I am so glad being able to finally say that. It's been four years of searching for a diagnosis. I passed through a lot of psychologists and opinions, but I finally got a diagnosis ON PAPER! And I emphasize this because it feels like until now, I didn't have the right to say I'm autistic. If I did, people would quickly tell me it was just a wrong of me to be having that idea and that unless I had an official diagnosis by a professional and on paper (because some consider that a verbal diagnosis doesn't really count) it wasn't official even if it was something I honestly believed. And I respected that. If people would ask me if I had Asperger's, I would answer "maybe" or "that's what I'm trying to find out". My psychologist wanted time to be sure, the psychiatrist confirmed it on his first session, but his diagnosis was verbal and didn't think I needed it on paper. But after going to my local Autism Center and asking for an evaluation I was finally given the diagnosis on paper.
But I feel this means a lot in many other things. Reading the conclusion, and having a two hour talk with the lady who diagnosed me, she explained how I did present the symptoms. And you know, until now, I couldn't stop wondering if I really did have it. But after the conversation we had, the things written on there, I was convinced.
I was given the ADOS test Module 4 for adults. I'm 28 years old. The tests were strange, but very fun and interesting.
I even learned things I wasn't able to notice before. She told me I had facial expressions that were out of place for my age, the tone of voice, the laughing was inappropriate, etc. She told me that in a conversation I ask things related to my interests and that I don't have the correct responses to spontaneous conversation. It was like she was describing me and understanding my main issues with people. Asperger's, but since the DSM-V change, well Autism Spectrum Disorder.
So after finally having this cleared up, I wanna start fulfilling my dreams. I want to start writing a book about Asperger's. I read Look Me in the Eye, and loved it. Hope to be write a memoir as great as his. Maybe find a couple. Keep having therapy and to the psychiatrist, because it's doing me good. Glad to finally join the forum.
06 Feb 2019, 8:51 pm
