Adult discovering they might be on the spectrum

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I am 33 year old mother of a 5 year old girl with Asperger's. On my journey for answers for my daughter I began to discover that I may also have Asperger's. In a lot of ways it brings me comfort because I can understand why things were and are certain ways for me. However, it also freaks me out because I had no idea for so long. My questions are these: In your opinion would you recommend I seek a diagnosis (I would like to) and as an adult what is the best way to approach this (psychologist (what kind), neurologist, etc)? Any insights are greatly appreciated.

Do not give me your exact address or town, but please tell us where you live.

The process by which you get a diagnosis does depend on where in the world you live.

Good luck I hope it works out well for you

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Health is a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity I am not a jigsaw, I am a free man !

Diagnosed under the DSM5 rules with autism spectrum disorder, under DSM4 psychologist said would have been AS (299.80) but I suspect that I am somewhere between 299.80 and 299.00 (Autism) under DSM4.

This is the place to be, and the place to ask questions.

Be aware that some Aspies are blunt and abrasive, so try not to take what is said here as an attack. We are moody people and sometimes we just come here to vent.

I was diagnosed last year at 47. I was completely unaware of Aspergers or that I was different in any way. I've written some large posts on WP explaining my history (if you're interested you can search on my name).

For me, it has been a great relief. I think most of the older generation who get diagnosed feel the same. I only recall one person saying they regret it. Depending on where you are in the world, I think the proceedure may be quite different.

I'm in Australia, and I simply searched online for pshychologists in my area. I was lucky enough to find one nearby who specialises in Aspergers/Austism in adults. Two sessions with her and I had my diagnosis in hand. So quite cheep for me. I believe the American's have a much harder time, and I've seen figures of $800 to get a diagnosis.

Welcome! Glad you found WP--great place to find answers & understanding.

I was in your place a year ago, but with a twist: my son doesn't have AS, I just found myself totally overwhelmed by even the most basic aspects of motherhood. I self-diagnosed first after reading about AS, then sought out a psychiatrist specializing in ASDs to ask if it was likely I had AS. (Had to drive an hour to another town for these services--assessment for adults is less common than for children). I had already paid for a cognitive abilities assessment in college when I was struggling there, and between those results and additional information I provided, he said there was very little doubt about the diagnosis. But a formal assessment ( the kind which allows for accommodations at work, disability benefits etc.) would have been costly (and he felt unnecessary, given that I have a job which is already accommodating).

If I need to do so in the future, I may finish my assessments but for now I am happy to have been recommended to a counseling group that will help me with AS-related issues without the expense of the full formal diagnosis.

Good luck!

Figured it out for myself at almost 30. I never bothered with a formal diagnosis. I know what I know my life's experiences to be. I highly recommend reading "The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome," by Dr. Tony Attwood. It'll shed a lot of light on everything in your life to date. Then you can start moving forward.

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No for supporting trump. Because doing so is deplorable.

Personally I was diagnosed with AS by a neuropsychologist. I am not sure if a psychologist can give this diagnosis, but in any case, they might not be too familiar with it. I would strongly suggest you get an assessment. Even if you feel pretty sure you have it, I think you'd feel better having the problem acknowleged. The difference between getting assessed as an adult, rather than as a child, would be that you'd answer the questions rather than your parents. Although I guess you could bring in your parents as well, because they might remember things you don't. Also you would have to seek someone that threats/assesses adults. Other than than that it would be the same procedure (I expect) as with your daughter.

Wow! This is super helpful and comforting. I appreciate you taking the time to share with me.

Depends on where you live, too.

Here, iirc, it's only a licensed Psychiatrist that can diagnose AS. Not an MD or Psychologist or Counsellor.

There should be some sort of government mental health services website where you live that you could contact (I emailed mine) and ask.

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No for supporting trump. Because doing so is deplorable.

I discovered I had AS at the age of 17 when my mom just sort of dropped the suspicion that she'd been holding onto for the past nine years on me, but it wasn't until I was 18-19 that I finally started to do the research and see if the label fit. It does. I looked around my area (I live in the US) for a professional to diagnose me, and emailed one to inquire as to the costs. He said it would cost upwards of $2000, so I nixed the idea for a while. Now I'm persuing diagnosis again through the college I'm attending, as they offer professional services from licensed practitioners on a sliding scale. Depending on where you live (meaning whether you have to pay for the diagnosis yourself) and what you want it for, it can either be extremely worthwhile or completely pointless. If you need help or accomodation at work or with childcare that you could not receive otherwise, a diagnosis is very important. If however you have a good handle on your work and home lives and don't feel the need for assistance, and if the assessment is particularly expensive, I frankly wouldn't bother. That said, my main reason for getting properly diagnosed is that I have been unable to settle comfortably into the self-diagnosis and will only feel "right" properly labelling myself as aspie when I have the paper that tells me I am. That may be the case for you as well, in which case, there's nothing that says that can't be a valid reason for seeking a diagnosis. Welcome to WP, and good luck!

Would have cost me $525 but I got a "scholarship" and then I got diagnosed. Isn't it great to know that your weirdness is due to your brain and not due to your....spleen?

The scholarship paid for the tests.

What does the spleen do anyway?

We still don't know where the OP is from.