Seek an official Asperger's diagnosis?

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Hi all,

A request for suggestions. I recently came across some info on Asperger's and feel like it might apply to me. I've been successful in many areas of my life (professionally) and have a small group of close friends but have struggled all throughout life feeling painfully socially awkward (always, even when I'm "faking" being comfortable), emotionally distant from family/friends and generally feeling like I've never really belonged. I took some of the online "tests" and came up with strong Asperger's symptoms (not a real surprise in retrospect).

So my question is.... if I suspect I have Asperger's, of what value is it to go seek a professional diagnosis at this point in my life? I'm 38. To complicate things, I'm in a small town about 3 hours away from a city big enough to support the specialists that I assume would be able to make the diagnosis.

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Spudster

1. A proper diagnosis can only be done by someone experienced with ASD, and therefore is:
2. Expensive and is:
3. Pointless unless you just want to "know" because:
4. It's only useful if you want services or for the reason above.

I have no idea why this post took the form of a list, but I'm sure it's understandable.

I do. Some of us like lists. I love lists and tables, for example...

Anyway, I can only say of my own experience, I went to the GP and was referred to a psychiatrist, he then referred me to a clinical psychologist who saw me for some months and also then had me see a specialist man who was expert in the autistic spectrum, that is how I ended up taking evaluations and being diagnosed, it was quite a journey!

Thanks y'all,

That's kinda what I figured, at this point in my life a professional diagnosis is probably somewhat useless. I'll read some more of the forums to continue my self-diagnosis.

Thanks again and see everyone in the forums,
Spudster