Diagnosis

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I have previously been assessed for autism aged about 12, but came back clear. I'm 16 and female and meet the majority of criteria for Aspergers. My mum mentioned this to my psychologist and he's said girls are good at hiding things like autism etc. So he gave my mum a screening questionnaire in which i scored 34 (the threshold is 20) and my teacher has to fill one in too. The thing is, i'm worried. If I DO have it, or if i don't, or if i'm hiding it too well. My mum says she thinks i do, then she says she thinks I don't. My cousin has autism. What will happen next? My psychologist says we will "talk through it" when we meet in January but i'm so anxious, like now. It's literally ruining my life. Does anyone know what will happen next from previous experiences?

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It isn't so much that girls are better at "hiding" autism, but that most diagnosticians expect to see certain behaviors, characteristics and other diagnoses that autistic girls don't usually display. Unfortunately, too many diagnosticians also don't know how to diagnose autistic adults well, either. So, presuming that you find an able diagnostician, just relax, try to avoid hiding or "masking" your behaviors, at least for the time when you meet with your diagnostician. Let him or her see you as you are. The rest is easy. They will ask you questions, have you complete one or more tests, and generally just talk with you. Then, if you are diagnosed with autism, nobody needs to know unless you wish to tell others. It can simply be something that you keep to yourself. What you do with the knowledge is completely up to you. Good luck with whatever choice you make.