Question for those diagnosed with AS...

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Even if the psychiatrist doesn't read the notes, I think it'll be worthwhile you writing them, because you can have them with you when you're being asked questions and it'll stop you from drawing a total blank when you know there's something important you want to say.

I did exactly the same thing.

I think writing notes can be helpful to think things through, so in a way it doesn't really matter if the professional doesn't read them. The specialist will likely have their own quirks on how they determine whether to give a diag or not.

When I was first thinking about myself (and had the ah-ha moment), I wrote a bunch of things on this website; which helped me be prepared for my conversations with the therapist. I was given a diag after seeing the guy for about two months, and he did little more than have conversations with me. I don't think he was not really looking for symptoms, per se, but where my mental focus is (on social things or not). I think this is at the core of ASD anyway.

If that works for you then continue that path of writing your history. Do consider editoring and condensing the notes once all your thoughts are down. Psychologist assessments are not an all day event, my experience is usually two hours.

Thanks again for all the replies. I finally feel that I have finished my paper. It is 17 pages, and though I have tried a few times to shorten it, as soon as I delete something, I think of something else that seems extremely relevant and I will add it. So I think I am just going to leave it alone for now and then present it to her on my visit and hope she doesn't think I'm crazy. Just over 2 weeks now... I am nervous, but optimistic. I have never wanted a diagnosis of anything in my life as much as I want this one. But I only want it if it's true. And since I have no doubt about that, I believe I will be diagnosed and I will be so relieved. Then I can work on my social skills, because I really would like to start my business up again. This time I would like for it to be a success, but in order for that to happen I have to have better social skills and I have to get over my anxiety.

What kind of business will/did you run?

I'm in much the same situation. I'm past the diagnosis part, but I need to get with a disability attorney and start dealing with some legal issues and voc. rehab. Hopefully I'll be able to get funding for a disabled-owned company. My hope is that I can grow a small software company that specifically hires people with ASDs so they can have a place to work where they don't have to worry about being singled out for stimming and such. It's a problem I've experienced over and over in the workplace, so it's something I want to do something about.

There's no problems with having too much information. I know exactly how you feel. I went for a diagnosis on Monday with a whole refill pad full of writing. I didn't need most of it. I was communicating badly with speech, but I guess that's an aspie trait isn't it. The Psych directed the conversation, I guess he was used to dealing with people who take ten minutes to make a sentence. But before I went in, I was afraid I'd act too normally. I thought that the psych would think I was faking it or something. But I guess I don't really appear that normal to others. There are a lot of non verbal indicators that someone is on the spectrum and you may not notice al of your own symptoms.

This seems to be a common feeling among WP members. At eleven pages you're probably prepared enough. There's no harm in bringing more information, but don't stress out about it. You won't need to tell him every single aspie thing you've ever done. The Psych will direct the conversation if you ask him to.

Just relax

I started my evaluation today (it will take a total of 3-4 sessions.) I brought with me a printout of my Aspie Quiz results and my 14-page (typed, single-spaced) self-assessment notes. The therapist, who did his dissertation on adult AS, seemed happy that I had taken the time to prepare - especially since there is no chance of my parents/family members being able to provide information about my childhood.

This first session covered some basic background questions - he really wanted yes/no answers (with a minimal/moderate/extreme qualification for all the yes answers.) I think it went OK - I referred him to the self-assessment when I couldn't think of how exactly to answer a question (I suck at quantifying my social/emotional history.)

I skipped my daily workout the night before, so I was probably at my most "Aspergian" - plus, answering personal questions is not my strong suit, so my eyes tended to wander. I guess I didn't need to worry about appearing too "normal."

Next session is in 2 weeks.

That's what I did at my vocational rehab evaluation. I made a list of my jobs and how well or poorly I'd done them, and other such interesting information; it stretched for fifteen pages. When I went for my follow-up and asked them whether they'd read it, they said, "You practically did the evaluation for us!"

So yes. I've done that, and it worked.