No diagnosis? WTH?

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Tom, what you got there is NOT a diagnostic report. It's a set of observational notes based on a fifteen minute visit that NO good professional worth his/her salt would ever take seriously.

All they are saying is that based on that fifteen minutes of observation they didn't see any reason to look further.

Sounds to me like the pace you went to was some kind of clinic that handles a LOT of cases, and is mostly geared toward identifying urgent problems, not Autism. You need to go to a doctor that SPECIALIZES in Autism. Don't ever take the word of your "local mental health team."

They have to put something in the report. You can't expect any major revelations from a fifteen minute visit unless your telling them you hear voices, are going to kill yourself, or something else equally hair raising. It's the wrong place for that.

The council chamber setting also sends the message that they are assessing you for disability benefits, not any particular impairment. Did you apply for something that necessitated the assessment?

I don't know whether you have AS or not but what I can say for sure is that you NEED to get a second opinion. Proper diagnosis is a process that takes a long while over several visits. Also I would report that quack to the board as soon as possible. He/she is a danger to the community being able to practice.

Lolz. Just out of curiosity Tom... Are you in Canada?
I'm in Ontario and in my thirties, and I got the exact same scenario & result
(at a so called Asperger's/Autism expert)

Him: You don't have it
Me: Wha? We've only seen each other twice for like 15 minutes each time. (Over 6 weeks)
Him: You don't have it
Me: Wha.. Bu.. How are you sure?
Him: There are certain physical characteristics we looks for
Me: Um.. well what.. I'm still having troubles with life, what DO I have?
Him: Maybe it's some sort of learning disorder
By this point I was just so flustered that I sat there for a while
Me: So what do I do next?
That flustered him. Finally he said
Him: Well I'll set you up with a career counsellor. I have another patient waiting.

He never did set up that counsellor and I waited 3 months before calling back and finding that they had closed my file that day and that in order to get any help I'd need to go through the whole process again. Which isn't easy when you can't find a family doctor / GP who's accepting patients.

Diagnosing children and adults are quite different things. If your doctor have no experience in diagnosing adults it is very possible that he/she well make wrong conclusion. I believe that some traits are more obvious in children. For example, when I was about 15, I forced myself to make eye-contact while talking with others, however I never learn it, I always feel uncomfortable, unnatural, nerves to look at someone's eyes. But at least I make more eye-contact now.

If you are an adult, have no severe problem, most doctors well comfort you and tell you just go home. You may notice that they are passive about your diagnosis because they don't think that diagnosis could help you anything(this is truth).

As others have said, I too would suggest you get a second opinion. My diagnosis took hours and I am clearly autistic with no coping mechanisms that I am aware of in place. She still did not diagnose me right away. To refuse a diagnosis or to diagnose in a matter of 15 minutes is ridiculous. They can make an ASSUMPTION in that time, but not a definitive diagnosis. Also, when they said no mental health issues...maybe they were not referring to ASD. No idea, but I don't think many qualified psychs (qualified to diagnose ASDs, I mean) would consider autism to be a mental health disorder.

The way you make eye contact is as important as whether you make it, it's usually unnatural in AS kids; older kids and adults may learn through their intellectual capacity to mimic the eye contact they notice between other people.

I have some horror stories too. Not too long ago, I've had a couple of shrinks plus a psychiatrist tell me within 5 minutes of my very first visit with each of them that I was bi-polar. Is it because I am female? IDK, but it's stupid to make generalizations about anyone without delving deeper into the patient's psyche. Now what makes this interesting is that about years ago I was tested extensively, & my shrink at that time, couldn't give me a DX. So how is it that many years later I am bi-polar & DXd after just a few minutes of speaking with the shrink? And with no testing what-so-ever? I just can't fathom it, unless it's because they're making huge profits along with the pharmaceuticals companies who like to dole out drugs like candy. I am not a guinea pig, & I refuse to go along with this craziness. Reminds me of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, only this is real life...mine! I have learned to mimic eye contact, but it can be erratic. Also, if someone comments that I am lying because of where I point my eyes, inevitably, my eyes always point in that direction. It happens like that everytime. Btw, I suck at lying...couldn't do it if my life depended on it. And the people doing the accusing know that I am a horrible liar. Go figure.

It got even better with the psychiatrist who blathered on & on about putting me on some powerful meds for bi-polar (without testing). I refused any meds & a prescription at that point. I have seen what being on the wrong medication can do to a person, & I was not going down that road. Then she added that I must spend tons of money at casinos self-medicating my issues (45 minutes into my 1st meeting). I despise casinos & tried to explain that to her. She refused to hear me at that point about my explanation. Sensory issues galore have assaulted me whenever I've gone to casinos in the past with my parents (gambling addicts themselves). I don't gamble, don't like the noise, the cigarette smoke, the flashing lights, etc. (Before I went into her office, I made a promise to myself that if things got stupid, I'd leave.) So at that point, I stood up, grabbed my bag, & left her office without looking back! She was still chatting away as I left. I'm not even sure she realized I wasn't going to sit back down & continue for the next 15 minutes wasting more of my time.

I am hoping I will now get my DX. It's the only one that makes sense. I know Aspergers is rare in females, but I have been doing extensive research for several years now, & it makes complete sense. Also the list of female traits fits me like a glove, I have aspects of nearly every issue listed.

Now I am seeing a new shrink, & she agreed to have me tested. I am not quite happy with the doctor because at my last meeting with her, she insinuated I was at complete fault for things I cannot control. However, I have been able to start the testing & have another round tomorrow. So far, I've spent 3 hours meeting with the doctor who tests for Aspergers/Autism specificially. And surprisingly, I like her! She asked a multitude of questions before actually having me take the test. Tomorrow it's the cognitive & some other tests I'll be taking. So at least I am now on the right track, after years of being derailed by idiots. I don't care how much education a person has, if they cannot listen to their patients about what's going on, the patient is not going to get treated properly for his/her issues. Also the person who wants help is not going to be happy either with the doctor/social worker/etc.