My assessment so far (and a question).

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I've now been to a total of three sessions of my assessment (the first session was mostly a session where the psychologist gave me information about the assessment) and it feels good so far. The psychologist seems good and kind, she listens to me and she always makes sure I'm aware of what's going on. I think she understands how I think about things (which has barely happened to me before). I guess she has met people like me before. I couldn't help but smile a little during yesterday's session when I realised that she knew what I meant when I told her I have to plan everything in order to avoid chaos and that often feel very lonely and somewhat claustrophobic when I'm surrounded by people (etc).

I think this assessment will be good for me no matter if I end up with a diagnosis or not (she did mention that what she's seen and heard from me so far has led her to strongly suspect Asperger's though). I think I'll learn a lot about myself and why I function and think the way I do. It feels good that I'll probably (hopefully) get a better understanding of what's going on inside my head and that we can then use that knowledge to get me the support I need (support in form of therapy etc).

My next session is in two weeks. I think we're going to start doing some sort of IQ test or something during that session (and the session after that). That scares me a little bit. I get a lot of performance anxiety and I'm also afraid that the test will show that I'm not as smart as people have told me I am. I hope that doesn't come across as arrogant. Just trying to express the way I feel.

I'm not exactly sure what I want to get out of writing this post. I guess I just wanted to update you all on what's going on. I think I'll also ask you a question: you who've been officially/formally assessed, did you learn a lot about yourself during the assessment and have you been able to use that information in your everyday life?

rebbieh

EDIT: spelling.

I'm glad to hear things are going well for you so far Rebbieh Don't worry about the IQ test, I was nervous for mine too, but you settle into it fairly easily. In fact, I took a second one today; I was a guinea pig for a grad student who needed to practise administering the test. Since I took it less than two months ago, my results will be skewed, but that's okay, it's not like it's for anything official.

As far as learning about myself, I think that happened more after I got the results: I learned about areas of strength and weakness I had been previously unaware of (thought I sucked at math... turns out I don't. Didn't realise my voice sounds flat and robotic, or that I have a hard time with "reciprocal conversation"... apparently I do.) Regardless of the results of the assessment, the scores you get on your tests will definitely teach you a thing or two about how you think and what learning strategies work well for you. If you're uncertain about the implications of a certain score, you can just ask the doctor. Good luck on your test, I hope to hear how it goes

Rebbieh. It sounds exactly like my assessment.
Your psychologist might use the WAIS-IV, which is an IQ test, that also shows your intelligence profile.
There are some profile characteristics for AS.
Besides WAIS, there is a couple more, that are generally in use for this purpose.
Whatever she is working with, don´t be scared. It is quite fun and she will know how to help you go through it without too much anxiety.
You´ll probably end up with a higher quotient, than you thought.

And, yes....I learned about myself during the first sessions before the test, and I was so surprised.
After the test, we went on clearing all my false ideas about "bad me" and the impact of school bullying and a familylife, where I had been the oddball, - not to mention all the strange personality disorders, I have been labeled with.

I can´t thank this psychologist enough.

Glad to hear those news
I never did an IQ test, but I have the same feelings as you do: I have extreme anxiety when I have to perform and that alone could screw up the results, besides the anxiety for maybe not being as smart as I was led to believe I am.
yes, I am learning a lot about myself, and this week with the psychologist I will start doing some role play to increase my social ability. I think this will help me a lot! When I go through this situation in real life if I have already practiced with the psychologist then I will know what I am supposed to say or do. Like learning the script also I am becoming more aware of the impact the sensory processing has in my life so I am searching for ways to avoid or minimize those triggers.
has anyone here done role playing with the psychologist? How was it?

Thanks for the replies.

I'm pretty sure it's the WAIS-IV I'm going to do. I recognise the name from when the psychologist wrote it down in her calendar. I'm just worried that I'll do worse since she'll be there observing everything. I don't like being observed. It makes me anxious. I think I might even tell her that before we start with the test. Do you reckon she'll let me know how I did when we're done with the test? I'd like to know the result even though I'm scared of it.

This assessment has created a lot of questions by the way. My head is filled with them it difficult to "get rid of them" when I want to go to bed at night etc. I guess that's pretty normal.

Yes, she´ll tell you, when you´re done.
Don´t hesitate to tell her about your nerves. She will be interested in a true picture too,, and as she is a nice person, she will do her best to calm you and give you time.

I took an IQ test in 4th grade and was pleased with the results (not so much at the time, but later when I was old enough to appreciate it). My fear is that if I take one now I'll score worse!

Making progress toward my assessment, but slowly.

I read some time ago, that the score gets better with age, - if you have an engaging job or interest.
A number of older people, who had been tested in their youth were tested some 50- 60 years after, and it turned out, that those, who had had good careers and had been engaged in things, they liked doing, had raised their IQ quite a few points.
It is all about using the brain and keeping at it.