Seeking ASD diagnosis in Singapore?

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Okay, before I move on, are any of you familiar with how the system for psychological diagnosis (esp. for autism) works in Singapore? Because I'm a Singaporean, and have no idea about how such psychiatric diagnosis work here.

From what I've read so far in this forum, I have yet to see an ASD-related thread which is related to Singapore / Asia, or I'm not looking deeper enough.

For a long time I've felt very detached from the social world, even from my own family and relatives. Even when conversing with friends, it is extremely awkward. Most of the time I have a hard time expressing myself. A lot of things go through my mind daily, but for some reason I just can't write it down at the moment for some reason. I think people see me as a narcissist / unfriendly person with a cold disposition, but sometimes I just can't be bothered with social events and interactions because I know it will go very, very badly.

I only discovered about ASD about a year ago perhaps, and I think I might be an aspie, but I can't be too sure either. So should I go for a diagnosis? If so, how does the system work here?

Right now my main concerns are:

Costs - I have a CSC, but who knows just how much the gahmen (goverment) will charge...

Medical procedure - Just how long is it, and how will treatment be carried out? I'm not keen on things which are too troublesome / obligatory etc...

Medical reports - I'm really, REALLY afraid that the psychiatrist will make a huge medical note or remark on my records, and this may affect my chances of getting employed in the near future :/ I really don't want others to perceive me as an unintelligent, ret*d person, or something along those lines.

Family concerns - If I'm diagnosed with ASD, I'm afraid of embarrassing my parents and relatives, especially since my siblings both have autism already... I really can't bear to see my mother sad because of me. But at least she will understand why I am so introverted, and don't like her encouraging me to participate in social events to make more friends. Just... no.

Right now I am still a 16-year old student, and being pressured to look for a part-time job. Retail seems like the most probable job for me now, but I suck at socialising... so yeah.


I feel quite embarrassed to post all this OTL I really wonder if there are any other possible aspies in Singapore / Asia as well.

p.s.: Not sure if this should be in the Haven section or General Autism Section. orz

Thank you for reading all this ;w; -gives cookie-

Hi Archylas,
I'm not from Singapore, but I looked online and found this:

http://www.autism.org.sg/assessment/

Hope it helps.

Thank you. I'm not sure if that is what I'm looking for exactly, but it's a start.

Hi Archylas

I'm from Singapore too. Hope you found what you're looking for since the time of this posting last year.

and there's nothing to be embarrassed about when posting your concerns in the forums here.


Cheers,
skribble

Hello,

I am Tales from Singapore and one of the founders of a group for adults with learning differences, including Aspies. Feel free to PM me on issues pertaining Aspie issues in Singapore.

From the few replies so far it seems that Singapore is more switched on than Hong Kong. There is some help here for children but nothing at all that I can find for adults.

Good luck with your search. If you come across anything in HK let me know.

Hi Tales,

yes i know. you PM'd me some days back and then never replied to my response for some time.

glad to hear from you again. talk to you in the PM's.


Cheers,
skribble

Dun bet on it Bassman, Hello from a fellower hongKonger!

Singapore has issues that are not seen even by western eyes.

yup Bassman,

we have our ridiculous issues and stigma here too. It's not at all as "open" when it comes to AS.

Cheers,
skribble

thanks for your replies here Tales.

hoping these "redeemed" threads will be noticed by other Singaporeans etc - which lead me to dig them up in first place.

Hi Tales

Good to hear from you. I was beginning to think I was alone here.

I was born in HK but spent 20 odd years in Singapore. My only link with HK is that I like the way HK gals look and can watch HK serials without dubbing.

Well, I'm in the States. We have our own issues here (and one of them is a tendency to distort just how bad things are in other parts of the world)...

...but if the stigma and discrimination issue is anything as bad as I've heard over there, you might be better off doing your own research and keeping your head down.

I've got mixed feelings about my own situation (wishing maybe I'd avoided diagnosis since there doesn't seem to be much help other than drugging me into a robot), and by many accounts things are better here since that kind of discrimination, while very much practiced, is technically illegal.

Hi Archylas, I'm from Singapore aswell and also a friend of Tales. I have been in your situation before and I know how it's like. I myself am an Aspie and I have my own worries like what if people reject me or something. I'm not the best guy to ask for advice though. You can ask Tales if you don't believe me. Anyway, I can answer some of your queries:-

For the medical reports, all I can really say is that while they will make notes and remarks on your diagnosis, it's not necessarily mandatory to tell your boss about your diagnosis and the psychiatrists' reports. In fact, it's best you don't tell. You're probably not gonna like what you're about to hear from me, especially with whatever you're facing at your age socially right now, but truth be told, the situation for ASDs and PDSNs here in Singapore is pretty bad. To avoid all this unnecessary chaos, it's best never to tell anyone about your diagnosis, not even teachers or bosses. Only tell if you really have no other option. Otherwise, never tell a soul about your diagnosis.

As for your part-time jobs and the like, I don't know anything about your situation. All I can say here right now is that just do what you can for now and find a job. If it really gets bad, then just keep going forward.

As for family, it'll be tough but if you're gonna tell your family, I think try to be subtle about it. From what I'm reading here, it's probably a hassle for your parent right now and having you being an Aspie will add to the pressure. But still, it's best to tell your parents, regardless of the consequences. Just be subtle about it and careful when telling them.

Anyway, I won't go into great detail here or anything but if you wanna speak with someone or anything, you can approach me via PM or, the better choice, you can speak with Tales. I'm actually pretty bad at giving advice, especially with my already-rough demeanor. Tales is a good guy to go seek advice from, especially since he's already at the right position to give advice. As for myself, my advice is a little direct but I have been in Secondary school before and I know how it's like to face all this. Or if you wanna get to know me more, you can always contact me via PM.

Yup exactly what ashmeister said....

The situation is still bad in Singapore in terms of support. Only the lower functioning one, the one with mental retardation and the like receive support. The attitude in Singapore's atuthorities is "Mild Problem= no problems". this unfair treatment has caused resentment amongst the high functioning groups.

However do not lose hope just yet. You are free to look me up in PM or my email. The aspie community have to stick together if we are to find light in the dark or we become each other's lights in the dark times. Dun give up just yet!