A shot in the arm for self-diagnoser's (Good thing)

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Sorry, but it's apparent (at least in North America) you are flat out wrong. There is zero reason for an employed, independent Aspie like me who knows what his limits are and the people in his life accept him. With a label, that opens up the possibilities for companies, insurance in particular to come up with an ridiculous excuse to jack up your premiums. Have Aspergers? That means you are more likely to be mentally ill or commit suicide. Since you are "diseased" that means to an insurance company "we have to double your rates". Don't call me paranoid either: they did the same thing to my parents with their diabetes even though it doesn't affect their driving skill at all and these companies will use any ridiculous logic to %#$$ you. I should know: they tried tripling my car insurance because I had a week's gap in coverage and I was suddenly "high risk" to all but one company.

Remember I was told this by a medical expert, not something I made up out of thin air. After 22 there is zero help in Canada even if I needed it unless you have a criminal record or mental illness to go with it. Not to mention even so called experts are clueless about ASDs in adults.

Although I haven't used any direct quotes from anyone here but myself, I feel I should disclose that I've taken my somewhat ranty post and put it on my blog with a short explanation: http://crowdedhead.blog.com/

If anyone wants their opinion on the matter further spread, be it in agreement with me or not, feel free to have a look and leave a comment. I will approve any reasonably polite comments made there.

Did you know that punch cards were in use long before the holocaust?


The Nazis just used what they thought was the most efficient tool available at the time.

I'm a bit surprised to find so many don't think a diagnosis is a helpful thing to have. In my case, I am seeking one because, having finally figured out what is likely to be the cause of the social and practical difficulties I have had in my life, I will be able to explain it and ask for the appropriate help and understanding where necessary. This doesn't mean I will be telling everyone I meet about it because I certainly won't, but in certain circumstances I can see it being extremely helpful. If I asked for the things I needed without any explanation, such as in an employment situation, people would assume - as they have done for most of my life - that I must be stupid, unreasonable, lazy, difficult, etc. However, upon being supplied with a medical explanation, people are generally helpful and accommodating.

I would never presume to tell people I have AS when I don't have an official diagnosis - not because of any opinion I have about the legitimacy of self-diagnosis, but simply because I have nothing to back myself up with if I am challenged about it, and I am far too shy and verbally challenged to be able to defend my position without that simple official confirmation of what I am saying.

While I agree that the "having to have the piece of paper" concept is silly, just like many things about society, that is just the way our society works and we have to live in it.

Sure, but there is evidence to suggest IBM conducted business with the nazis. Maybe they were not aware of the full extent of what they were being used for, however I think the company should at least apologise, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/ma ... reducation

Who didn't do business with the Nazis?

And what the feck does this have to do with the topic of this thread?

I'm on a disability benefit for a rather vague reason, namely: "severe dysfunction on meta and macro level." That's medical speak for social dysfunction. I'm supposed to report any changes in my state of health, so I dutifully phoned them to inform them that I strongly suspect my social dysfunction to be Asperger's syndrome, or some other ASD, or BAP, and asked them if I should get a formal diagnosis. They referred me to the nearest Autism Center, but said it wouldn't make any difference for my disability benefit.

When I phoned the Autism Center and explained why I think I have AS or some other form of autism, but also why I'm in doubt (I'm better than average in reading bodylanguage and facial expression), they advised *against* getting a formal diagnosis. I'm 55 years old and financially secure. The chances that I'll ever get employed again are close to zero. My only hope is self-employment on which I'm working very hard. Even if I get the formal diagnosis, there are no services available for me.

They confirmed what I've felt all along. If AS makes sense to me, explains the difficulties I had in my life and helps me to cope better with the problems I have, why on earth get a diagnosis that will only drain resources? The time of autism specialists is much better spent on diagnosing children and young adult who have their whole life ahead of them and who *can* get help.

You're both right. Punch cards as data storage were developed before the First World War began, for the US Census. In that sense, the Nazis just used the best tool available.

But, the punch card systems in use required that cards had to be designed by specialists who understood the machines for every specific use. So IBM employees - as well as others who worked for Dehomag, a German subsidiary of IBM - designed each of the cards used not just for German railways but in the death camps. The numbers tattooed on prisoners' arms were punch card numbers, there were punch card machines in those camps, and those machines were leased, not owned, by the Nazis, and maintained by employees of IBM and Dehomag (once America entered the war, by Dehomag employees only, of course). After the end of the war, those machines were even protected by the US Army as "American property" since they belonged to IBM. So IBM did, literally, develop the punch cards used in the Holocaust. Since much of this system was in place before the war began, and since IBM engineers from the United States were heavily involved in helping the Nazis set up their various systems, there is no reason to think they were not involved in the development of those cards - and they could only have designed them if they had at least a fairly clear idea of their intended purpose.

Of course, eugenics was still hugely popular in the United States, and there were many in the US who corresponded with Nazi "race scientists", urging them to set an example for the rest of the world. So you could argue that what they were doing would not have been seen as wrong at the time. However, my own view is that certain things are evil. Period. No matter what anyone decides to think about them. I don't care what excuses they had, I consider IBM's involvement in a system designed to eliminate "undesirables" and track slave labour for profit to be evil.

If there is an official reason why you need the paperwork then of course I understand. And I also understand that it can be easier to just show people that paper and they stop questioning your condition. I certainly have the problem from time to time that when I tell them I have AS as an explanation for some bit or other of behavior, they don't believe me and add "hypochondriac" or "liar" to the list of negative thoughts they have about me.

On the other hand, I've noticed something else: if you tell people "I have asperger syndrome" in a confident and matter-of-fact tone, no one ever asks if you have a diagnosis. They assume that you have one, if you're saying it like that, and it's not like anyone asks to see proof. When you have it in your head as a solid fact, and state it as such, people will generally accept it even if they find it surprising. The same way if you say you have cancer, no one will ask for a doctor's note.

This is a good point and I believe it. However, this would not work for me for two reasons - firstly because I am very anxious in social situations and saying anything confidently is beyond me most of the time, and secondly I would be so afraid of being asked further questions about the subject and having to explain myself that I would just not bring it up at all. It is also the case for me that the only family members whose support I can rely on are the kind of practical people who think something doesn't exist unless there is a piece of paper saying it does, which makes the piece of paper important to be able to access support whether it be through them or elsewhere.

I certainly understand that others are in a different boat - I'm glad to know others are able to put the issue over confidently, and also that I don't live in a country where I would have to consider increased insurance premiums or lowered employment prospects as a result.

Yes I am fully aware IBM were not the only ones, however that does not excuse. Actually, I was asking theWanderer if they knew about that, as they mentioned the Hollerith punch card and the holocaust thanks.

Even if one has a professional diagnoses, they cannot be 100% certain, so why should self diagnoses be any different. I think for me its either I was born with brain damage from lack of oxegen or I am on the autism spectum....but I am working on an actual diagnoses, just takes time.

I will keep that in mind since I live in the area. Unfortunately I wouldn't qualify for the scholarship because my mom probably makes too much money.

Speaking for myself, there are so many times I have felt that I'm somehow different to most people and had so many odd difficulties and quirks through my life that, though I might or might not ever have a need for the 'bit of paper', I feel that I need the condition confirming by someone objective, properly trained and experienced in adult AS.

Coming to the realisation that I am autistic is one thing and I am sure I could eventually figure out how to come to terms with that...

...However, suddenly becoming utterly obsessed with a condition I don't have, for weeks on end, having extreme emotional reaction to this whereby I suffer anxiety attacks, wild mood swings, suffocating panic attacks, missing days at work, staying up all night researching, inability to focus while at work, - That sounds like a pretty serious mental health issue ...so it is important that I know whether I am finally discovering answers which explain my life and I need to adjust to or am I developing a mental illness I need treatment for?

As far as I can see it must be one or the other and knowing which is quite important. I guess this case is quite particular to my reaction of course.

i agree with this perspective. however, i need to get more complete information as it relates to the possibility of assistance through disability income as there have been times in my life when i could not work and do fear that those times will return as i am still working in the same professional field.

i would not have gone into that field if i knew then what i know now and am actively working on a profession change.

i think there could be benefits in the future that we do not see today. michigan just took their budget surplus and funded autism diagnosing and treatment for children through age eighteen, which is significant. could these same changes be made for adults in the future?

this gets to my question in another post, because it certainly seems that being in treatment right now does not seem as beneficial to me as it could be if my treatment team had sepctrum awareness or expertise. Although, I agree that ASD experts don't work in the adult area generally speaking.

good blog post. thank you for sharing.

i do want to say that i believe NT treatment for ASD co-occurring issues such as depression or anxiety or whathaveyou can be helpful, but it does make it more difficult when your psych says something like "well, you obviously dont have autism because you seem to have facial expressions and experience anxiety as an emotion."

in short, yes, seeking out a diagnosis can just be more of the same BS, but not being encouraged in your self-awareness can be upseting.