I know I'm an Aspie, but am I diagnosed or not?

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Okay, here is my story:

When I was in (I think) third grade, My speech therapist and my occupational therapist told my mom that I did have Aspergers. They were the first ones to say that I had Aspergers, but every doctor since then has agreed with the diagnosis when my mom told them about it. Some of them even researched Aspergers and agreed that I had it. Never once in 10 or 11 years has any teacher, coach, doctor, boss, or professor disputed the fact that everyone accepts - that I am an Aspie. But I cannot say that I have ever sat down with a psychiatrist or psychologist and gotten a formal diagnosis and I probably don't have anything on paper. But everyone agrees that I have it. So am I diagnosed or not?

Yes, you are diagnosed.

Seems a speech therapist and an occupational therapist dealing with
children would be fairly good at recognizing aspergers. Your diagnosed but the confidence level of it might be lower than if you were diagnose by a noted expert in ASD diagnostics.

Mom says that one very early doctor said I had Aspergers before he had heard that I had been diagnosed (a regular medical doctor, not a psychiatrist or psychologist) but it is a story that I can easily see my mom forgetting whether she told him or not (if you know how moms are).

wow, when I got sober every 30 days I got applause and a chip and a cupcake and when I stayed sober a year, I got a cake and card and lots of folks patting me on the back (figuritively, after all I AM an Aspie)

But with AS. . no cake, no anniversary, no chip, no cupcakes, nobody patting me on the back.

just another day.

we ought to have a greeting card at least, eh?


Merle

I say this now because I am wondering if I need to get something on paper in my medical records. Would it be helpful to see someone else to just give greater weight to it? I don't really want to see a psychologist because I don't want to spend the money to see one when I already know the outcome of the meetings, but I have been thinking about if it would do any good to have in my medical records that I have Aspergers, in case it came in handy one day (like a court case or something).

Actually, they are *not* qualified to diagnosis Asperger's. I'm studying to be a speech pathologist now, and all we are allowed to do is refer- we are *definitely* not qualified to make that kind of diagnosis. Articulation disorders, aphasia, etc., sure, but nothing psychological.

Sadly, Asperger's doesn't qualify for innocent due to insanity, and although it might help someone get out of jury duty, it's arguable that Aspies should be the only ones in juries as we're infinitely better at filtering out, processing logically and detecting illogical arguments - say by lawyers.

I don't know if Asperger's is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, but most employers violate the ADA with impunity, so it's better not to go that route if you can help it.

The only thing I can think of is that there are usually research groups studying Asperger's - although not necessarily in any given geographic location at any given time. These would obviously test you and may even pay you to let them do so. It's not much of an idea, but it's better than a wet haddock.

what about debt? If we can prove we haven't quite grasped the idea of money or credit or even remembering to pay ?? I forget, and often I have slept in abandoned vehicles or tents or . . well. . I pay when I get too far from their reality. . .

couldn't I get a life helper? Just to keep me out of trouble

I stand corrected. Though Jake is in Texas like I am. They might allow speech therapist to preform heart surgery here.

gawd knows who they let be governors there!