My parents won't let me get an Autism diagnosis

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IndieKid
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08 Apr 2016, 12:04 pm

My parents, and basically every single teacher I've ever had, had said that they're 100% sure I have Autism. But my parents won't me get get a diagnosis. I feel like I'd get a lot more support (I have none at the moment) if I had a diagnosis and I feel like it would be good if we had an explanation for my behaviour.
I'm 14 and a girl, by the way.
Do you think it's best to get a diagnosis or not?



ConceptuallyCurious
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08 Apr 2016, 12:16 pm

It would be difficult to get a diagnosis without your parents' support.

If you are struggling at school then you may be able to speak to someone involved in special needs education at your school or a school counselor about the possibility of them bringing in an educational psychologist who may be able to provide information to persuade your parents. Alternatively, someone at your school may be able to talk to your parents about why this is important for you.

My wife is a teacher and every so often she encounters parents who are resistant to labeling their child and talks to them about it, she also makes sure to write useful information in the school reports (I know lots of teachers and unless they have a reason that they think information will be needed, they usually alter a variety of templates and phrase things as positively as they can).


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Also "probable" dyspraxia/DCD and dyslexia.

Plus a smattering of mental health problems that have now been mostly resolved.


SocOfAutism
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08 Apr 2016, 12:38 pm

You're getting to an age where it's difficult for your parents to see you as anything other than a child, but you're old enough to have a great deal of insight about yourself. So maybe you could tell your parents that you would like to make this kind of decision WITH them?

The reasons most people get diagnosed are typically:
-To access autism-specific accommodations at school or work
-To gain a better understanding of themselves as a different kind of person

I don't think online self-tests would be accurate for you due to your age, so it would be good to get an assessment that is targeted for your age group. I agree that the school counselor is a good place to start.

You could also present this as an option to your parents: You could get assessed, but try not to use accommodations and you keep the diagnosis private. If they are afraid that you will be "limited" by a "label," this might alleviate that.



shortfatbalduglyman
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10 Apr 2017, 10:03 pm

My parents, and basically every single teacher I've ever had, had said that they're 100% sure I have Autism. But my parents won't me get get a diagnosis. I feel like I'd get a lot more support (I have none at the moment) if I had a diagnosis and I feel like it would be good if we had an explanation for my behaviour.
I'm 14 and a girl, by the way.
Do you think it's best to get a diagnosis or not?

_______________________________________________________________________________

in the united states, it is "failure to attend to special education need". parents legally have to send children to get diagnosed. according to Child Protective Services.

according to your profile, you are not in united states. so united states laws do not apply.

do some research and find the Child Protective Service equivalent in England. and what rights it provides to minors under 18.

in the united states, minors do not have a legal right to consent to medical treatment. that includes psychiatric diagnoses such as autism. england might be different. do some research.

yes, it is best to get a diagnosis.

when i got diagnosed, i was 21 years old. the Regional Center only provides services to people that got diagnosed before age 18. thus, i do not qualify. :skull: it's "a day late and a dollar short." :skull: the licensed clinical social worker (at school) had the nerve to tell me "you're funny when i said that. seriously she was condescending and judgmental. which is normal and legal. (Fine). but she was also at work.

quite frankly i think she deserves to get fired.

but whatever.

yes do whatever you can to get a diagnosis. once you become the age that england calls legally an adult, it will be too late to use the diagnosis to get as many services.

:ninja: :jester: :heart: :nerdy: :skull: :arrow: :idea:

get a teacher to talk to your parents.



iliketrees
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11 Apr 2017, 12:51 am

Do they give any reason why?



liveandrew
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11 Apr 2017, 1:19 am

In the UK, you can see your GP at any age without the permission of your parents. Your GP can then make a referral if they think it necessary.

You could also try contacting the National Autistic Society to see if they can help.


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Kitty4670
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11 Apr 2017, 1:36 pm

I don't understand if your parents know about you having autism then why don't they want you to get a diagnosis?



iliketrees
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11 Apr 2017, 3:15 pm

Kitty4670 wrote:
I don't understand if your parents know about you having autism then why don't they want you to get a diagnosis?

Some parents worry about the label defining the kid. That to others their kid will be nothing more than "that autistic boy/girl". Once they see the benefits they may agree to it.