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Ashmew
Emu Egg
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Joined: 21 Oct 2017
Age: 29
Gender: Female
Posts: 2
Location: Australia

21 Oct 2017, 5:56 pm

So, I live in australia and we have this new scheme rolling out that basically gives money to organizations to support you and to be able to buy stuff for you. Upon looking at the requirements, if you're autistic you have to be level 2 or 3 of the new diagnostic criteria.

I haven't had a reassessment in a long time, in fact I haven't seen a specialist since I was a teenager and I think I must have been diagnosed under the old criteria. (Diagnosed in 2000) I was diagnosed as an Aspie back then, but to be honest as time went on I realised that maybe that was incorrect. Looking back on my own memories and listening to others talk about how I was as a child, it seems that I displayed more typical high functioning autism. (Eg, Lining things up in a row, going off into a different world, lack of emotion, extreme rocking, explosive and violent behaviours/meltdowns/tantrums, extreme obsessive behaviour (eg. Handwashing until skin was completely red raw), skin picking, being extremely resistant to change, high sensitivity. (Smell, sound, touch. To the point of not hugging anyone until around the age of 12.) These are all examples, but I had most if not all of the typical stuff associated with autism, except for any significant intelligence or mental impairment and I was also somewhat verbal.

A lot of these behaviors of course persist today, but not as extreme of course and I've managed to struggle into independence (Sort of, I rely on my partner for nearly everything still) and adulthood with great difficulty. (Not to mention my range of mental and physical problems that go along with everything as well)

Anyway, I want to try and access this new scheme, but I'm afraid of going to get reassessed. I've heard some people are basically being un-diagnosed with autism, because they don't fit the critera. I rely on government financial support at the moment and i'm afraid I'll lose it.

SHould I go for it or not? if I get undiagnosed i'll be literally screwed, but I really do need the help and support because my life is going nowhere and my partner works 9-5 and can't always take care of me. I also doubt i'd be considered severe enough to be a level 2 anyway (I looked at the criteria and it seems harsh) :(


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Professionally Diagnosed as: Aspie, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, Anxiety disorder, depression.

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Your neurodiverse (Aspie) score: 169 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 46 of 200
You are very likely neurodiverse (Aspie)

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AQ = 40


ASPartOfMe
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Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Age: 66
Gender: Male
Posts: 34,494
Location: Long Island, New York

21 Oct 2017, 7:03 pm

Most "aspies" get diagnosed with level 1 so with the caveat I am not familiar with the new scheme I would avoid reassessment.


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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity

It is Autism Acceptance Month

“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman


Pieplup
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Joined: 15 Dec 2015
Age: 20
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 2,658
Location: Maine

23 Oct 2017, 1:37 pm

I was diagnossed in I think fall 2013 not really sure at I didn't really know what autism was till around the time I joined this forum. I'm diagnosed with PDD-nos. I haven't been reassessed yet. I don't really feel a need to either.


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ever changing evolving and growing
I am pieplup i have level 3 autism and a number of severe mental illnesses. I am rarely active on here anymore.
I run a discord for moderate-severely autistic people if anyone would like to join. You can also contact me on discord @Pieplup or by email at [email protected]