Why early detection is so critical

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Autism isn't a label, it's a diagnosis. Huge difference. Could you imagine if someone told you they had cancer and you replied with "why do you need to label yourself?". It wouldn't happen and it shouldn't happen because it's a diagnosis, not a label.

I feel uneasy with this because to me, yes, autism is a diagnosis. Yet when I told someone above me at work because he kept pointing out how I was so literal, and noticing me flap my arms when I get upset, and not figure out how to have a group conversation, and other kinds of things and knows about ASDs, so I finally said I have this diagnosis, because hearing continual references to it as if it was some kind of thing I put on was so frustrating and confusing.

Since that time, I feel like I've become different, he can no longer relate to me or is not willing to, I am now an object, a label

I understand this was my choice to say out loud, and that this is a person not the word. But given that people seem to see autism and Aspergers as both diagnoses and labels, at least in the grown up world, I guess I feel that trying to exist, survive if I can, depends on understanding and acknowledging as much of what really happens that will need to be considered in the future as possible.

Maybe it's just the person, though. But of the two people above, I think both know, though I'm not sure. One is nicer than he used to be, the other seems not to like me or want to talk to me if possible since then.

So to me, autism and Aspergers are more then diagnoses. That's not how I wish things were, it's just a description of things that have happened and hurt me because I worry for people and it really isn't easy being labeled by not only ones speech and behavior but also separately by having a diagnosis, too.

You got a weird reaction because no one understands what autism is. It's really sad and I'm sorry to hear that you're getting a bad reaction from people at work. I hope one day people will react better to those with autism because they're educated on it.

I have no idea why you are quoting me. Your comment has nothing to do with mine. I've never actually said that autism is a label.

I hope someday things are better, too, thank you for saying that. The whole situation makes me very afraid and ashamed though I'm not sure of what because I feel I have been able to do a lot of things. Just not able to escape being labeled. So I really appreciate that you think the reaction is weird.

You were discussing labels and I wanted to throw in my opinion about labels and how autism (since we are on an autism forum) relates to the label issue. I wasn't attacking or responding to you, I was just adding to the topic you were discussing. Also, I quoted you and 2 others at the same time, not JUST you.

That´s right. No one knows much about it.
My psychiatrist wrote "Aspergers personality disorder"! !! He didn´t assess me, but accepted it as an explanation to my "failing contact and communicative weakness". Well, he´s a kind man anyhow.
A doctor wrote in my papers: "Wants to talk to a psychologist because of "fear of the asperger lunacy". (:lol: ) when she referred me to the psychologist. She was very ok.

It's a label if you say "autistic person".
It's a diagnosis if you say "person with autism".

Hi babybird,

I am also proud of myself. Like yourself I am way behind where the majority of people my own age are.
I have done VERY WELL considering that 7 years ago a psychiatrist said that I had the mind of a 12 year old in some aspects & of a much younger child in others. But then I was put on ADHD meds & I was then able to develop.

I'd now say that most of me is at the same stage of most 19 or 20 year olds.

Yes!

Agreed. I'd say I'm in the road to a successful and profitable life... Only time will tell. If I had suspected and gotten dx'd early I might have a pathetic attitude toward my future. (I'm NOT pointing fingers to ANYONE this is solely what I expect of myself)

It's like helping a bird out of its egg. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

It depends how your self esteem survives through a childhood and teen years with a lot of social and other problems, that might not be understood and accepted by the surroundings.