots' you effectively say that I don't need a diagnosis and if I received one it would not be 'correct and accurate' and would be damaging those with 'correct and accurate' diagnoses -[presumably you include yourself in this group]. Yet you do all this without sharing any information about yourself or really knowing anything about me. Quite a gift.

as I don't know you, I'm not going to launch into my biography here. ....and yet to going to make a judgement on whether I should seek a diagnosis or not.

My comparison with gender etc was more about labels and judgement and not equating AS with them but rather how we are judged by the labels we wear, or other place on us. I'm not sure what you mean by 'across all areas of functioning'. Some things for me are fine, clearly, for example expressing myself in a discussion forum. But most direct human interactions are fraught with anxiety and often misunderstanding and often end without the desired outcome, so I tend to avoid it. Which in our culture makes my life pretty tricky. You speak as if there is not an infinite variety of AS variants and that 'bad, casual, undeserving diagnoses' are affecting 'good, deserving' cases. Or that Aspies can't develop coping strategies to help them muddle through. What's your experience of AS?

Hi Cardamine, I'm dreading the Doctor's really cos I just hate meeting people I don't know and strange rooms [all of which is very Asp] and it all makes me very nervous and I talk to much and generally behave like a bit of a wazzock [if that's how u spell it?] and make jokes and undermine what I mean to say and also because of how it might go- either referral or not worries me... I know what u mean about the aspie specialness- I love that I will follow a project to the absolute end [if it interests me], I love that i can resolve quite complex peroblems fairly intuitively and I love what I call 'fact-based fun'- to have it labelled ' a mental problem' or a disability or diffability is a bit unpleasant. I like to think of it as an alternative or as a variance. It's a bit like being labelled as inferior for your sexuality or race or gender and I know we have legislation, but it's the thought of being known as 'the aspie one'- I know we all have labels and I suppose it would at least be better than being known as 'the peculiar one'! However I do need to stop my life shrinking, otherwise I will spend my whole life indoors and not contribute to the world or be in any way independent and that is something that I want to stop. It feels a bit like they'll have to be a 'coming out' moment and that is scary. I'd rather not self diagnose- I do like a definite answer and at the mo we do flag up aspie things at home- like I just got in from a committee meeting. I hate the interaction and get embarrassed and blush, but i cannot let people trample over others- so I'm caught in this quandry and just have to bite the bullet and attend. But it's a battle against the ASp. Also i worry that if those poeple knew i was AS they might discount my contribution in some way- however well-meaning. I suppose I feel like I'm opening the door onto a street I don't know and that's a bit scary. I really like absolutes and things that are undecided bother me a huge amount. And I've rambled too much again HC

Sorry about that. Was getting a bit overwhelemed. I thought I'd focus on some fact-based prep to distract me for a bit and did the Baron Cohen AQ test [score 34!] which I printed out for the Gp and also went through the AS handouts and highlighted the bits that seemed relevant. I'll just go with my pile of handouts and work through them. I'm just concerned about what another poster said- that 'diagnosis leads behaviour' and worry I will or will seem to be 'acting AS'. Can't win it seems !