How can I explain my different behaviour without a AS dx

Post Reply New Topic

Hi

I have a lot of behaviours that fit on the autistic spectrum but I had a test 8 years ago which showed I wasn't on it.
I think this non AS diagnosis might have been because at the time I was taking a lot of amphetamines which may have given a false reading.

At the moment I say I think i may be autistic.
It would make it a lot easier if I could just say 'that's my AS'

Thanks

People shouldn't need a formal diagnosis of anything to accept that it's just you.

Can you distract them at all by asking what would be better for them and for them to explain it?

Looking for a second opinion could be worthwhile, if you can find someone and get it paid for.

just say, oh I am just a bit strange, in a proud way, maybe laugh after saying it, people usually react well to it, all my friends know I am strange and I am proud of that fact, which I tell them

Many females continue to not be diagnosed because they are higher functioning and/or "But..but...females don't have AS!"

Try to find someone who has extensive experience with FEMALES and higher functioning people, especially in the adult age range. Get an ADOS test, specifically.

Have you done the aspie test? http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

I suggest you re-approach your GP for another test; politely request if you can be sent to another Trust - however, as all areas have to have a diagnostic team, then perhaps where you'll be sent now will be different than from then. Eg if, perhaps you live in say, Exeter, then, perhaps, previously all SW referrals will have been at Bristol, but using the Exeter example, then you should have a diagnostic team in that area.

What behavior do you have?

if needing to explain,just say have got difficulties with_____________________,perhaps name the triad of impairments assuming have met all three,that way people cant argue whether are experiencing those symptoms or not, but they can argue against someone self diagnosing,thats why self diagnosed people come across so many problems in telling others.

I think if people are asking, you should tell at least some of them; it will make it easier for most of them to understand you better and accept you for who you are.

I do recommend getting re-tested if you're curious; knowing more about yourself could be helpful. Besides that, understanding and taking care of oneself is totally respectable, whether you're talking AS, ASD, heart disease, depression, or whatever! I know three adults who have Asperger's, but one seems totally unaware of it, while two other friends/acqaintances of mine are more open about it and it makes everyone more comfortable. (It's kind of like acknowledging that I'm a chatterbox or my coworker telling me she's really picky about some things.) The younger of the two has even told some of his friends what social skills he's trying to develop and has invited our feedback (he knows he can trust us to be objective and kind). It's such an honor to be included in his life like that.

However, your personal info is yours to share or not as you see fit.

If you say to someone 'that's my AS', the last question which will spring to their mind will be 'who says so?'! !

You should have confidence in your self-diagnosis - it is unlikely to be wrong. KimD is happy to describe a friend as ASD even though the friend in question is apparently unaware of the condition. My only 'friend' is, to me, clearly on the spectrum, but I have never succeeded in getting him to discuss the issue.

If you believe that you are on the spectrum, then you are almost certainly correct. Why would anyone choose to label themselves as Autistic if there was a chance that they are not?

I wish this would work. I have found that without an accompanying diagnosis of ASD, people with take "I'm having difficulties with ____" as you are either lazy, doing it on purpose, or not a good worker/student/person. In fact, without a diagnosis, a lot of us just look like jerks who are really weird. Do you think people would do that to her? Maybe it's just my experiences with crappy people or something. People were very unsympathetic and said I knew what I was doing and purposely making people mad when I tried to explain I wasn't doing things on purpose.

I agree and just want to add something else.

First, you need to identify WHY you want to tell your co-workers about your differences. If you've noticed that you struggle to keep up with social situations, for example, next time you're in one and want to do something but feel like you can't, just speak up and say something like, for example, "sorry, I am tuning out because this conversation is going too fast and I often have trouble picking up on subtle social cues". The point is, do it in a specific situation where you have a challenge. Also, provide some solution to circumvent the challenge, for example "could you please speak to me directly and clearly about task X because I really need to understand this in order to do my job well". This shows that you are proactive in coming up with your own solutions, instead of just burdening your co-workers with your problems.

I don't think you need labels to explain anything and they can even be misleading, i.e. you might not have one trait that is stereotypically associated with autism and people might assume you have it, or vice versa - people may not infer something that you hope to communicate using a label. Being specific, therefore, is best if you want your explanations to be as useful and beneficial as possible.

I tried telling my office clerk about my issues and I did the same to an online "friend" and neither of them listened nor kids in my school. But yet if you mention your autism, then they may think you are using it as an excuse. I have never mentioned my dx because of this reason and I am still embarrassed to even mention it.

I found out people always need a reason for why you do this or that or else they think you're stupid or lazy or something.

In my experience the people you have to explain your behavior to, usually aren't going to understand any better if you explain.

This hasn't been my experience. I'm not quite sure why, I've seen a few people here say explaining doesn't help, but it has helped me. Maybe it's something to do with my communication skills and how I convey it... I'm still trying to figure out what it is about me, though. I don't get it.

Aint that the truth - LOL

Having been diagnosed several times, all positive for autism - it has never helped others understand me or accept me. It only helps me to understand myself better; to know where I am likely to step in the booby traps and quicksand that seem to be everywhere.

To be autistic in the mainstream is like trying to figure my way through a pitch black room. The diagnosis doesn't turn on the light, but it does give me some information to guide my progress.

You're [self-]diagnosed. You already have the map.