What to expect?

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Well, after a year of waiting my first appointment is on 4th April (Unless they screw that one up too and have to cancel it again)

I'm a bit anxious because I don't know what to expect. How was it for you, if you were tested in the UK?

My main concern is having to come out with 'personal' things/things I've never shared with even my mum. And being the first time I do I just know it'll make me emotional. I can't stand crying in front of people, especially when my mum will be there seeing me like that. She may hear things that come to her surprise or might get upset herself from seeing me upset. I can feel it happening because when I saw the mental health nurse last month, his very general questions that didn't press too deeply into things at all still made my voice wobble and drive me close to tears. It's odd. I wouldn't even consider my possible AS being that bad - mild. I guess it's just because this is the first, real time I'll properly talk about things.

Well you don't have to share everything in the first meeting & if you want to, you don't have to have your mum in the room with you.

But really you should not feel bad about crying, your profile says your female is correct? I would of expected a male to show crying in front of others to be sign of weakness in some eyes. But then everyone is different, don't know the reasons behind not crying in front of others.

But your a female, it's ok to cry & also you will feel better not forcing yourself not to. Just let it go, don't control it & your mother might cry, get upset. But it's part of opening up & for your mum to more understand. She might regret not been more observant to things happening or thought you were just going through the teenage phase type thing.

You will feel better letting go of controlling it.

What I'm about to say to you is meant to be a comfort. I hope this helps. I'm 47, a decorated US Air Force Reserve Officer, married, three daughters, one of which is deceased, I have Aspergers that is quite noticeable, and I feel, and yes, I'll shed a tear or two. It's no disgrace. Point: people are people everywhere. We all have emotions whether we are AS or NT.
What I hope to convey to you is that it's okay to express your emotions and your inner thoughts. You will find that, over time, it will help you to survive. Struggle is a strange thing. It forces us to cry while reminding us to laugh. It humbles us to insignificance while building us up in a way that we become well oiled fighting machines (life itself is a struggle - a fight to survive). It hardens us like a rock, yet softens us to be sensitve to those around us.

The British have made, what I consider to be, vast strides in the study of Asperger's Syndrome, and the author of the brilliant book, "Loving Mr. Spock", lives in the UK. Having said that, I think your chances are good.

One of the keys to dealing with Asperger's is not so much in curing it as "Now that I know I have it, what do I do with it?" You can be successful and even look at it as a gift, if you can learn to harness it in the right way. Now, that's easier said than done, mate. But it can be done. It requires training, and you'll be in for a fight every day of your life. But the fight is worth it. Use your passion for those things that interest you, and you'll be surprised where that may take you.

My Aspergers has enabled me, by the grace of God, to save lives. I didn't know it at the time. I was diagnosed January 10 of this year. But it all made sense.

Don't give up! Hang in there! We all face it in our daily lives and we all share in this website. You'll find that you're not alone, and that there is strength in numbers.

If you don't mind being embraced by a "royal", as I am a descendant of King Edward I, I embrace you as a family member. My foxhole is open at anytime. Just hang in there and keep fighting. It will, in time. get better.

Longshanks