Question for the self-diagnosed.

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Well I've heard of people like me, who have no family to interview, being diagnosed, so I'm not convinced it's necessary to do the interviews if parents are hostile to the idea. I'm sure it's helpful. But not necessary. Just tell them your parents are unavailable and see what they say.

She'd find out one way or another since she handles all the insurance paperwork. But she can shove it, for all I care. I don't know if my psychiatrist will do the evaluation himself, although my memory is good enough that I shouldn't need anyone else there. I can recall very specific things that were said by doctors and that I was tested and treated for. I had multiple MRI's and other tests done, when they were trying to evaluate whether I had ADD or not. One of the doctors specifically commented that I was "wired differently".

Quoting DancyClancy:

In my experience the one does not necessarily bring about the other. If they doubt you now, you who know yourself better than anyone else, they will probably doubt you later, even if the shrink brands your forehead with the mark of the beast. The people who try to change you and tell you how to live your life will not go away.

But....the validation of a professional dx may take away your self-doubt, making you a stronger more self assured person and better able to go your own way, make the decisions that affect your life and best of all, not giving a fig what those "others" think or say about you. This is what I have experienced.

In many cases, some people are considered to be "time poor".

Sure, they could try to get a diagnosis. They could try to doctor shop on their breaks during the day. But what would it entail? Booking off work for appointments? Missing important college/university classes? Getting someone to take your kids for a few hours?

These are referred to as "opportunity costs".

For some people who already have an AS diagnosis(diagnosed as teenagers/young adults), their opportunity cost could have been as little as "Three fewer hours of WoW". Cost wouldn't have been a major issue, as their parents would have paid for it.

But for a person who DOES have valid opportunity costs, their opportunities to access a psychologist will be limited.

And the kicker of it all is that once you disclose facts such as "I have a job", "I attend University", "I'm married with children", there's a good chance that the psychologist will dismiss you right then and there.

Why? Because the majority of adults with AS that they've diagnosed DON'T have a valid opportunity cost. Which is why people in this category have more opportunity to see a psychologist in the first place! It's not like they have anything better to do with their time, and therefore, are more likely to be officially diagnosed. Therefore, the pool of those who are "officially diagnosed" are more likely to have large amounts of time on their hands.

The very fact that you DO have a valid opportunity cost indicates that you are "too high-functioning to be on the spectrum".

It's why I grouped Time Cost with Dollar Cost - because they are both costly. Time Cost = Opportunity Cost.

I have trouble conversing with my Father, and it is part of the reason I've been letting it off. A few nights ago I finally told him and he said "No point in getting it diagnosed - They can't cure it."
I'm sure the biggest reason is cost. He doesn't want to spend the money

But you bet someday, I will see a doctor and put this thing to rest.

Because it is not known here where I live - psychiatrist i went to last time had to look it up in the manual. There's no centre, no specialists - as if it doesn't exist at all. Unless you're on the other side of autistic spectrum there is no way to get a proper diagnosis.