What if I don't have autism?

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I mean, in all likelihood I do. The psychologist I'm working with wants to make sure, though. It's an old diagnosis and I didn't seem autistic to him; that's fair, I don't seem autistic to anyone. This is all a good thing, we're trying to get me hooked up with whatever help I need.

It did get me thinking though... what if there is a differential diagnosis someone missed 25 years ago? Could there even be? That'd be interesting. I mean, I'd love to not have autism, but having to reorient myself around a new diagnosis would be a major pain in the ass. Helpful, but a ton of work.

One way or another, I'm looking forward to getting useful information; but I'm also a bit nervous about any headaches it may cause me.

Fresh eyes may prove beneficial and a new game plan may be helpful. The hard work will be tough. You are strong and can do it.

I'm confused. Regardless of what the experts call it, won't your traits, your personal strengths, weaknesses, and challenges be the same? How does the label affect how you cope?

I can see why you want another approach, since the current one isn't working for you. I hope you start finding more of the answers you seek.

The older I get, the more they lean towards dyspraxia being more of a problem for me than autism. My attitude is I'm just as messed up either way so what difference does it make? The stuff you've said about your condition and how you feel about it, is often exactly what I'm thinking for myself as well.

I am sure there are other diagnoses out there that do not exist yet. When a condition is not recognized by a lot of doctors, another diagnoses is made for closest match for the symptoms you have.

Rather autism can be outgrown or not, people and even professionals argue if it is or not. Some believe it can be overcome and some others think you never had it to begin with. But then how do they explain your symptoms you had as a child? Some children even outgrow dyslexia, some outgrow a behavior disorder, I outgrew my language impairment, many kids outgrow speech disorders. Does that mean they never had those to began with?


Does a misdiagnoses of autism happen? Of course. I think "real" doctors would hold off on that diagnoses if the kid was having other medical issues so their symptoms could be explain by that so they would hold off on it. They would also do different tests with the kid and do other diagnoses instead.

Once you have learned to accommodate the symptoms, it just seems like a different, not a diseased, way of thinking -- not any worse than a personal taste or type of personality.

Well... after 30 years, it feels like I've gotten worse at that, not better. Anyway, I don't think "different" and "diseased" are mutually exclusive.

What are your symptoms, and are they really so impossible to deal with?

I'm not saying it goes away or gets cured.

Is there nothing you can do, to make yourself more comfortable.

For instance, I dislike shirts with tight collars. I am not looking for a way to cure my thick neck, which is permanently a part of my physique. I loosen the top button without making a scene or asking for special accommodations.

Many conditions in life are like this.

It doesn't mean you're dysfunctional, per se.

Acknowledged. My apologies, if I have embarrassed you.

No worries!