Diagnosed...what next?

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I was officially diagnosed today with Asperger's. I don't know how to feel about it, usually it takes a while for me to acknowledge that something has happened and to develop any feels towards it. I guess I feel more validated at least and I know I'm not alone now. I have been searching for this answer for as long as I can remember, a bit of an obsession I guess. I have no idea what I am going to do next...I guess learning better skills and coping strategies.

Yep...not much of a post haha...If anyone has any tips or advise, I would love to hear whatever you have to say. Also I want to meet more people like me, I just don't know how to find them....

I'm.glad you got the confirmation.you wanted. Are there ASD support groups.in yourarea? I'vs been attending one and find it very.helpful. People actually understand and relate to what I feel! That ordinarily never happens. And we share how we handled issues ans situations. It has greatly helped me to accept being autistic. It's at the Temple Granind school in Boulder and has been getting good turn-out.. It's a wonderful new thing for me - to support and be supported by people who.are actually like me. Best wishes!

My therapist is looking for groups around me now. I've been looking around online, I hope to find something soon. I am excited to meet people, face to face, that share my feelings and thoughts.

OP, can I ask you a few questions?

1. What country do you reside in?
2. How did you get your evaluation?
3. What was the evaluation like?
4. How long did it take?
5. How much did it cost?
6. Was it worth it?

1. United States
2. Therapist referred me to an autism specialist.
3.Lots of questions, a 40 question inquiry, ADOS 4?, and a review of therapy notes from my regular therapist. Then a team of 11 specialist sat to discuss my case and come to the unanimous conclusion.
4. 3 weeks?
5. They offerd special rates based on income, so, only a few hundred US
6. Definitely worth it, I had to have an answer, it was eating a hole in me.

PM me if you want to talk more in depth, I'll tell you whatever you want to know.

When/If I get my official diagnosis, I'll likely be overjoyed. Waiting years to hear something from a professional and then finally hearing it...

What you can do next? Probably not the best idea to run about telling everyone you know and everyone you lay eyes on that you're on the spectrum, but sharing it with the people in your life and others who you regularly interact with...likely a good idea.

It'll help you and help them.

This is kinda off topic but don't you guys in America think it's bad that you MUST pay for health care. Isn't health care a basic right that anyone should have access to??

A legacy of the cold war and red scare in America is an hysterical response to anything that could be seen as "socialist."

Many Americans are quite prepared for any amount of suffering (particularly if it's other people suffering) to avoid the hint of a rumor of something vaguely like something that could be associated with the idea of something socialist.

If we guarantee healthcare for the ill, the thinking goes, communism is sure to follow.

Most people here don't really believe in basic rights--certainly not the rights that are supposedly the foundational ideology of the nation. If they did, they would not tolerate extraordinary rendition, indefinite imprisonment without trial or appeal to habeas corpus, not to mention assassination of citizens and others by drone strike or other means on no more authority than the president's command.

That's not unusual at all. its a complete change in your lifelong self-identification and it will probably take a while to sink in. It really took me about a year to fully absorb it, during which I went from exhilaration at finally having a name and an explanation for difficulties I'd lived with since birth, and then a deep melancholy as I accepted the realization that I was, in fact, and have always been 'disabled'...'handicapped'...'neurologically impaired'...'brain damaged'...and yet, nothing had actually changed at all, I'm the same person I was before, diagnosis didn't make me any of those things.

So, anyway, it was a very real psychological and emotional adjustment for a while. Add to that the fact that once you accept yourself as officially AUTISTIC (as opposed to just suspecting it), you may become hyper-aware of all your autistic qualities, so that things you've always dealt with may seem even more intense than they used to, because when they happen now, you know what they are.



The fact is, there is no such thing as a basic, natural "right" to anything. You are born with the right to breathe air, and that's it. Has nothing to do with any religion or political philosophy, its just the way the world is. If health was a "right," there would be no disease. "Rights" are a human concept and must be agreed upon and legislated. The idea that your neighbors and fellow citizens owe you food, shelter, health care or a roof over your head that you have not earned for yourself with contribution to society is a lie. You do not automatically have any right to what your fellow citizens have, nor should you expect to share in same without contribution (unless you are legitimately unable). Anyone who promises you anything for free is manipulating you. You never get something for nothing. Freebies are bait, always - and they're always the bare minimum, nobody's going to give you the best of anything.

Last edited by will@rd on 21 Mar 2015, 5:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Wow. That's quite a jump in thinking. That make quite a bit of impact though to make regular people think it is ok for people to sell their homes and businesses for healthcare. Also again this is off topic but they seem to give out medicine a lot over there, sometimes unnecessary medicine and I don't like that at all.

Here's my response to the topic itself.

I understand that feeling of accepting autism as a part of your life. From my experience, "accepting" autism is sort of like acknowledging that you broke up with someone. You get all these questions about life, you feel lied to, and sometimes you wish things could've just gone back to the way they were (status quo ante bellum). However, eventually, you become more educated about the subject, and then you realize that it's not all negative, and that it's more of a part of you, rather than a pure definition.

One important thing that I recommend is not only keeping in touch with professionals, but also take a good look at yourself. What did you always struggle in? On the other hand, what are you skilled in? It sounds simple, but autism is definitely a spectrum; while it's treated as a disability, even that can be inaccurate. I'm a high functioning ASD (Asperger syndrome; although at times I wonder whether I'm ADHD with aspie traits), and the only thing I struggle with truly is social situations (although that's getting better). Getting a glimpse of yourself gives you a better idea of your abilities and disabilities.

Also, I definitely wouldn't recommend going around and saying "I have autism!". People aren't going to see you in the same way. Believe me. Best to keep it private (only with professionals/family, maybe some friends).

It's a long journey, but there's plenty of hope! Best of luck!

I guess the fact that I have compensated for so long is what has kept this from being such a shock to my system.

During the meeting, when I received the diagnosis, they said that I appeared very well informed and well adjusted to the way that I think and how I am in general. I have found ways to make things move smoothly, I use my somewhat awkward charm and goofy oblivious responses to turn negative situations into comedic ones. I am very well trained in how to deal with humans and how to use humor, a dangerous combination if you ask me...

I have only told my mother, father, and my closest 2 friends. I told them because they know I have been searching for answers and they wanted to know what I learned, they have all showed so much happiness and excitement for me since I have received the diagnosis.

I was with you until this this....It went from being somewhat factual to sounding like conspiracy theories that aren't grounded in any form of proof.

Rights are things you can do- not things you can take.

The U.S. healthcare system is broken as it is due to FDA policies among other government interventions. If the healthcare industry was privatized, then healthcare would be cheaper overall. Almost all hospitals are not for profit anyway and many already offer adjustable rates based on income. The government is digging downwards so that they can gather dirt to form a pile so that they can climb out of the aforementioned hole. It will never work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_debt_crisis

Hyperinflation is inevitable.

And people like you are the reason USA is one of the worst 'developed' countries to live in. Seriously, guys. Pretty much every other developed country has agreed that health care is a basic right, and many are giving out free homes to the homeless and such too. And their economies haven't fallen apart under the burden of all that cost.

It's just selfish to say 'I know other people desperately need this, but I don't want to pay taxes for it'. If you don't have the money to spare, you'll be getting the tax money, not paying it out.