Should I get *officially* diagnosed?

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I show all the signs of AS, I've tested extremely high in neurodiversity in all of the online tests I've taken, the only thing I have trouble left is convincing some family that I have aspergers. NOw here's my question: Should I get officially diagnosed by the family doctor? I really don't want something like this on my health record, just so I can keep things less complicated, but no one seems to ever believe that I have AS w/o an official diagnosis.

If you can get your family to acknowledge that you have aspergers, both you and they can begin to acccommodate for any of your behaviours that may cause difficulties.

I don't know how the health system works where you live and what kind of disadvantages having it on record could have, so I'm not sure. I am thinking of getting a diagnosis because my job and studies are too stressful for me, I seem to need more time and more breaks than everyone else or else I break down, and I think the piece of paper from a doctor might help with that. Do you have a similar use for it?
In any case, I would recommend going to a specialist rather than your family doctor - chances are they won't do a very good job unless they happen to be particularly interested in that area.

Well I'm a 17yr college student in California, US. (started college at 16 ^_^)

While I admit some extra time on a few tests would be nice, I really don't think it's something worth going through all the proper paper work over. I also think the whole AS label would really knock down my chances at work as well...

In that case, it sounds like it's not worth it - I prefer not to tell people about AS when I don't need to, there's too much risk they'll start treating me like an idiot. Just hang out here for a while and read about it online and you'll soon get a good idea about whether you have it or not. Your family don't need to believe you for you to be sure.

Maybe I didn't elaborate enough first post, but I absolutely *do* have it. I could barely keep balance as a child, I never took a nap during the day as a toddler & had sleep problems my entire life, social problems where severely evident starting around the 2nd grade, I have countlessly went from completely calm to throwing violent fits, etc...the list just keeps going.

EDIT: Forgot to mention extreme interest in computers & electronics at a very VERY young age...

Why is it important to have your family believe you?

When I told someone and they denied I had it, it made me doubt my own judgment. If that's not why you want your family to believe you, I'm not sure what it is..

It's just annoying as hell. Imagine every time you mentioned something completely logical, like how Bush has a low approval rating as of right now, & someone tries to prove otherwise or completely denies it? Well, Bush's approval rating might be a little too touchy...let's just replace that with 2+2=4...

Yeah that would suck.. you just need smarter family members! (I'm yet to find a way to introduce my mother to logic). I would think good work prospects are worth more than understanding family members - mine would manage to misunderstand anyway so the risks wouldn't be worth it. Perhaps you value your family's opinion more than job prospects though - it's an individual choice.

Depends. If you're in school, you absolutely should, as you will then be able to get necessary accomadations. If you are not, I don't know.

Well, unless your family doctor is particularly knowledgeable about ASDs, he/she would not be my first choice. Don't forget, MDs usually don't have much training in autism. They are medical doctors specializing in physical problems, so mental health/development is not their area of expertise. If you are interested in a diagnosis, try to find a local psychologist who specializes in ASDs.

Regarding telling your family, unless they can see the symptoms themselves, I doubt an official diagnosis will make much of a difference. Why do you want to convince them anyway? Do your issues interfere with your relationships with them?