Hello From California

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Hi. I'm in my early 30s and just now starting to think I might have Asperger's, and so here I am. It is a bit frightening really. I am very new to all this, so please forgive me if I accidentally use an incorrect or outdated ASD term, and please correct me if I do. Anyhow, I recall reading years ago about ASD and reading the symptoms. My first thought when reading the symptoms of HFA was "If these are the symptoms, then everyone is on the spectrum." Because to me, I thought well doesn't everyone have at least 2 or 3 of these symptoms? Surely some people have such mild symptoms that they are not on the spectrum by definition, but these traits are something everyone has to some degree. Now, however, I'm starting to think it might just be me. Perhaps there are many, or even most, people who do not have even mild ASD traits. On a whim I took a couple online Asperger's tests a few days ago, and I scored pretty darn high. That has caused a bit of panic for me. I have great insurance, and now I'm wondering if I should go get evaluated? Or is it even worth it to know for sure? Will knowing be good or bad? And if I do decide to find out one way or the other, which doctor should I pick? I have a lot to think about, and it seems a tad overwhelming. Especially since I might not have it at all.

Anyhow, thank you for allowing me to share this forum with you. It helps to mention all this to someone!

Welcome to Wrong Planet. I guess I am in the same boat your are. I found out about this website from Wikipedia as I wanted to know about Autism and Aspergers. What started out as simple curiosity has evolved into something else. I see a lot of my self in what people post here. I don't score very highly on the on-line tests, but I have many of the characteristics associated with Autism. many people are "self diagnosed" and leave it at that. Others do get a formal diagnosis so they can qualify for benefits, services or just as a means of finding an identity.

Whichever way you go, you're welcome here. Heck, my screen name is NTAndrew and nobody has shunned me yet!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome to Wrong Planet, always good to see another face from San Diego

Welcome to wrong planet Juliana! It's great to see more people from Cali!

There is no need to panic. Whether you are an aspie or not, you are you. I doubt a diagnosis (or lack thereof) would change much about yourself. Some of the questions you asked, such as would it be worth it to know or not, are really up to you. If it weighs on your mind so much so that it becomes a problem, maybe you should get evaluated. Maybe you could create a pro and con list on whether or not it is worth it to you? People react differently when they find out they have aspergers. Some see it as an answer to so many questions that they have had for a long time. Others see it as a label.

How would you feel if you found out you had it? Just imagine it for a second. What comes I mind?

How about if you find out you don't?

As far as what doctor, I suppose it depends on what part of Cali you are from. Maybe research some doctors who specialize on autism spectrum/ aspergers.

I hope you find some peace of mind! I definitely have here!

Hi Juliana, welcome to WP. I agree with what has been said already. I myself suspeccted I had AS for about five years before I was diagnosed, and din't go for a formal diagnosis until I basically got stuck. You may indeed create a pro/con list, and remember to include such things as possible insurance discrimination (you say you have great insurance) should you be diagnosed, yet the possibility of having services paid for too, should you ever need those. I can tell you it's not ideal to wait for a diagnosis until you badly need services, as it take sforever to get t hese services.

As for hwat doctor to see, I think either a psychologist or psychiatrist would be best, but it depends on who is specialized in ASD (I know some neurologists are, too). I first saw a psychiatrist and then a psychologist (I was diagnosed twice).

Whichever you decide, you're welcome here.

Thank you everyone for the welcomes! I have placed a call to a local autism clinic to see about getting an evaluation and I am just waiting to hear back from the doctor. They said they like to do a small phone interview first to see if your symptoms indicate that you need an evaluation to begin with. I admit I'm a bit anxious to hear back. I listened to a news story about an adult who has Asperger's and it just hit me like a ton of bricks. Everything he did made complete sense to me, but the writer would comment on how odd those perfectly logical (to me) behaviors were. That along with the online tests and things I've read in the last few days completely knocked the wind out of me. I had no idea that other people didn't see things the way I do. And I'm suddenly re-evaluating all the things that have happened in my past that now scream Asperger's to me. It is terribly frightening, especially since my daughter is exactly like me.

Anyhow, enough rambling. I'm choosing not to discuss this with anyone, includin my husband, until I know for sure. But I know something is up. If not Asperer's then something similar. And so it helps so much to tell someone.

Welkome to WP

Mick

Welcome! Good to see another Californian here.

I can relate with what you're going through; I came to the realization that I may have AS several weeks ago. It was weird because all of a sudden I noticed just about every aspie trait I have, and it explained so much about why I am the way I am.