Brand New And Nervous

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Hi, I'm Chloe. I'm from Canada, I'm twenty years old and currently living at home.

I suspect I have Asperger's but I also suspect that I could be making it up or wanting it because it would be unusual. I'm not sure, I don't make sense to myself half of the time. I have issues with socializing, although I do have friends, my speech tends to drift into the weird (my sentences! they start and then they don't finish anywhere in the same place. I also stutter and repeat words when I'm stressed.) and I don't have any problem imagining things. I do tend to be very sound sensitive (beeping- oh sweet sugar, do I hate beeping. I will tear the house apart to find something that beeps and make it STOP. Also, loud noises make me yelp.) and also touch sensitive- I can't stand people touching me unless I initiate it or have time to prepare myself for it.

I took those three tests, my score is 34 on the autism spectrum quotient
For the autism spectrum components my scores are
RBI: 8
SI: 8
L: 5
POC: 8
IR: 5
RP: 8
S: 6
M: 3
And on the last test, my score is 163.

These scores make it look like I might have asperger's- I'm going to the doctor's later today, so I'm wondering how I should bring this up and ask if I can get diagnosed. I'm not at all sure of the process of getting diagnosed either and unless I know what to say I probably won't say anything. Does anyone have any advice in the next two hours?

Thank you and hello!

Welcome to WP!

Tim

Thank you kindly!

Heey hope you feel welcome here! I am pretty new myself.. I know exactly what you mean with sound issues. Lately it has been the time of year when crickets are around and we always get some hiding around the house... those dang things start chirping and I will tear the house apart looking for it lol.

Good luck with your diagnosis.

I can try to give some advice.. although I have not been to a psychologist yet... but it may help to think of what you want to say before you go. Don't worry about embarassing yourself because I am sure doctors understand how hard it is to talk about these sort of things. Just ask him what he needs to know and answer his questions as truthfully as you can. If you want, make sure those tests you took are from a reliable source and bring them in. You can also look around these forums and see what other diagnosed Aspies experience and see if you can relate. That might help when you talk to your doctor.

Hope I helped!

Whereabouts in Canada are you? I'm in BC.

It really depends on the GP. If you happen to have a doctor that has actually read about Asperger's and has known some people with it, you will be in good luck. Otherwise, you have to be prepared for the doctor to tell you outright "no you're not like those people" due to the widespread stereotypes and lack of education in that area for the average GP. It would be a good idea to take an article or checklist of AS symptoms and then on another paper list the reasons why you match those symptoms. My first time when I mentioned that to a doctor he thought it was ridiculous because he said "I met an Asperger's guy, he sounded like a robot, you don't sound like a robot, I'm really sure you can't have Asperger's." (Even though I actualy do sound "Aspie" often because I wil rant on in a somewhat monotone voice, at least for a girl.) And he wouldnt give me a referal to a psychiatrist to check it out
Two years later, a couple months ago, when I was seeing a psychiatrist for other issues, I mentioned a few people with experience thought it was likely I had Asperger's, and he laughed out loud at me! He said basically "I've seen autistic people, you don't act autistic, those people must be wrong." (rainman?) Then when he was talking with my mom on the phone, my mom gave him lots of real info on AS (she worked with some AS kids and thinks I have it) and he admitted he hadnt actually read anything about it beyond the DSM-IV. After that he appologized and asked me some real questions.

So, its normal to be nervous, but its important to really prepare yourself for ignorance. Just realize that it's common for people not to know much about AS, and if they tell you you can't have it, ask for a detailed reason why they disagree with your symptoms. If they can't adequately discuss common symptoms of AS, you can probably tell the doctor is not well informed.
But don't take it personally! Of course its possible you dont have AS, but you want at least the opportunity to properly discuss it with someone who is experienced and knowledgable before you accept the "no".

Welcome to Wrongplanet.

Why should you be nervous?

Your in safe hands now.

Make yourself at home.

Nice to meet you, Chloe.

Welcome aboard, Chloe.

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Life is a journey, let's ride

Welcome to WrongPlanet