Diagnosis? Newb.

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Hello, everybody. I'm an actor, geography teacher, and all-around-newb and I've had an enlightening week.

Some time ago I took the AQ test (on Wired, I think) and got aspie results. However, I then told my mother, who is a special ed. teacher, and she told me that there was no way, because she has taught kids with aspergers (problem: I'm an adult.) This week, however, I got curious again and took seven different online tests, all scoring in the Asperger's range. The only outlier was a test showing perhaps MORE autism than the others: a 10 on the EQ test.

Not yet satisfied, I went through old family photos ("I'll be damned!" probably slipped out more than once) and did some more research to rule out alternatives (NLD, etc.) What convinced me, I think, was watching one of Taylor Morris' videos in which she described her "other world." I've been able to create my own worlds since at least elementary school, although a key difference is that I am a central character in mine.

This forum has been very helpful so far, and I look forward to spending some time here. I have two newb questions:

1) I am 95% certain that Asperger's fits my description. For someone who has adapted and done ok as an adult, what are the possible advantages of a diagnosis?

2) In your experience, how did you go about deciding whether or whom to tell?

Thanks everyone,

Fred

Update: Had lunch with my mom yesterday and told her. She said "well I'm not surprised!"

Welkome to WrongPlanet.

The WP Kink

For adults to acquire a formal diagnosis is a step in the direction of a society that doesn't discriminate against autistics. A small step, it's true, but they're the ones the journey of a thousand miles begins with.

I had never thought of Asperger's until I happened to do the AQ Test in my fifties, and was surprised at how high my score was. Like you I also did many other tests, but I also knew that I had had unusual sensory sensitivity for decades - something very common among Aspies.

The turning point was being told out of the blue that one or two close relatives probably have AS too - ah, the family connection, the genes!

Anyway, I decided to see a well-recommended psychologist specialising in ASD to get help with my sensory sensitivity, and to get a diagnostic assessment as well. The result was "positive" - I have AS. Since then, the psychologist and I have been working on anxiety issues, and now the sensory issues, with a bit of executive dysfunction thrown in as well. This has been helpful in making me more aware of my reactions, and in giving me a "toolkit" of skills to manage my emotions.

Getting diagnosed removes (or reduces) any doubts - it is no longer just you, but an experienced specialist, who thinks you have AS. Also, the psychologist pointed out a number of things he had observed about my social interaction that I was not aware of - things about tone of voice, mannerisms, sensory overload, etc. Finally, although I had already decided that I had AS, it was still a big deal emotionally getting the Dx - I had to work through the grief reaction ("If only it had been picked up years ago!") and accept what I am. You cannot really manage or change something if you haven't accepted that it is part of you.

In general, a Dx can help make sense of your life, may give you objective feedback about yourself, and may help others to understand you better (because they know you are officially diagnosed).

There are some good discussions of diagnosis here: http://chaoticidealism.livejournal.com/70133.html and http://chaoticidealism.livejournal.com/74983.html

Welcome to WrongPlanet!

Is it better to know then not know or for something to be known than unknown, is the known better than the unknown or is not knowing better than knowing???

If you WANT to know if you have Asperger's and you are 100% sure you want to go through with it, then see the specialists and go through with a diagnosis...

If you are NOT sure you want the 'austistic' label branded on you, then don't go through with it, if AS traits are affecting your life then prehaps talk to a pysch to help you out...

Welcome!

Thanks, everybody!

I found out about a place that I can go for testing, so I have decided to go in for a diagnosis soon. Things really came to a head this week, and I had to tell my boss about it. I think he believed that I was dishonest/didn't like him because I can't look him in the eye, he was springing meetings on me suddenly, and an issue developed because I have a different way of doing things than one of my coworkers. Either way, I feel better after having the conversation, but I feel like I need paperwork to back it up just in case.

I haven't posted much yet, but I'm enjoying the site so far and have enjoyed reading the posts and comments!

Welcome!

Welcome to WP!

I am twice your age and then some and am at a similar point in my understanding.
Being content now makes the journey worth while and enables gratitude often
am not sure that I have much need to be "official"
As popeye says, "I yam what I yam" fortunately I like yams