Anyone willing to discuss the possibility of ASD?

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Hi there,

My name is Chloe and I have struggled with social issues for most of my life. In the last few years of my adulthood (I am now 26) my social skills have improved but I still struggle with day to day life, organisation, relationships etc. Even if i believed I was on the AS I think I'd be very high functioning so it is difficult to determine whether my difficulties are due to ASD, AD(H)D or something else all together. While I feel very positive I have AD(H)D, I don't want to rule out an ASD too, for not all of my difficulties can be explained with AD(H)D.

If anyone was interested in discussing the possibility of being on the spectrum, I've done tests and autism specific ones are low to moderate where as Aspergers are moderate to high results but I feel like I need someone with experience in this department to help me understand whether it is just me trying to put a name to my maladies. I know I can see the doctor but I feel like not all doctors have experience with this and aren't familiar with all of the quirks and variability that come with ASD.

Just an added note, my brother was diagnosed with Aspergers when he was 9. I find that I have a lot of similarities to him, he and my mother agree, although maybe I am slightly more high functioning than he is, and I presented as much less of an issue in school as I was bright and never disruptive, I just kept to myself.


Any help is appreciated

While it is possible that you may have some kind of ASD, only an appropriately-trained and licensed mental-health professional can really say for certain. Even then, it is wise to get a second (or even third) opinion.

Unfortunately, no one on this website has any such qualifications (AFAIK).

I just wanted to discuss it first before going to a doctor. I'd need to seek a referral from my GP first and for them to take me seriously I'd like collate some data for them and to be presented in other diagnosis. I know doctors have their own tools for measuring this type of thing but from what I hear it is a difficult and lengthy process and any preparation is going to make the process easier, even if it is just so that I don't have to delve deep each time I am question, I can refer my notes.

Why discuss? You have only two options: "Go" or "Don't Go". Choose one and follow through, that's all.

Last edited by Fnord on 09 Jul 2018, 2:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Agree with Fnord, and you're also right that often when your more of a borderline case, you need doctors who specifically deals with and understands Asperger's/autism and not just every psychologist is qualified for that.

Almost every day on this forum, someone comes with that exact question, so don't feel like you are alone with worrying on the subject, it's understandable!

I am both high-functioning autism and have ADHD, and had little problems initially at school (so didn't get diagnosed till much later), so it's definitely possible.

Seriously though, if you can find a specialist who understands you, it can be a huge help.

Especially since you will know that you are talking with a person who knows what he or she is talking about. On social websites like this, there is good chance you'll get a reply from someone who will tell you that self-diagnosis is good enough, and that you don't need a professional diagnosis at all -- such a person is full of excremental exposition.

A professional diagnosis may give you a legal basis to request reasonable accommodations from your school or employer, while a self-diagnosis will only get you laughed at.

Consider your options, commit to one of them, and follow through.

As said the best answer as said you would need to see a person knowledgeable in how autism presents in women. In the UK that could take a lot of time especially if you do not have the money to avoid the NHS. So the question becomes are there enough reasons to suspect ASD strongly enough to go through all the time, money and effort?

With that goal in mind,Dr. Tony Attwood is considered one of the premier experts in ASD's.
He has also written a book "The Complete Guide to Aspergers"
What is Asperger's Syndrome?

Interview w/ Tony Attwood about autism in women and girls