My "Working" Diagnosis - questions about childhood

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Hi all.

So I'm hoping for some advice as I'm really quite confused about what I should do.

I've been on the path of a diagnosis, in the UK. I was on the waiting list for about 10 months, but this April the interviews began. I've been seen 4 times, each lasting an 1-2 hours. I have gone alone to the appointments and not discussed anything about Autism with my family or anyone else. Having given them alot of information in this time, we are coming to a close on things.

I now have two options.

1) I accept a "working diagnosis".
2) I involve my mother and ask her to be interviewed about my early development. This is the only way they will consider a full diagnosis, given my age and the fact I actually live with my mother.

Now, we have a... complicated relationship, but most of my reluctance is probably cowardice on my part. Unwillingness to spend hours in discussion trying to convince her is a nightmarish thought. And if they conclude after all of this, that I am not in fact on the spectrum, It's going to be painful.
I would like to know more about what they are wanting to hear about the first 5 years of my life, to convince them if I do or do not have an ASD? What is the behaviour, of young girls in particular? If I know more here, it might help me decide what to do.

Any advice/input would be appreciated, being that I have no one to talk to about this.

Thanks for reading
Swift

It is a difficult one. and a decision I can tell is something you can't take lightly.

Personally, if it were me - I'd go for it, I'd want to know for sure. But obviously I don't know your situation.

Perhaps, you should talk to your mum about it?

You might learn a lot about your childhood that you didn't know about. But ofcourse only you will be able to decide if you want to go through with that or not.

I hope you don't mind me asking though, how did you get your refferal? and where were you reffered to? I'm looking to be assessed but not sure where to start.

Hey.
Sure, I don't mind. What I did, back in March 2011, I went to see the gp (again) to discuss getting help with my issues, mainly social problems. I had no intention of bringing the subject up with her. It was just too difficult to talk face to face like that.. I just listed the troubles to see if she would figure it out. (she didn't). She reffered me to the local depression and anxiety service. After a phone session with somebody here, I finally found the courage to mention the words. I said I thought I might be on the spectrum. This man with the DAS helped me over the phone, asked me questions, over qute a few phonecalls. I gave him my AQ results and eventually I completed the RAADS - on the phone.

I think by May- September 2011 I was placed on a waiting list for a group that hadn't even been set up yet. The Devon Aspergers and ADHD service. They were ready to see me April 2012. It was a long process I guess but I think it is much harder at the start. Waiting gave me time to prepare. If you know what you're talking about and you write lots of things down, it isn't too bad. For the first meeting of my life, it didn't have to try to be normal!

Talk to who you think can help you and tell you who your closest service is I suppose. Good luck and I hope it goes as smoothly for you as it has for me.

Until now that is. I expect it will feel like a waste of time if I just accept working diagnosis. The psychologist has personally said she feels quite sure that I have aspergers but cannot put this in writing. .

I do feel like I know alot about my childhood.. My mothers memory isn't the best, and given that she has had lifelong social difficulties, most are under the impression that this is why I am the way I am.

Thanks for your reply

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply.

I understand how you feel, in that it might feel like a waste to time accepting a working diagnosis. But atleast if you do, you know that you probably do have Aspergers Syndrome (or are on the spectrum at least.) If you do accept the working diagnosis, will you get any support that you (may?) need?

I think if it were me, I'd want to continue, but I'm not in the position you are at, and I don't know your situation so I can't really advise.

Probably what I would advise is to think about it, and do what you feel is best for you.

Thanks for sharing how you approached the point in which you are at, I have been to the doctors previously and been treated for Depression and Anxiety, but I've never brought this up, and they've never mentioned it - I'm worried incase they'll just brush it off to be honest.

Yes I can still be somewhat pleased to get working diagnosis. I have doubted myself many times over the last year so it is a relief.. As explained to me, a working diagnosis cannot be taken as proof for benefits or the like. So really, no, it wouldn't help get me any support.

I appreciate your trying to help, so thanks. That's what I'm going to do is just think some more I guess.

I should hope they won't brush it off, go prepared if/when you do.