Self Diagnosis? Help.
https://rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php
Thank you! I just did the quiz. It says that i am very likely to be neurodiverse/aspie.
ASPartOfMe
Veteran
Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Age: 68
Gender: Male
Posts: 39,637
Location: Long Island, New York
As has been mentioned you have many of the traits associated with autism. I have noticed that people react in different ways to this realization. Some are content to believe they are or probably are autistic and move on with their life with this new understanding. Others need validation of their suspicions by a professional. If you have not figured out your needs in this regard you probably should.
I am not sure how it works in Canada a professional diagnosis may make you eligible for benifits and possibly accomidations if sometime in the future you go to work.
_________________
“Self Acceptance is a process not a performance”
“You are autistic enough. And you always have been”
Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity.
Having said that, it sounds like you have many of the traits of an Aspie (someone with Asperger's Syndrome now called High Functioning Autistic).
If you search the internet, you may find some on-line test to confirm this.
Also female Aspies have different traits than male Aspies, and you might understand the differences.
When you said
Finding comfort in repeating things (such as watching the same movie over and over again) is another Aspie trait. I like one music CD and I play it all the time when I am driving. My wife hates it, so I switch the channel over to the radio when she is in the car.
Most but not all Aspies are introverts. But that is nothing to be ashamed of - over half the people in the world are introverts and they do just fine.
Also here is another recommendation. There are a number of YouTube videos on the internet by female Aspies. I suggest you watch a few. They will go into greater detail from an Aspie female perspective.
Thank you so much. This has been so helpful. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me with such great detail. It helps me a lot.
I am not sure how it works in Canada a professional diagnosis may make you eligible for benifits and possibly accomidations if sometime in the future you go to work.
Thank you very much! You are right, I need to decide if i want a diagnosis and if that might provide some fort of benefit for me in the future... even if just for the sake of knowing.
And we do have some benefits for ASD, but i believe it depends on the severity of the affects on the individual. I do believe if I am on the spectrum at all that I am fairly high functioning. I do think i could benefit from some counselling perhaps? But couldn't we all?
A formal diagnosis can be a very helpful , validating experience for you , it was for me . High functioning is a measure of how well you have adapted your behavior to be acceptable and make others feel comfortable . Don't invalidate yourself by thinking your autism is 'mild ' or less than others . Autism is autism , we all respond to it in our own unique way , that's why it's called a spectrum . Self awareness is vital to living with this neurological condition and if you find a therapist that can help you with this , consider yourself fortunate . For me , the best benefit was simply knowing that I was on the spectrum , not knowing kicked my butt .
ASPartOfMe
Veteran
Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Age: 68
Gender: Male
Posts: 39,637
Location: Long Island, New York
^^^^
This
_________________
“Self Acceptance is a process not a performance”
“You are autistic enough. And you always have been”
Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity.
Thank you very much ! This comment is very encouraging and that is how i feel. Like I've just adapted myself to fit in (mostly) with society.
I will start looking into how to proceed with a formal diagnosis.
There isn't really a way to know from a description, but for what it's worth, the traits you mentioned are ASD-like.
After a few years of considering the idea and researching Autism I decided that I was likely to be somewhere on the spectrum; part of the process was reflecting on self observations and those of people close to me (other people's perception of us is a key aspect of diagnosis), allowing for variables that alter perception e.g. Anxiety, bias etc.
When I had the means, I went to a Psychologist specialising in ASD (in particular female presentation), but that was the decision that was right for me. ![]()
I personally think professional diagnosis is important. In saying that, it's not a judgment on those who don't (or can't) get one. I was very lucky to find a psychologist who was knowledgeable about autism and was able to see me for free, and I can definitely understand how your personal history complicates things. BUT if you find a good professional, there should be work arounds, e.g. behavioural and school reports, any other reports from social workers etc. you may have seen along the way. And husbands often have very good insight into their wives. E.g. I answered my psychologist that I thought I understood sarcasm well and that I never flap my hands etc. My husband was like, no way!
For me it was important to have a professional diagnosis as I was teetering on a breakdown and need significant help with life and accommodations in life. I've 'coped' with life until kids but barely participating (working or studying only part time and just living on very little), but having kids has meant I'm pushed beyond my limits and need help, because I want to learn to live a normal life, have a job and balance all the pieces. Now I can see that with help that will be possible.
_________________
Diagnosed ASD
AQ: 42 (Scores in the 33-50 range indicate significant Austistic traits)
RAADS-R: 165
RDOS: Your neurodiverse (Aspie) score: 159 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 44 of 200
You are very likely neurodiverse (Aspie)
After a few years of considering the idea and researching Autism I decided that I was likely to be somewhere on the spectrum; part of the process was reflecting on self observations and those of people close to me (other people's perception of us is a key aspect of diagnosis), allowing for variables that alter perception e.g. Anxiety, bias etc.
When I had the means, I went to a Psychologist specialising in ASD (in particular female presentation), but that was the decision that was right for me.
Thank you! The people closest to me agree that there are things about me that they've always thought were "different" and that they agree that i should proceed with getting a proper diagnosis.
For me it was important to have a professional diagnosis as I was teetering on a breakdown and need significant help with life and accommodations in life. I've 'coped' with life until kids but barely participating (working or studying only part time and just living on very little), but having kids has meant I'm pushed beyond my limits and need help, because I want to learn to live a normal life, have a job and balance all the pieces. Now I can see that with help that will be possible.
Thank you for sharing with me. Seeing thia is encouraging to move forward. And also you are right about asking social workers and schools. That's a good idea.
