Australian/Victorian Diagnosis?

Post Reply New Topic

How long are the average wait times to be assessed? Also if it goes smoothly does it still take weeks-months for a complete evaluation?

I'd definitely take them in. Worst case is that it turns out you didn't need to. It's not possible to be completely sure what will be relevant and what won't, so any material which might provide useful information is potentially helpful.



Definitely only bring along someone you're comfortable with bringing along. If someone's an unreliable witness, who is dismissive and determined to project -their- view of what's 'wrong' with you, then even if the therapist does see past it, it's still adding a lot of unnecessary stress to the process. It's the reason why I was determined at all costs to ensure that my parents had no involvement whatsoever; they bullied me relentlessly during my childhood and no doubt would have used it as a platform to parade around my alleged 'flaws' to 'prove' that I deserved it. Fortunately their involvement or anyone else's was unnecessary (especially since I have no-one in my life who knew me as a child).



I get the impression that's something that varies widely between therapists. In my case the wait time was about 6 weeks. The assessment consisted of 3 sessions over the course of 1 week. I received the final report about 3 weeks after that.

Norny,

I couldn't be bothered reading through all the replies to this posting, so forgive me if I repeat what others may have said.

To begin with, I'm going to say a few things that may bother you. Offense is not my intention.

1. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get a professional diagnosis if you believe you fit the criteria for an Autistic Spectrum Disorder, or any disorder for that matter. It is perfectly fine to identify with autistic individuals but please don't go around saying you have X - disorder when you haven't been professionally diagnosed. A professional specializes in these disorders for a reason, they are trained to be objective (or at the very least, they should be, in some cases they aren't and in my opinion, those medical professionals whom twist facts to suit theories rather than theories to suit facts, should have their medical license revoked. ) where as you, or anyone else whom isn't a medical professional, is not. Humans categorize and label things. It is a constant with us.

2. What is the reason you wish to pursue this diagnosis?
This will be one of the first things an ASD specialist might ask you. For some, it is benefits, for others it is finding a place where they belong. For myself, it is to find and locate others whom I can actually relate to. When you enter a world, or try to participate in a world where you cannot relate or understand virtually everyone whom you encounter, finding a person or a set of people whom you do and can relate to is a Godsend. Not only that, but for myself it will be a type of 'Green Light' (traffic analogy) I will be able to understand why exactly I am the way I am and I will be able to combat it or work with it accordingly to be able to function in the NT world and sustain employment for an extended period of time.
I'm uncertain of your reasons, but make certain you identify exactly what they are. My psychologist stated to me (before she referred me my current assessor) that she usually doesn't send people to ASD assessors due to the fact that when she asks them this question, they don't know and don't believe they will get something substantial out of it. Given the law of probability, if that particular attitude is one which I have encountered, you might also encounter it. It is best to be prepared regardless. Prepare a script if need be.



Now, to answer your questions.

1. Providing you are being assessed by a decent and professional diagnostician, they won't dismiss your case because of your age. It isn't age based, some of the tests they do will change a little due to your age (and due to which methods they use) but they won't dismiss your plight due to your chronological age.

2. The main one that is often over diagnosed is PDD-NOS. This is due to a typing error in the DSM-IV. You are actually suppose to be non-verbal but still exhibit the other traits of high-functioning autism. Providing the tests are done correctly, you won't be mis-diagnosed.
Some other reasons why some state that it is over diagnosed is due to the fact that some parents will push for the diagnosis for their other children if one child has already being diagnosed and with the understanding of ASD on the rise, more and more children WILL fall into the category of ASD. That has lead people to believe an "ASD Pandemic" has occurred. This isn't the case. Modern medicine is getting better. We should be thankful for that.

3. If you access an ASD specialist rather than a psychiatrist, they will only look for ASD traits and markers.
In my opinion, you will one someone whom has been at it for a while. You want someone whom will be as objective as possible. This is a serious neurological deficit that shouldn't be taken lightly. You won't be sitting in front of a jury. At most there might be 2 clinicians if you go to the ASD clinic in Kew. It will most likely be a small to medium sized room with a single assessor. There is no pressure unless you make it for yourself.




1. No they won't. It appears as though you have quite a bit of anxiety when it comes to this assessment and possibly low self esteem which might hinder you actually looking for assessment and going to the required sessions for a complete diagnosis.
Many people with ASD can make eye contact. Granted, it is a very small percentage whom can do it naturally, it is usually those whom have done CBT from a very young age whom can maintain eye contact correctly.
In terms of myself, I can maintain eye contact.
It is uncomfortable.
I'd much prefer to be looking else where.
I put this down to too much information coming at me at one. Especially if I am meeting someone for the first time, after a few times, I can start to look at their mouth, but eye contact is still uncomfortable and not natural to me.
If I focus, I can do it. It hurts slightly but I can do it. It does require a great amount of concentration and it usually freaks people out because I don't flicker to and from the eyes( if I am attempting to maintain eye contact) like an NT would. I've been told time and time again, that it looks like I want to devour someones soul. *giggles*

2. Many other disorders signify lack of eye contact. Mainly mania type disorders. It isn't a key identifier in just autism. As stated above, a diagnosis is comprehensive. They won't just brush it off as something not worth looking into. This is a serious Neurological deficit.

3. What other things are you capable of doing that an average autistic person wouldn't be able to do?



1. What do you mean by pathological liar? Did you really lie every single day, about every single thing for personal gain regardless of the consequences and harm it might cause to others?
If so, why?

2. People with Aspergers are just like regular people.
They aren't above anyone else.
They aren't below anyone else.
They can lie, cheat, steal, murder, love, hate, form close bonds and maintain independent lives (sometimes. Sensory issues can hinder this or restrict it entirely)
It all depends on how you perceive the lie.

I was brought up in Gladstone, QLD. A rural/industrial area. I was in quite a low socioeconomic area where drug use and crime was quite high on everyone's agenda. When in that environment, you either learn to lie or you die. Not joking.
My mother would beat me to the point I wouldn't be able to walk and I would have large welts that would spring forth from my flesh after she had her fill of physical abuse. She broke my sisters nose at one point.
The only different with myself and everyone else is that I don't perceive the lie to be the truth. Which enables me to hold it in my mind for a short enough period to evade the abuse that would follow from my mother. The first thought of mine, however, is to correct the lie I just told and I almost blurt out the truth sometimes back in those days. It was a necessity. Now that I am 21, I can hold my own in an altercation of opinions.
If you are capable of double-think, you might be more NT than you think.

3. You are a legal adult now. You parent wouldn't be involved unless you mentioned something that could be harmful to yourself or another party. They would only be involved or notified if you had nominated them in case such an event occurred.




1. If you feel comfortable bringing notes, then bring notes. Don't bring notes in which you've linked certain behaviors to those of ASD individuals, they will discount those pieces of 'evidence' due to they fact that you aren't a clinician. Question your mother about your behaviors as a infant/toddler, (age 6 months to 5 years would be preferable) write them down and bring those along, they will ask about your developmental milestones. Answering off the top of your head may be an issue for those questions.

2. It depends whom you go with in regards to which DSM they will use.
My assessor along with some other psychologists whom specialize in the field of Aspergers assessments are (according to her) refusing to use the DSM-5 understanding of ASD due to the fact that it combines all ASD's together under one umbrella term when there are key significant differences. I agree with her. Due to this, she uses the DSM - IV understanding.

3. The DSM-5 makes it hard to get a diagnosis. You need to have virtually no social life except for immediate family and autism must affect your everyday life quite severely. It is a load of BS written for NT's by NT's to make it easier for NT's to understand what autism is.




1. I will PM you shortly after this message, it may take a few days of correspondence for me to provide you with adequate information.
2. I am currently based in Victoria. Want to be friends?
3. If friendship is made, I'd prefer it to be kept at interaction over email or skype. No video chats.


I will leave you with this final piece of information.

Having an ASD will impair your future in the workforce to one degree or another. Regardless as to whether or not you follow through with your diagnosis and if you do indeed have it. Having a diagnosis will give you a better understanding of whom you are and where you can turn when things in said work force become too difficult.
being in the work force requires an understanding of social hierarchy and the ability to navigate them that people with ASD just don't have. They have have a theoretical understanding, but not an instinctual one. The theory may get them further than those whom don't have one, but regardless it will be tough for you once you break away from your family. More so if you do indeed have ASD.

Regardless of your fears, follow through will getting assessed. if you do indeed believe you have ASD your going to need people whom you can relate to and have as support once you make the transition into independence.


P.s
If there are any spelling errors, please forgive me, it is 2:04am and I'm relatively tired and again, can't be bothered reading it all again >_<