Asperger Hard To diagnose? Or Good idea?

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I spoke to my GP about having myself Aspergers Syndrome; he said that after a little chat I told him about wanting to be diagnosed Asperger Syndrome.

I told him that I self diagnosed myself Aspergers syndrome using some search made using books and the use of the internet.

He eventually got to the point that Aspergers syndrome is hard to diagnose in adults. To gut it short a little I really wondered if it is really hard to diagnose someone with Aspergers Syndrome. I managed to diagnose myself not because of any illogical, irrational, or unsound rational but logical deduction. I wander if it is hard for NT to diagnose? Even though know that I have AS is not a learning difficulty, it would have many implications legally should I want say a mortgage. My doctor pointed this out to me. So I left it as it stands and I will not be diagnosing myself in future with AS.

The problem is that as a person gets older they get better at hiding the symptoms (either intentionally, subconciously or both) and no one can know what goes on in the mind of another.

After about age 20 unless the doctor has someone who knew you when you were a child to talk to about how you used to behave when you couldnt hide it so well it is very hard to tell if you have it or not and doctors are far too self-important to take your word for it and think anyone capable of objective self-diagnosis.

At six before I even knew what autism was I knew I was autistic but it took my NT doctors 9 years before I was correctly diagnose with AS.


I believe that it is not us but the nuro-typical that lack “theory of the mind.” They can’t see pass their standard serotype to understand for every person who has autism the symptoms might be displayed differently.

Do you know i have forgotten why i want a diagnosis, what are the benefits?

Stripey.....the lollipops,of course

I have struggled with this as well....I am 42,there isnt likely to be an ABA therapy that would be effective in rewiring me ,even if I could do it...I dont think I would sacrifice the positive aspects of myself to get rid of the negative ones.....

The main reason for me ,was a better understanding of my "issues" .Are they a "pathology" created by a chemical inbalance and environmental factors or "brain wiring creating a different perception"
How I chose to adapt to my environment is greatly influenced by having the correct "base"on which to build.I already had labels....Depression,anti-social,selfish,obsessive,CD,all of these things have a "traditional method of treatment" based on an NT deffinition of what is "mentaly healthy"....they havent "worked" for me,inspite of years of effort......some of these "issues" are not the problem but the symptom of my experience with AS(not understanding it myself and the intervention of mental health professions basing their treatment on false primes.)Radiation can be effective when given to someone who has cancer but they can harm people who do not have cancer.

Practical benefits....not many I know of for me.....My therapist is a specialist in Adults with AS,he said half his clients are adult AS,so unless he is some lunitic who DXed me to get more client base(I havent ruled this out,such a cynic)I am hoping he will have some insights into techniques I can use to function better in my dailey life and get a more "exceptable job".....my main goal.

I also have a lot of problems with driving which haas kept me from appling for jobs,etc.If this is a cognitive thing and not just a "phobia,I might be able to use a bus service specifically for people with disabilies(I havent checked into this yet)If I have problems in my current or future jobs...my DX MAY offer me some protections against descrimination or make "reasonable accomidations".

If I reached a point of "over load" should the circumstances change enough to make the "traits" surface past the point where I can function(it has happened in the past and landed me in psyc intervention and on welfare for a short times)I may get more helpful treatment with a DX that fits my issues better.For some people who cant work,it may make it easier for them to get on SSI or something(I dont know much about this,except two of my sisters are on it and it is very little money,so I hope I dont have to use that option)

I have heard it is difficult to get life insurence with DX of AS(maybe even health insurence)but I have always gotten my through my job and they cant charge more for a disability.

Hope that helps....enjoy your lollipop

Well, Asperger is a condition that is set in such a profound part of the person, its easier for the person to know that he or her is an aspie, than for a doctor to discover it...