How were you diagnosed?

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Can anyone tell how you were diagnosed?

My diagnosis process seems unusual compared to what I have read from other people here, but I will respond anyway.

I went to see a therapist lady for couples counseling and she talked to my husband and I once and decided we both could first benefit from individual counseling. So I saw her and after a few months she brought up Aspergers. She did not want hers to be the only opinion though, so I saw another lady who immediately thought Aspergers. It is fair to mention that by some freak occurrence, I happened to find two people right from the start who know more than most do about PDD's. After a few months of speaking with lady two, I got my next eval by a psychiatrist (rather than a psychologist or standard 'therapist') and after an hour or so, he also agreed, Aspergers (among other things). I did not receive a series of tests like some do, nor did I have to contact any local autism groups or anything. I just had months of discussions with knowledgeable people. I feel lucky in this.

I went to see a psychologist recomended by a local autism group. Turns out the guy did not believe in Aspergers. I saw him three times before I relized he was a waste of time. When I left him he warned me it would be expensive to see a neuropsychologist. So I went to a neuropsychologist He told me from my first visit he thought I had Aspergers and should be tested. I took the 7 hour test on a Friday and got my results back on the following Monday with the results being I have Aspergers. I spent $60.00 for my three visits ending up leaving with the result being Aspergers. I spent $60.00 on the other psychologist and walked away without any results so I ask you who was the better deal?

After the Nueropsychologist gave me my diagnosis he sent me to psychologist who specializes in autism and he himself has Aspergers.

Ha! Good for you!


I was diagnosed by a run of the mill psychologist at my dad's army base. That man was so very kind- he was the first mental health professional of countless they'd dragged me to who I felt was at least as much on my side as theirs. He was a bona fide minister, too, but I didn't find that out til afterward- that's how impartial he was.

Thanks for the replies

I got diagnosed this week.

I never got diagnosed, but the two psychologists I've seen agreed with me that I was definitely an Aspie. At first, I was hell bent on getting an official diagnosis and paper or certificate to prove it, because I wanted closure, I guess. I got so depressed that there was "something clinically wrong with me" and felt sorry for myself. But as time passed, I accepted it and I'm very proud of who I am.

Knowing has made my life so much better. I know now why everything is the way it is, why I have trouble socializing, why I collected tea bags when I was a kid, why loud noises startle me, why I get anxiety with changes in routine and environment, why I stutter, why I don't look people in the eye, why social interactions are awkward, and why my life is the way it is.

Knowing and accepting I have AS has allowed me to feel more confident with myself, and not feel like such an outcast or weirdo. WP has been some of the best therapy I've ever had, because there are others who have the same problems I have when I thought I was the only one. I don't know why, but that has helped the most. I guess it's nice to know you're not alone.

But I'll keep saying this: Be proud to be an Aspie and be proud of who you are!

As a child, I was diagnosed with mild OCD, anxiety, depression, and ADD. I've been prescribed SSRIs and adderall since this time.

I read about AS at some point when I was about sixteen, noticed that it described me very well, but didn't pursue it for awhile.

When I got to college, I started having severe social anxiety issues. I went to my general practitioner who referred me to a psychologist. The psychologist said that AS was very likely and referred me to a psychotherapist who I now see bi-monthly. I haven't gone through the trouble to get an official diagnosis, but my GP, psychologist, psychotherapists, parents, and myself have all come to the same conclusion.

I was seeing my shrink when I was 11 and when I was 12, she thought I could have AS and told my mom about it. Mom wanted a professional to look it over because she wasn't qualified to make the diagnoses. So she recommended this psychiatrist who specialized in autism. So mom took me to him for a while and they always talk about my past and my current issues. Then he diagnosed me with AS for "closest match" for a diagnoses.

I do not remember all the testing. I only remember going there and being in the room with them as they talk and sometimes they both leave and I be in there alone.

Really i diagnosed myself after a period pf painful intrespection. I still didnt entirely believe it though( having been a psych student i am quite familair with tge sophmore effect). So i went to an appointment with a new psychiatrist and just started telling him the things that had convinvinced me. I only realized after that i had not looked even in his direction the entire time i spoke. Oddly enough he confirmed the diagnosis.

I was going through abuse as a kid and I was also being picked on in Jr. Kindergarten, so one day I snapped and I hit some kid in the head with a wooden object a couple times (seemed like a 2x4 at the time). He was bleeding like mad and I nearly killed this kid, so I was sent to the school psychologist and that's how I got diagnosed. My parents finally told me about the diagnosis when I was in Grade 8.