Service Dog Question

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Hey all, I wanted to seek your opinion on this, as it's something I've been considering for a while.

I have some very specific issues that I deal with in public; I have trouble focusing on important information, such as noticing cars when I cross the street. In addition, I cannot extricate myself from social situations when I am having a meltdown, and cannot bring myself out of them effectively on my own. I have been coping with this the past couple of years by bringing a person (usually my fiancé) with me when I have to go places other than school. Obviously, this is not a permanent solution for these problems, and I was considering training a service dog to assist me with these issues so that I don't need to be so dependent on other people.

The reason I'm having a debate with myself over it is that I am considered very high functioning. I do not have extremely obvious problems communicating, as I am very articulate and often manage to hide most of my problems while I am in public. My stimms are not incredibly noticeable, and my meltdowns aren't dramatic, but rather involve extreme withdrawal and very slight rocking. So my question is this: do you think there is such a thing as too high functioning to have a service dog? If so, where would you draw the line?

This flowchart might help you:
Service Dog Central - Qualification Flowchart
I find this website pretty helpful for answering any of my own questions, or explaining things to other people.
Service Dog Central

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31st of July, 2013
Diagnosed: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Auditory-Verbal Processing Speed Disorder, and Visual-Motor Processing Speed Disorder.

Weak Emerging Social Communicator (The Social Thinking-­Social Communication Profile by Michelle Garcia Winner, Pamela Crooke and Stephanie Madrigal)

"I am silently correcting your grammar."

If you need help crossing the road safely, you are not "too high functioning".

I don't know if a dog will be any use for the other issues you mention but that one's pretty crucial.

hey - I have an Autism Assistance Dog (in the UK). Everyone's needs are different so I mostly know what my boy does for me, but if you wanted to talk about it, feel free to pm me x

Thanks for all the replies! I've been told I'm being overdramatic many times, so I appreciate the reassurance!

I think that except for helping you cross the street, that would be considered an emotional support dog. The difference isn't that important except that some places allow service animals but don't allow emotional support animals. The helping you cross the street thing might make it a service dog though.

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I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.

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