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Question for the Autism Community from an Undiagnosed Aspie

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Hidden.Lotus97
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06 Oct 2017, 5:46 pm

I'm a college student in DC (USA). I was born premature and doctors always warned my mom about me having developmental disorders. Doctors noticed growing up that I had symptoms of ASD growing up and urged my mom to keep an eye on me and see a specialist; she never followed up. I've had therapists asking me in my teens if I was on the spectrum and I would always say no. But recently my mom told me that doctors have always suspected that I have ASD. Now I'm stuck in getting a diagnosis because it's so hard to find a specialist here, especially given the fact that I'm deaf and language differences cause most diagnosticians to be wary of assessing a deaf person. Plus, a lot of symptoms can get masked and even lost within interpretation, or hidden under my bipolar disorder and PTSD/anxiety. Yet, my friends who are aspies keep telling me that they feel strongly that I have ASD, and a recent psych evaluator indicated that I may have ASD (but didn't include that in the report). My university conducts psych evals but it's hella expensive. I guess, I feel like I know I have it, most people notice I have symptoms, but it's not on paper. Should I worry myself trying to get a diagnosis? Or can I just identify and not worry about getting it on paper and live my life accordingly? And if I don't worry about a diagnosis, how would those diagnosed on the spectrum feel if I self-identified? I'm so confused :cry:



B19
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06 Oct 2017, 5:54 pm

Many members here underwent a process of self discovery before diagnosis. Some go on to seek a formal diagnosis.

It's a choice, and WP welcomes those who are journeying through the discovery process, whatever stage they are at and whether they want to seek diagnosis or not. You will learn a lot here and I hope it will clarify a lot for you. Read lots of old threads, too.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!



AspieUtah
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06 Oct 2017, 5:55 pm

Hidden.Lotus97 wrote:
...how would those diagnosed on the spectrum feel if I self-identified? I'm so confused.... :cry:

I would respect anyone self-identifying if that is what they wanted to do. I self-identified for 19 months between being screened with autism and diagnosed with it. :D


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Diagnosed in 2015 with ASD Level 1 by the University of Utah Health Care Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic using the ADOS-2 Module 4 assessment instrument [11/30] -- Screened in 2014 with ASD by using the University of Cambridge Autism Research Centre AQ (Adult) [43/50]; EQ-60 for adults [11/80]; FQ [43/135]; SQ (Adult) [130/150] self-reported screening inventories -- Assessed since 1978 with an estimated IQ [≈145] by several clinicians -- Contact on WrongPlanet.net by private message (PM)


Exuvian
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06 Oct 2017, 6:35 pm

Would diagnosis be beneficial to you? It sounds like you'd get confirmation, but not revelation from a positive diagnosis. There may be some value in that, but I don't know if that would be enough to be worthwhile to you.

Either way, welcome and I hope you enjoy your stay. :)