Tentative greetings.

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I am a recently joined member. I am here out of curiosity, mostly. I've not recieved an official diagnosis of AS, yet. A clinical psychologist has expressed 'concerns', and I am being referred to a psychiatric specialist shortly. First, however, I will have to find the money, and I am currently unemployed.

I am wary of doctors, as I have been misdiagnosed at ages 4, 9, 17, and 24. I am 26 now. However, it does seem an accurate diagnosis, from what I've found in my research (notably from this well-put-together site).

That is all I can think of at the moment.

Phyn

Hi Phyn, welcome! I am a newbie as well

Like you, I have not received an official diagnosis for AS, or for anything else for that matter! However I always felt different at school and never quite "fit in".

My son's diagnosis of AS at the age of 8 (he is now 10) was quite a revelation for myself. After going through the "grief" of having a son with a neurological disorder, I felt a distinct relief for finding the answers why I lacked empathy, why I had trouble keeping relationships, and why I felt socially awkward. It was such a relief, in fact, that the happiness in myself has transferred to my son. I am soooo proud of the person he is now, instead of being embarassed and mortified by his actions at times. The diagnosis has taught me tolerance and more understanding of what he is going through on a daily basis - he is going through a shite load of hell at school and it isn't his fault!

Now back to you Phyn (sorry I do get carried away with my own agenda at times mate), do you feel you actually need an official diagnosis?? Whilst it is handy to have it to gain community services and government assistance (in Australia at least), you have been misdiagnosed many times in your life, and your wariness of doctors may cause you more stress this time around too. Also it is quite an expensive exercise as you have already realised. Would definitely knowing you have AS be a relief to you?? If so, then it is worth knowing at any cost.

As I have mentioned, I am a self diagnosed aspie, I don't necessarily trust doctors either - I do know myself more than anyone else ever could

Take care and welcome once again

Jus

The Official DX is a bit of a conundrum. If it helps you to get better treatment at work, go for it. But just to know, for the sake of knowing? Probably too expensive... Be advised that docs feud among themselves over diagnosing AS. My therapist told me flat out that I'd need to see a specialist. What specialist? She couldn't say. There seem to be plenty of specialists to DX autistic children, but AS adults?? That's a different kettle of fish...

I guess too Prof because there are so many damned labels for people these days that it is so confusing, for example AS and Non Verbal Disorder - I've read so many books on these subjects that by the end of it, I didn't know the difference between them, the line was that fine!! Personally for myself, I have no interest in getting my self diagnosis confirmed - I am who I am and no official diagnosis will change that for me.

Welcome Phynhas to the forum, I have just been referred to a centre that specialises in Adult As. I feel very at home at this forum, I am not sure if I will get the diagnosis or not, it would be a relief really and would open up other avenues of help. But I'm fearing at the moment that I may be proved incorrect.

Welcome to WP!

Tim

Thank you all for welcoming me.

Mummadisaster; It is good your son received his diagnosis at an early age. I also had a lot of trouble in school. At one point, I was in the gifted students program, and the learning disability program at the same time. I would leave the SLD class around lunchtime, and take the bus to the gifted program at the high school for the second half of the day. The teachers, my parents, the psychologists, none of them really knew what they were dealing with, or what to do about it (mind you, this was in 1989). Now that you and his teachers are aware, you will have a much better idea of how to approach his education.

As for whether or not a diagnosis is really important to me, I'd have to say yes, in some ways. For one, my father is really in the same boat, although it may be too late for him to accept it. There has been a long history of 'weird genius' running through our family, and I would like to try to really pin it down before I have children, so that I may be better equipped to accommodate them.
It would also mean a lot to my mother. She is bipolar, and melodramatic as she is, has always carried some guilt about the difficulties I had in childhood and adolescence.
And, honestly, I think it would be important to me to tie up these loose ends, though going through yet another round of testing/therapy would be stressful. Of course, walking out to get the mail is stressful for me, so I guess it's all relative.

By the way, if anyone wants to refer a reasonably-priced psychiatrist, who is experienced in these things, in the Jacksonville, Florida area, I'd appreciate it, as I am desperate. Just drop me a PM.

Phyn

Greetings, Phynhas! Hoping you are finding the answers you are looking for!

Phynhas,

Welcome. Sorry to hear about your long term battle with misdiagnosis...unfortunately it is a common occurrence.

The DSM IV is an easily misused tool. Heck, on any given day I would swear that according to the DSM IV criteria I am ODD, OCD, ADD, and possibly a little borderline thrown in for good measure.

Pay more attention to what makes sense...feels right for you...and less on what the "experts" think.

Phyn, thank you for replying to my response to you.

In all honesty, sometimes I do wish we were in the dark as to my son's "disability" - (GOD that word makes me SOOOOO mad - but the school uses it all the time). We have found that it has opened another can of worms, especially in the case of my son who had quite a long time trying to adjust to it, and fighting it with all his might. It breaks my heart when he says what he wishes for is a cure so that he can be "normal". For me personally to recognise the many aspie traits within myself liberated me and set me free...

I hope you find the answers you need to enable your liberation.

Jus


Quick note to fresco - I hear what you are saying, and also wish you well

Hi Phyn, I'm one of those parents who is concerned about misdiagnosis in the early years. Things are better today but we're still seeing way too many doctors missing it. In fact almost half of parents find the probable answer from sources outside of the medical community.

One way to find out about specialists in your area would be to contact a local Autism society. They usually have a good handle on who in the area is most qualified to diagnose.
http://209.200.89.252/search_site/chapt ... =&state=FL

Thank you Pippen, thank link was very helpful.

Phyn