My issue with "self diagnosis".

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I took all of the online tests available, multiple times. I had people I know do not "think like Me" take them too as a sort of "control". I have said before, No one will take my insurance. I know how I think, act and feel. The diagnosis did not exist when I was young. I did not have the option to be labeled as an "aspie" while young as many of you. I am who I am. I am kind of fed up with the "seeking diagnosis etc. etc stuff. " Do you need an english professor to teach you how to speak? Can you research other languages and learn to speak those too? According to many of you it seems you can't learn anything and say you have actually learned it unless you have a diploma. Unless someone else who learned it first signs off on it? Do I really need permission from someone else to say who I am? I'm disgusted about this right now. I have had "specialists" read blood tests I have had and ignore what was in front of their eyes. If I had rested on this instead of believing in myself, I could be dead right now. The psychiatrists I had available to me for the short time I did have them, couldn't even remember my name. They took cel phone calls, continued dropped calls that they had to call back on. Didn't know my meds or even if I were married or not. I know myself better than that.
I have asked about "self diagnosis" validity on here before and most have no problem with simple linguistics. My scores on the tests have been in the same range or higher than those listed by "professionally diagnosed" people. I'm not in college or high school, so I don't need a "certificate" for special treatment. I am on disability for other reasons and have passed their inquisitions multiple times and have been allowed to keep my benefits, No "certificate" needed there. To obtain such a "certificate" I would have to pay over $250.oo per session for a non-specialist to give me one, but would one from a non-specialist count? Ok, the specialist costs $750.oo to start. To be able to say that I have asperger's would cost my family far too much. But I can assure you I have it.
I'll remember to tell my friends I am seeking diagnosis for the flu or poison Ivy unless I have a Dr's note for that too If you like.
This is a really sore spot for me. I'm not going to apologize for my statements. They are my opinion and my feelings. I am not angry at one person in general. I am angry at the Idea that everything has to have clear-cut edges.
PS. The psychiatrist I saw was during the P.A.D. era (pre-asperger's discovery) too.

Yet again, I will point out that I never said people without a diagnosis do not have ASD. I, personally, do not yet have a diagnosis.
But if you do not have a diagnosis, you do not have a diagnosis. I don't know why people find that so hard to accept. It's not my opinion, it's a fact.

A fine point, but it's one of mere schematics. As long as people who do not have a official diagnosis are not simply being disregarded, you're doing it right.

If I weren't diagnosed and I had the same knowledge of AS I had now I would feel fully justified in self diagnoses, because to be frank some professionals don't know as much about AS as some autistics.

This is all just so silly.

1) People need to start minding their own business. Some of you worry far too much about what some people say or think. They can call themselves messengers from god for all I care. Makes no difference to me.

2) Pointless arguing about terminology. We all know what is meant be "self diagnosis". If it were commonly agreed that believing you had aspergers after long and careful consideration was defined by saying "I have the snoottle tootles" then everyone would still understand what you mean. The terms change nothing as long as the meaning is understood by all.

3) You can have your precious piece of paper from a "qualified professional" and it may still be worthless as they may have made a mistake.

I can sense the indignant anger. Honestly, you'd think people had more important things to worry about.

Do you ever ask that person with the diploma where they graduated in their class - in the top 10%, in the bottom 10%. I think I would trust the diagnosis of the guy or girl in the top 10% more than the bottom. since doctors are not required to share this information, and it is generally considered rude to ask, how do you know you can trust the diagnosis you received? A degree does not automatically confer critical thinking skills. How do you know you are speaking to someone who gets by on book knowledge alone but has horrible clinical skills?

Too many people here have horror stories about revolving doors of dx's - one doctor changes the the last doctor's dx and on and on and on. Women seem to have the worst trouble with this. Couple that with several generations worth of adults that never had the opportunity for a diagnosis in childhood along with a poor understanding of exactly how AS adults have learned to cope and how to recognise them, it stands to reason that the medical establishment is hard pressed to come to terms with this huge gap in their understanding. Adult dx is still conjecture - even for professionals. There are no DSM standards for dxing adults. It is all subjective.

When a doctor tells a 40 year old man he doesn't have Asperger's because he doesn't walk on his toes, is married and has a job... yes. I question the 'professionals'.