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totallyconfused
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02 Feb 2011, 9:51 am

Hello Everyone,
New here and pretty sure I have AS. Actually I am certain I have it. The thing is I am a teenager. Shouldn't this have already been discovered? Is it worth getting diagnosed? And what are the pros and cons of being diagnosed with AS? Thanks,
TotallyConfused



Cicely
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03 Feb 2011, 2:31 am

It's normal for Asperger's to go undiagnosed, especially in girls. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 17. I think the diagnosis has been worth it, mostly because it helps me understand that my problems are legitimate, that my brain works differently, and that I'm not an inferior person because of it. I've also started therapy right after the diagnosis, which has helped me with my anxiety and depression. Plus, I get some accomodations at school, like testing in a quiet area. The only major downside for me is the cost of the evaluation and therapy, but I think if you can afford it it's absolutely worth getting evaluated.



totallyconfused
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06 Feb 2011, 7:42 am

Thanks. This has helped.
So far it does seem like there are a lot of great benifits to being diagnosed. It would be so great to get to test somewheres quiet and things like that in school.
Two more questions:
What happens when you do try to get diagnosed. I mean its not the type of thing where they can do some medical test for it. So how do they determine you have it?
Second what type of therapist.



IceCreamGirl
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06 Feb 2011, 9:21 am

Sometimes teenagers are diagnosed with AS. You probably should get a diagnosis.

Pros:
*You'll be able to get help in life as an adult.
*You'll get an IEP at school, which is a plan to help you with your problems.
*If you acted a little different, you'll undestand why.

Cons:
I actually can't think of any cons.



purplewowies
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09 Feb 2011, 12:35 am

I was tested for AS three years ago, and I THINK I was diagnosed (the school did the tests, and I get conflicting info from my parents). I also think they were going to give me accommodations, but my dad said no (didn't want me to "use it as a crutch"), so I didn't get any of them, even though my mom wanted me to have them.

Thing is, I don't think I'll be able to pass this year without accommodations (and I REALLY want to graduate this year with my class). Is there any way I can possibly get them (assuming I qualify for them)?



daedal
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15 Feb 2011, 12:31 pm

No, I was diagnosed in my teens.

I was just an odd child. There wasn't anything obviously wrong with me to my parents, who grew up in families of weirdos and depressives. I definitely got feedback from my peers, but apart from the teacher writing stuff like 'X must learn to behave appropriately in the playground etc etc', I was just a lively kid. The differences became even more pronounced when I became a teenager, I became more unhappy and suddenly I became obsessed with finding out about Aspergers, and away we went. People might just not have a name to put to your quirks, although it's unlikely that you're much more than mild AS or PDD-Nos.