Assessed after joining the forum? Were the results expected?

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Asperger's on the first assessment then ASD level 2 on the subsequent one that was more thorough. I knew I had ASD, just didn't know exactly what level. Had two prior doctors tell me I had ASD just that they weren't qualified to diagnose me officially and I had come to the conclusion at age 24 or 25, and wasn't diagnosed until I was 29.

I joined here almost two years before getting my first diagnosis. At the time I was a “self-diagnosed” autistic (a practise that I no longer agree with; I no longer think it’s a good idea to declare a label for oneself without consulting a professional.) I was very convinced of my autism when I went in for my assessment, but was extremely anxious waiting for my results, because a small part of my brain was struggling to accept the idea that I could possibly be anything other than ordinary.

My results came back as level 1 because I was still living at home, and the natural supports I received there masked my true struggles with independent living, executive functioning, etc. I was recently reassessed and diagnosed as level 2, which more accurately describes my difficulties and needs.

Both assessments, though done by different people, were very similar. They took place over multiple sessions and included conversations about my symptoms and childhood, self assessments and assessments sent home for my parents to complete, an IQ test, and the ADOS.

When I went for my test the first time, I brought with me ten pages of organised notes about all of my symptoms from early childhood to the present. It was a big help because when the evaluator asked, “why do you think you have Autism?” my mind went blank and I struggled to answer because the question was so broad and I didn’t know where to start (ironically, that’s also a symptom of autism.)

I get those mind blank occasions when visiting the doctors or if I am at a hospital and I am asked something. Places where I am nervous and would rather not be there,especially if the wait to go in involves a waiting room!
Now I have never associated these moments with being asked open questions as I have never thought about it. However, it could be that in a way as a doctor would ask "What seems to be the problem" which potentially could involve myself and the whole world... Haha. I don't want to go back in my mind to assess such situations to recall what was said as I find it a little stressful. Well. Not exactly stressful, but put it this way. I have just got up from a nice sleep and don't want to use my mind to delve in that direction as it would put me on edge (Hence just lightly skimming the surface for now will do!)