Am I doing the right thing?

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Hi. I'm trying to get referred to a psychologist with the NHS to discuss possibilities of me having an ASD. But, now I am just not sure about it all.

I started to research Asperger's recently and it has become a bit of an obsession. I've been trying to think as much about it as possible, trying to assess myself as I do not want to be diagnosed with something I don't have. I'm not someone who believes in over diagnosis (if there's such a thing).

Basically, I know how much Asperger's can affect people and I know I do not have all the problems they do. But still, a lot of the traits seem to fit with the problems I have. Suddenly, my struggle and avoidance of most social situations without social fear, as such, is possibly not my fault. And, most importantly, my struggle to concentrate in all of my years at school and poor performance despite ability and desire to do well also seems explainable. Also, my daily stress and anxiety of the days events and difficulty organising myself and my life doesn't seem to fit with anything else.

Perhaps, because I have managed to cope with social situations well before and my obsessions don't seem to bring me to whole recital of subjects, I may have Mild Asperger's Syndrome. But there is a line between Mild Aspeger's and eccentric NT (or whatever other terms there are).

Are the problems I've stated enough for diagnosis? It's mainly about the education thing, as, when my mind is focused, I can be fairly intelligent and surely could get me a degree. Something about the thought of a life forever floating around low paid, horrible (in my opinion) jobs doesn't seem very attractive.

I've done the tests and things and basically suggests AS. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Sounds like you could have it, yes.

Remember that it's a wide spectrum, and every Aspie has the traits to different levels, so if you have some traits that are very minor or simply not there, but you have others to enough of a degree that you suspect you have Asperger's after doing research, chances are you have it.

I’ve been there. I couldn’t get a diagnosis at first, and now I realize that there would be no benefit for an adult, and possibly some trouble. From what I gather, there’s not much help in college or beyond.

Among other things, mutant registration is now the law. Where that will lead, I don’t want to find out. http://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c00 ... ndex.shtml
Once that gets into your permanent record, it goes out into the ether. You will have no control over where it goes and no way to take it back.

Just keep reading and talking to other Aspies and thinking, and be happy with a self-diagnosis. I’ve said before, at the adult level, I believe a self-diagnosis is more valid than one from a professional. I’m the only one in here and the only one who can know what is happening.

If we do need help or tolerance for quirkiness, I think we would be better off giving some scientific sounding name for a particular issue, such as face-blindness, concentration, executive function, sensory integration issue, non-verbal learning disability, whatever. Not all at once, just one issue at a time, as needed. No need to wear a “kick me” sign.

Thanks guys.

Is this relevant to the UK too?

The reason I want an official diagnosis is because I do not know how to help myself without knowing exactly what is wrong with me. I can explain where I went wrong in school, but I can't explain how I could change the way I work to do well in college. You know?

Anyone else agree a diagnosis is worth it at my age?

I you really want to know for sure that you do or not, go for it. That's one of the reasons to get a diagnoses is to know for sure that you do have it or to see if you do or not. Not everyone is sure that they do or not.

When considering mild ASD, I'm sceptical about getting diagnosed.
What do you gain by getting diagnosed; will it improve you life?
There isn't a wonder pil and you might be better of by talking to close ones instead of doctors.
Considering ASD or not, it's even important, it's better to focus on issues that made you consider having ASD.

I think you are knowledgable enough by now to get a diagnose if you want, even if you do not have ASD - think about that!
I did some researching asperger myself, but after a few years I found out I was actually searching for myself.



I don't think a diagnosis would help you at all. Focus on getting a degree, for me, I hated high-school but flourished at technical University.
Beware of obsessively researching Asperger; some awareness is ok but don't get lost in a quest for finding answers.
Say, wouldn't researching some propositional math be more joyfull that dwelling into unclear psychology issues;)

Thanks for all this.

I don't even know if it is mild or not because it varies with different traits and I don't entirely know how mild and "standard" are distinguished. And my answer is probably the same as most considering diagnosis; to know why I don't fit in, why people find me so strange and to help me stop hating myself.


I have thought about that and that is the point of the thread. I have focused on these issues before I have considered an ASD. That's why I have researched it, because I wanted to see what things about me fit with the disorders, not the other way around.

This is also what I am unsure about, because I would have thought I could get help finding the best way for me to learn after I have understood what the problem is. If I thought I could manage to do well in further education, I would be there now. But sometimes you know things have to change before it's going to happen.

My basic take on your situation is this.......AS is a name to describe a group of "symptoms" that tend to occur together in the same individual. Having said that, it is not a requirement of AS that the person has ALL and every symptom. For example, I am a diagnosed Aspie but I am still able to make eye contact with others and I have some limited intonation in my voice. Yet despite this, I still meet the criteria of AS as I have obsessions, poor (read "non-existent") social skills, a general lack of empathy and greatly withdrawn behaviour (among other things). As Tony Attwood stated, no two Aspies are the same. We are unique in our own little ways yet we are all similar due to our commonalities.

My advice is to see a psychologist and get their opinion.

As far as life expectations go, it's up to you. I have a near-genius IQ, am university qualified and work in research. I can't tell you exactly where I work and what I do or I would have to kill you. The point is, if I can get an education and a good career so can you. At the same time, I couldn't get a date to save my life so I do have some limitaions.

HOLY S**T!! !! !

That sucks big time! I hate the term "Birth Defects". As far as I am concerned, this is nothing short of discrimination against the handicapped. This is something people should be making a huge noise about. Thank God we don't have anything like this in Australia (yet).

What does the US government care who is handicapped and who isn't? It's none of their f***ing business!

Thanks for this. I keep getting unsure and doubtful, but I just need to go for it. I am prepared to hear that a professional thinks I don't have it, but at the moment, I think I do have it.

And thanks for the advice on education. I will look into getting a place in college.

Tahiti said

1. Any physician, surgeon, dentist, podiatrist or other health care practitioner who diagnoses a child with autism;
Dentist or podiatrist?

I think that you are doing the right thing. I think that you should get an assessment. That way, you will know if you have it, for sure or not.

That wording is probably commonly used in many laws referring to health care practitioners.

I wonder how difficult it would be to find a podiatrist willing to diagnose autism.

"Your son has a broken toe and severe Asperger's Syndrome."