My mom implied that I could have Autism. Is that good?

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Mw99
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26 Apr 2008, 4:23 pm

My mom was telling me about some woman she saw on TV who had some symptoms similar to the ones I exhibit, who then went on to write a book about her condition. At first my mom didn't remember the name of the condition, and I did not make any guesses as I did not want to bias her, but after a while she told me that she thought the name was "something like autism."

The good news is that I had never revealed anything to anyone about my Asperger's suspicions, and if my mom independently arrived to the conclusion that I might have an autistic-like condition, that's a point in my favor.

The bad news is that the last two psychologists I saw denied that I have Asperger's. Neither of them specializes on autism or developmental disorders, though.

What do you guys think?



Last edited by Mw99 on 26 Apr 2008, 5:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

LabPet
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26 Apr 2008, 4:49 pm

In my unprofessional opinion, you're flirting with autistic. Okay, you're autistic. As to whether that's 'good' or not - I do not know.

AS is so often misdiagnosed, or just missed! Maybe your mother could talk to your doctor. Give your doctor a referral to Wrong Planet?
Good luck, Aspie.

Ooo, I know! You could give your new doctor/psychologist (you did fire the previous, yes? I hope so) hints: "Begins with 'A' ends with 'ism.' 6 letters. Connect the dots, doctor."

Just for fun (not verifiable, of course) have you taken one of those on-line tests? Might you some direction.


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26 Apr 2008, 5:47 pm

I agree with my fellow Alaskan :D I think that even doctors are human, and they might be "protecting you" in their minds by refusing to diagnose. I would get a second opinion.


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Mw99
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26 Apr 2008, 5:50 pm

LabPet wrote:
In my unprofessional opinion, you're flirting with autistic. Okay, you're autistic. As to whether that's 'good' or not - I do not know.

AS is so often misdiagnosed, or just missed! Maybe your mother could talk to your doctor. Give your doctor a referral to Wrong Planet?
Good luck, Aspie.

Ooo, I know! You could give your new doctor/psychologist (you did fire the previous, yes? I hope so) hints: "Begins with 'A' ends with 'ism.' 6 letters. Connect the dots, doctor."

Just for fun (not verifiable, of course) have you taken one of those on-line tests? Might you some direction.


I'm positive according to the online tests I have taken. My psychologist reacted somewhat sarcastically after I told him about my scores on those tests. (Online = unreliable)



Gosmokesome
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26 Apr 2008, 5:58 pm

It means your mom thinks your special.



bheid
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26 Apr 2008, 6:02 pm

Why do you actively want autism? Isn't that a bad thing to have on your Curriculum Vitae?



ClosetAspy
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26 Apr 2008, 6:14 pm

Knowing is good. Knowledge gives you the tools. I went through a lot of special education and therapy when I was a child and no one ever mentioned the A word in my presence, it wasn't until I was middle-aged that I learned about Aspergers and autism and all of a sudden things started to make sense.

It doesn't matter what the doctors call you. What matters is taking this knowlege--I am of the opinion that no one "decides" that they are autistic or Aspergers just on a whim, just like no one decides that they are gay just on a whim. Maybe others don't see it, but you know in your heart what you are, and what resonates or makes sense. If it makes sense and it helps you function, run with it. I have not been diagnosed, but I have taken what I have learned from Wrong Planet and from books written about autism/Aspergers (especially those written by people with autism) and applied it to areas in my own life that needed it. Believe me I wish I had known some of this stuff 20-30 years ago.

So the fact that you know now is a good thing because you can start charting your way in life, not what others have laid down for you and may not work, but what works best for you. A diagnosis is good, but not necessary. No one dies because they were misdiagnosed with autism when they had something else. It isn't like a physical disease, like cancer or diabetes, where it is absolutely critical you get that right label so you can get the right treatment.



kleodimus
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26 Apr 2008, 6:48 pm

depends on your feelings towards autism



jamescampbell
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26 Apr 2008, 7:39 pm

i'm lucky that i live in a plac ewith lots of autism spetrum specialists.



ClosetAspy
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27 Apr 2008, 1:43 pm

Autism is neither good nor bad, it is just a way of describing how you are. Don't let anyone convince you into thinking you are inferior because of it. There are people who will try. It is not the worst thing in the world. No, I don't get out of bed every day saying Yippie, I am on the spectrum; there are days when it depresses me very much. But I don't know any other way to be.