Hi from Australia where it seems impossible to get diagnosed

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Hi there,

I just joined this site today after a frustrating doctor's appointment but have been wanting to chat with people on the spectrum for a couple of years now. This doctor who after freely admitting to not knowing much about ASD's insisted that I couldn't possibly have Aspergers, as "it's something that men have, and they're usually overweight and you can tell by their face". (I have never come across that 'identifying feature' so maybe she even had it mixed up with some other condition)

In the past I had been referred by my previous GP to an in-house psychologist who did a 10-question test for depression or suicidal tendencies, and then tried to coach me on social skills (somewhat helpful, but I actually know cognitively how social skills work, I was specifically asking to be diagnosed, or ruled out)

I know that in my profession, the code of ethics is that if you don't know about something, it is unethical to give advice as if you do have expertise in the area. Why do GPs represent themselves as experts if they haven't even read any recent information about it, at the same time as refuting my views, which are based on hours and hours of research and reading of many books, and hearing from actual people who currently have ASD?? I was told to "stop googling things".

I first understood what Aspergers was in July 2012 at the age of 29 - as soon as I started looking into it, I identified with 90% of the traits and experiences of others with Aspergers.

I would love to hear from others particularly in Australia about their experiences with trying to find medical specialists who understand ASD, and especially whether any women have been diagnosed with Aspergers (HFA) as adults.

Sorry, I'm not from Australia, but have you tried contacting local autism societies? They may be able to help.

The doctors you have seen sound like complete morons.

Hi Yigeren, most of the organisations and services here seem to be geared towards children, or adults with autism (lower functioning), but I will have another look around, thanks for the suggestion
It is very rare to find people who really know what aspergers is in Australia in my experience we're very behind

That must be very frustrating to you. Perhaps maybe a national organization from someplace like the UK, the US, or Canada may even have information for those in Australia?

I would try contacting those places in Australia regardless. I just called every autism organization I could find for a month. I ended up with a list, then went down the list and called just about everyone. I was put on a waitlist for a place where evaluations are done, and they finally called me a few weeks ago.

Most of the places in my area were also geared towards children or lower-functioning adults. There isn't much around for the diagnosis of adults with high-functioning autism here.

Hey jaybe welcome.

What state do you live in? I got diagnosed through headstart and was referred to them by my GP when I brought up the possibility of ASD.


http://www.headstartis.com.au/

http://www.headstartis.com.au/services/ ... -disorder/

Thanks Roadratt

Thanks xile - I live in NSW, I see that headstart is in SA. Thanks for the suggestion anyway. Btw - are you male? I imagine that doctors would be more open to the diagnosis seeing as every medical professional I've brought it up with has said it's something mostly affecting males. Personally I wouldn't be surprised if ASD is actually 50:50 males to females, but biases in medical professions and in society broadly, as well as the differences in presentation in ASD females, mean that they go under the radar.

Hi AspieUtah
There seems to be a cluster of ASD specialists in Tony Atwood's home city (Brisbane), but apart from that, nobody seems to know an iota about it, particularly in women

Hello! I am also not from Australia but wanted to say hi anyway! I am a female and currently in the process of being given an official diagnosis for my Aspie-ness. I know in my heart, but I want to know on a paper too. Welcome here! xx

PS idiot doctors who act totally rude and say stupid stuff are in every country, you should see some of the stuff I have heard in my country....

Welcome jaybe

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

I grew up in Australia and the fact my ASD wasn't diagnosed had profound consequences in my life. I couldn't complete my education and I had to leave the country because it held so many painful associations.

Hi

I would also recommend as another did checking out Tony Atwood. He know his stuff especially regarding late diagnosis in females. He has a website you can check out regarding his clinic. If you are not in Brisbane maybe someone at the clinic can put you in touch with someone closer to you who knows what they are talking about and is properly trained and qualified in the area.

I am in the UK and like you a female late diagnosed and some of my GP comments were just ridiculous.

Luckily I say what I mean and when the doctor said 'I would not say you have Aspergers blah, blah, blah. I said your a GP and I am not asking if you think I have Aspergers I am asking you to make a referral for an Aspergers assessment.

Some GPs have an entitlement issue and think they know more about you than you do.

Anyway good luck and do checkout the Tony Atwood site, He also has lots of videos on Youtube where he talks specifically about females with Aspergers

Belated thanks for the welcomes and ideas - I'll see if someone at Tony Atwoods office can point me in the right direction..
Maybe we can start a compendium of the ignorant responses from doctors