I've Contacted the Uni's Office of Disability Services

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Or, rather, I sent in their online pre-screening form. I didn't mention AS or ASDs at all. I told them that I was having some interpersonal problems in my department -- things are better, but I'm still having issues -- and having problems with time management. I really hadn't realized how bad my time management skills were until I got into this program. Suddenly, my pattern of leaving everything until the last minute is causing me problems. I figured I'd leave any discussion of autistic features until the actual face-to-face part.

Now, I'm spooked and second-guessing myself. I don't know what I expect them to do -- I don't really want or need any of the accomodations they offer students, I'd just like a little help getting and staying organized and with the social anxiety. They mention screening for depression, ADHD and learning disabilities on their website, but not AS, so I don't know if they could even do the assessment. Now, I'm worried that my contacting them will somehow get back to my department and make things worse. (Yeah, I know, HIPAA regs, but still, I'm worried. I didn't say it was rational.)

Overall, this semester's been better than last. I'm making eye contact, stimming far less and relaxing and talking more with the other students. I don't get overwhelmed as easily. I've started writing creatively again, too. Maybe I should just leave it alone. I've gotten this far without official word yea or nay, after all.

Thanks for reading. I suppose this is just a venting post.

Well, hmm. The director of ODS emailed me on Monday and asked what exactly was needed, so I emailed back and asked specifically about assessment testing for ASDs. Anyway, she hasn't answered. The website says to give them five working days, so I'll need to wait until next Monday to decide what to do next.

What tye of program are you taking? I think the best ways to improve time management is to keep track of assignments and projects on your computer or in a journal or notebook, whichever is your preference. I like to make spreadsheets, personally. I am obsessed with them, and use them every opportunity I get, LOL.

You can even go old-school and make yourself a chart for your wall- make a schedule to mark off your tasks, including non-academic things. You can use reminders in you email program too. My college had reminders you could set in their email server. This is pretty standard- so you have an email account through your school?

Also, even if the disability office does not have what you need- you should have an academic advisor you can make an appointment to see and discuss your issues. As expensive as college is, you should get every penny's worth and use all your resources available.

When your in university, you can't leave things untill the last minute - it won't work. Though there website may not mention ASDs, usually disability services consider ASDs to be lumped into the learning disabilities category. My disability service on campus was like that too where they considered ASDs to be a learning diasbility, but were 100% fully aware of what ASDs are. I would tell them that you are diagnosed with austism spectrum disorder, you don't need to specifically say Asperger's syndrome.

My last minute rushes always worked as an undergrad. I'm still getting used to the graduate school pace, though. Things that never really bothered me before are causing problems now.

Also, I can't tell them I'm diagnosed, because I'm not. I have autistic features, but according to my therapist I'm too high functioning to meet the diagnostic requirements. I just want to get an official assessment, if possible, and some help adjusting in some areas, since I'm having problems.

Pumibel: I've tried keeping journals of assignments, but I always lose them. Right now, I make lists and sublists to keep myself on track, but I still seem to always be in a rush at the last minute. I have actually thought about putting a piece of posterboard on the wall of my office at the school with a schedule, maybe I'll try that. Thanks.

Is your therapist someone who is legally able to make a diagnosis? If not, I would suggest seeing someone who is to get a second opinion. Your therapist is probably just talking through her ass.

No, he's just a psychotherapist. He has one woman AS patient and I'm apparently higher functioning than she is, so that's what he's basing his comments on. That's one of the reasons I'm contacting ODS. I want to talk to them about getting a real assessment.

I did finally hear from her this afternoon. She didn't send the email until 4:30 pm and I just now checked my email again. I'll make an appointment with her and discuss the issue. One way or the other, at least I'll know for sure.

Well, I had my meeting yesterday, and the ODS is going to try and track down someone with the university who can do an assessment for me for low or no charge. She wanted to meet with me to make sure there wasn't something else going on first, though. I hope she can find someone. I really can't afford the fees charged by the professional testing centers around here.

Just wanted to say good luck to you!

Pumibel, I'm the same with tree structures (for example, as in TreePad, KeyNoteNF, etc., and dabbling into spreadsheet territory with TreeSheets). I am still trying to improve my organization, adapting to full-time university study. Can you give some examples of column and row categories/titles for organising, &/or advice on how to design these in this format? Any software recommendations? Excel?