To ask the question
I have not yet been officially diagnozed. I see many autistic traits in my behaviour, both looking back when I was growing up aswell as the present day.
I see quite some traits in my father aswell, and I know it can be passed on genetically.
I also went through brain surgery when I was 15 years old, because of a benign tumor.
What I am struggling with right now is how to approach the subject.
Could my parents be aware of me being AS, but chose early on not to tell me about it?
Could the brain surgery be the cause of my present AS-like condition? Being on the "inside of the fishtank" I guess I'd be incapable of seeing these things myself.
How on earth do I ask these questions? No matter what the answers will be, they will be life-changing. I'm terrified of what my parents could end up telling me. But I guess living with these questions would be even worse ...
On the other hand, how do you feel as a parent if your son comes to you and asks you if he's autistic / has suffered brain damage? Perhaps it's all in my head, I am over-analyzing myself?
I have no answers ... Understandable when there are no easy answers.
I feel caught between a rock and a hard place.
pi_woman
Deinonychus
Joined: 15 May 2006
Age: 62
Gender: Female
Posts: 301
Location: In my own little world
Are you over 18? If so, I'd suggest doing some research on your own before approaching your parents.
There's plenty to read online or at the library or bookstore. I used the AQ (Autism Spectrum Quotient) quiz by Simon Baron-Cohen to validate my suspicions of Aspergers before calling a local autism support organization and asking them to recommend someone who could diagnose me.
In any case, your local autism support organization can probably give you some guidance on options for educating yourself about AS and/or diagnosis (ask about cost if they refer you to a psychiatrist).
Good luck. And remember, Aspergers is a neurological "condition", not a "disorder". Your brain isn't malfunctioning, it's just been hardwired differently since early childhood.
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