Self Identified AS or HFA vs getting a traditional diagnosis

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I don't have professional diagnosis but i think would like one, but it was not until lately that i started considering i have AS or HFA... well, here's a question: I started to get my driving license so im taking driving lessons and have difficulties with it (im very anxious about the traffic conditions: have a focus on other vehicles and signs while running the car properly) can it be a sign of asperger too, or it's just because im a beginner? thanks

I am by nature a skeptic so my initial reaction was, this sounds a lot like me. So far, everything I have learned has deepened my conviction. It may be more a series of "a ha" moments than one big epiphany.



I've never been one to be certain of my self assessments. But I have an appointment for a formal eval and the doc is going to have to be on his toes because I'm likely to strongly question his every step.



Functioning? By outward appearances, I am functional. But I have always been a tightly wound ball of frustration on step away from a complete meltdown. I'm hoping to change that. An official diagnosis will help frame the conversation.

Time will tell IMO.

I had incredible trouble learning to drive and it took ten years from when I first started trying before I finally passed a test, after countless lessons and five driving tests. Still, I can't drive on major roads and motorways etc. I can't drive in heavy traffic and cities. I stick to my quiet rural town (big village, really) and quiet rural roads, and I get by. But I have to use public transport to go into town or if I have to go to hospital etc. So, although I have my license, I'm not a 'driver' like other people are. The thing is, it never gets better with practice for me. I have reached my limit with driving ability, which IMO, is because of Aspergers. So my point is, time will show you if this difficulty with driving may be due to AS, or if you simply need more practice.

That's good because it really isn't wise to hand over all responsibility to Psychs. Experience shows that this is a mistake. For instance, many are quite likely to take their cue from an attitude of uncertainty in you that you must not have AS, especially if you have learned to appear normal "outwardly" as you say. Their attitude may be "Well, if he doesn't seem convinced he has AS, he probably doesn't, and he seems fairly composed and "together". I know it may be hard to believe that some Psychs can be this cavalier and illogical, but just read some of the stories of Psych incompetence on this board.

Some may disagree, but my thought is that the ideal approach is to have decided yourself if you meet the criteria or not, after exhaustive research and reflection. As the poster above said, you know yourself best, infinitely better than a Psych whose qualifications and experience with regard to AS in adults may well be lacking and who may know almost nothing about you. Having decided for yourself, turn up for the assessment with the attitude that "I have AS. I'm here to have that validated. If you don't, I'll need a cast iron reason why you think I don't, otherwise I want a second opinion". That need not be what you actually say, of course, but I think it's a good state of mind to go into the assessment with.

Well, when he asks why I think I am on the spectrum, my answer will be:

"Autism provides a unifying descriptive framework encompassing the totality of my life experiences from earliest memories to the present moment."

If that does not convince him of the depth of my conviction then we won't likely form a productive working relationship.

Sounds perfect to me and I'm glad you have that sense of of a "unifying descriptive framework" because it comes as quite a relief to finally have one, as least it did for me. I'm still shocked to see how many other people here routinely describe - within the framework of AS - even the tiniest aspects of what I long thought were my own personal traits and weird 'tics'. As it turns out, I'm mostly an AS stereotype. And I thought I was so original! LOL.

I am self-diagnosed but then again I have a friend who is a qualified psychologist working with autistic children and she is positive that I have Asperger's too. So I have a kind-of-official diagnosis.

I was diagnosed with Aspergers at age 40 but I knew I had it for 8 months prior to being diagnosed. There were people on WP who were constantly calling those who were self diagnosed liars or saying they misdiagnosed themselves. I also had been accused of misdiagnosing myself so I went out and got myself a good neuropsychologist to give me the test so I could shut that idiot up. My psychologist said after the first conversation with me he knew before testing me I had Aspergers.

I know a person who was told by a therapist they only had "Aspergers traits" being a relative of a male with aspergers, but i could swear she actually has it, at least enough for her behavior to be characteristicly marked by it. She has alot of problems socializing, prefers to be alone alot, and she has trouble with friendships and her conversations tend to be one sided. I don't bout she got tested by using diagnostic tools, she'ld probably score as having the syndrome. But at her age (50 something) and with her temperment (denial), i doubt she'ld be interested.

First let me say how great it is to get so many responses, so soon. Secondly, I now realize I have misspelled "criticism" in the last survey question, and I'm very annoyed at that. Third is to say thank you all so much for sharing your experience and knowledge.
I suppose my issue is, if I come to the conclusion that I do have AS, what will that mean for me. I function pretty well, so a diagnosis most likely wouldn't change anything in my life. But, without a diagnosis, I don't feel like anyone in my family, or even my partner will really believe me.
I knew a little about Autism, but I didn't really meet the criteria, despite having a number of traits. I heard about AS about 4 years ago on a news show, and I could relate a lot to the kid they were interviewing. I didn't really follow up on it, but in the last year I have really noticed how I interact with people, why I have had meltdowns, can't handle some noisy social environments, and some other different things.
I recently took the AS quotient test (37) and the Aspie-quiz at rdosdotnet (Aspie 139 of 200 and NT 67of 200) I know those are not real diagnostic tools, but it is starting to confirm what I have observed in myself. So now I have to make a plan... a way to be able to say, "This is why I think I have Asperger's" I'm going to write about it, writing really helps me sort things out. I can make some concrete statements about how certain traits affect me, and about my last couple of meltdowns, and things i remember growing up.
Thanks again,
Billi

Your doing better than me I do not drive and I do not take the buss because I always miss my stop by being in my own little world.

Thanks, it was one of my small victories getting my license and I haven't had many. I'm a bit concerned about it being taken away if they ever realize how limited I am. But I'm not dangerous because I avoid all situations where I could become dangerous. Actually, I didn't have the courage to drive for another ten years after I got my license LOL. I only got a car two years ago and had to take a load more lessons again before I drove it. It's been a long saga. I hate using the bus so I love the certain journeys I can use the car for, even if they are limited and short. I can't tune out very well on buses - although I try - as I'm too anxious so I never miss my stop as I'm constantly monitoring where I am. LOL.

The funniest line I ever heard about missing a stop on public transport is from a comedy called Spaced, set in London. Mike rings his friend Tim after they were both out drinking the night before:

Mike Watt: Hello Timmy.
Tim: Where are you?
Mike: Err, Sheffield.
Tim: What are you doing in Sheffield?
Mike: Fell asleep on the tube.
Tim: The tube doesn't go to Sheffield, Mike.
Mike: Yeah, I know. I must have changed at King's Cross.

I blew my money on an evaluation with a therapist who wasn't a specialist. She said I had AS traits but wouldn't make a diagnosis because i was married. So if I were single I'd be wearing an "officially diagnoses" badge.

So, yes, I'd like a diagnosis because I am certain of it and it would be nice to have some help in figuring things out but now i have to wait until I have a whole lot more money saved up before I can afford the AS specialist here.