How do you help someone get the diagnosis they need?

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Hi everyone,
I'm new to this place and I just wanted to get people's opinions.

I believe my brother shows signs of the autistic spectrum. He has never been diagnosed although he was referred to a social worker last year but it didn't get any further. He doesn't see it and doesn't think he has any problems.

I really want him to tap into the help and support thats available but until he agrees we will get no where.

How can I help him see that this would be a good thing for him? Its hard to talk to him as it is, how can I talk him round without upsetting him?

Does anyone have any storys or words of wisdom I can share with him?

thanks

Your concern is commendable. You already have the answer in front of you. He needs to WANT help. Until he feels a need, then all you can do is be a good sibling. Is he expressing distress over the course of his life? How old is he?

try to give him a book written by someone with AS/autism. That's what my mom did when I refused to believe it and it really helped me.

I agree with giving a book or directing him to a good website that goes through the symptoms.
My mum told me to look up autism when she thought I had it. I did but it took me 7-8 months to realise it.

I agree with the above posters. He won't seek help unless he wants it. It is difficult to accept that you may have a condition like AS after living as a teen or adult for several years without much noticeable difficulty.

Personally I favour the website over the book idea. If someone gave me a book about a condition they thought I had (unless, as is noted, it is a parent or other close family member) I might feel uncomfortable, like I'd have to discuss their AS suspicions within the context of myself when I read it. But by all means, if you think it would be helpful for him to read about the experiences of a person DX'd with AS, give him a book

What book would you recommend. It was suggested to me that I might be on the spectrum.

Michael John Carley's "Asperger's from inside out" or John Robison's "Look me in the eyes."

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the replies. My brother is 21 by the way.

I think I will try the book idea. Its really hard to approach the subject with him as it was a big of a disaster last time we tried to get a diagnosis as he really doesn't see there is a problem