Self-diagnosis and self-identification

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Dear users,

Recently I was offered learning support by the university I attend, due to the results of a screening test for learning impairments. Further investigation (a series of general learning, intelligence and developmental disorder screening tests) by the support team and my own research has led to me to come to my own conclusion that I am very likely to be an autistic person. Even though the diagnostic criteria for ASD explains almost every problem I have experienced as an adult and as a child, I am still unsure if it appropriate to call myself an autistic person. My doctor seems supportive of this but, due to long waiting lists on the NHS, it may be a very long time before I am seen by a properly qualified healthcare professional.

In the meantime, do you think it is appropriate for self-diagnosed autistic people to self-identify as autistic without a professional diagnosis?

No. There is nothing to gain. Besides, do you want to be known as "That hypochondriac who thinks (s)he is an Aspie"?

I will offer how it was for me. After first hearing of Asperger's, I felt like I was reading my own biography. I thought, "Wow, this is me, after all these years of wondering why I am the way I am ... this is it!" But I did not go out and say I had Asperger's ... not yet. I scheduled an appointment for a diagnosis from a qualified expert. After running through the necessary testing and interviewing and paperwork and and and, I was diagnosed with Asperger's and proceeded to schedule some counseling sessions. It was after the professional diagnosis that I made known I had Asperger's. I can't speak for others, but I thought I would share how I felt about it for me.

No----unless you make some kind of qualifying statement, like: "I THINK I might be, but I don't have an official diagnosis, yet".

I mean you could self diagnose yourself but I know for me I am unable to see things from the outside. I have a tendency to see things not for what they are. You can see a psychiatrist but I feel to be truly diagnosed you need to see a therapist and spend a few sessions talking about things. You will only spend a matter of a few short minutes with a Dr. I have a scattering of mood disorder, paranoid, anxiety, and aspergers. But without seeing the experts there is no way I could have self diagnosed myself. However with that being said you are the expert on yourself and how the medicines are working for you. They can give advise and what they think but you working with them is how to get the most accurate diagnosis.

I don't think you should question others' ideas of appropriateness. You can self-identify as whatever you want, regardless of what others say or think. I, for one, have been thinking about self-identifying as a kumquat.

That said, I would caution you to think in-depth about everything that self-identifying as Autistic would entail before you "come out," as it were. What could it mean for your relationships? Your family? Your employment? Once you open that door, there's no going back. Be absolutely sure you're okay with whatever consequences may arise. Until you're okay with that, you could always just sit on the sidelines and be an Autism advocate or ally. Nothing wrong with having a vested interest in the community while not sharing your self-diagnosis until you are ready. I did that for the better part of a year and it only strengthened my resolve.

I get that there can be a large backlash here about self-diagnosis, but we've all had to start somewhere. I would encourage you to pursue that professional diagnosis if self-identifying is that important to you.

Pretty close to my own experience as well. I was diagnosed as an adult - the psychologist who diagnosed me said it was pretty obvious that I had Asperger's.

I see no problem with telling people "I may be autistic - I seem to have a lot of autistic traits" if you think you might be autistic but are undiagnosed. I would encourage you to pursue screening if you think you might be autistic.

I'd see nothing wrong with you self diagnosing as having autism...as long as you aren't lying about having an official diagnoses if you don't have one...but seems like its very likely you could be on the spectrum especially if doctors/mental health people agree with you. Just be honest its a self diagnoses/you haven't gotten official assessment yet and don't try to pass off as being officially diagnosed...but for the time being if it seems to explain things it could be helpful to look at things in the context of having autism and see if that helps you in your life.


I considered myself self diagnosed for a while before I was able to get my diagnoses.

Last edited by Sweetleaf on 15 Jan 2015, 1:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Why would they be known as that? sounds like the OP has pretty good reason to believe they are on the spectrum, a hypochondriac is someone who on a constant basis thinks/is convinced they have all kinds of serious ailments(usually physical) which the end up not to have....in fact seems like hypochondria is a pretty crappy disorder, causes a lot of anxiety and turmoil for people that have it. But I just don't see how someone would be a hypochondriac for self identifying as having autism when they have good reason to believe it is very possible.

http://www.lifeonthespectrum.net/blog/?page_id=1001

Fnord, don't start another war. People left over the last one. Maybe you were pleased about that, I hope not.

NTs seem to consider any admission of a "hidden" medical issue (AS, asthma, et cetera) as just an excuse to get out of something unpleasant, like work. Sure, a broken leg is obvious and needs to be taken care of. Just as obvious are stitches and burns. But trying to convince my co-workers that having asthma means that I can not breath around a smoker is seen as "just an excuse" to avoid working with certain people or in certain unpleasant environments.

No, it isn't me this time who is judging the OP, but the NTs at the OP's workplace that would be most likely be quick to apply the "hypochondriac" label, just as the people around me laugh and make jokes when I am gasping for air and searching desperately for my inhaler.

I have mixed feelings on this - after all, ASDs are lifelong things, and you don't suddenly 'become' autistic at the point at which you receive a diagnosis: you always were. However, perhaps it's my black-and-white thinking, but I would personally feel uncomfortable laying claim to something that only a specialist is 'allowed' to diagnose. I'm in a similar situation as it happens: waiting for the NHS to avail me of an assessment, and hoping that when I return to uni I'll be able to get support even if I haven't yet been diagnosed. For my part I choose, when in situations I find difficult, to tell people that I have difficulty with [e.g. being in noisy environments] as it is more informative than saying 'I suspect I am autistic', because I don't feel comfortable identifying myself in such a way without 'official' proof (I mean, I score in the 'aspie' ranges on the AQ, EQ, and RQ, and several clinicians agree with me, but none have the power to issue a diagnosis).

I'm fine with a person saying they have self-diagnosed with autism but not that they are autistic, because 'I am autistic' implies they were officially diagnosed.

It sounds like your workplace is full of serial bullies and sociopaths. Laughing and making fun of someone's genuine distress when they are unable to help it is despicable. Most workplaces aren't like that. Perhaps it would be better for your health if you sought another position.
To the OP, I would be very wary of calling yourself autistic until you have the proper documentation to back up your claims, just in case anyone decides to turn discriminatory. It does happen, unfortunately.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

That is despicable and disturbing.

OP, it depends on the situation. Family, friends, work, WP ... my answers would be different.

They got reprimanded for it, and now we're ALL being "requested" by management to earn some kind of Red Cross certification - in CPR, at least.