Going for diagnosis today

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I just made an appointment with a Psychiatrist in SF to get a dx today. Got to go now so I'm not late. I'm a little nervous, haven't talked to a shrink since my intake physical into the military.

Good luck!

Best of luck to you. Let us know how it goes!

good luck, keep us posted

Thanks all. So I talked to the Psychiatrist for 2 hours and the conclusion that she came too is that I am on the spectrum but too high functioning to be considered Aspergers. From what other people have posted, and from the way she explained it, I believe that it's more a case of her not having met an Aspie like me before. And, unlike the Dr.s used by some others who have posted, She has extensive experience at the UCSF clinic that works with Aspies/Auties. One bright point that came up regarding my concerns about AS being the new "abuse excuse" and what was written about Cho (Va. Tech), is that she was adamant in stating that his malfunction was not AS/Autism. So it's good to know that at least some professionals are clear that we are not that way. As for why I did it, some on this forum don't believe they have anything to gain from a professional diagnosis. Thats cool with me, but I wanted someone more objective than myself to confirm or not what I suspected. And since this was paid out of pocket my insurance doesn't have to know. So, as far as I'm concerned, I'm an Aspie and she is a good Docter who has more to learn.

sooooo you do have aspergers?
YAY
lol ,,,, welcome.,! !! !! !! !! !! !

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Thanks for the nice welcome to official Aspieness angelgirl1224, now I can officially try to fit in!

I wonder if they'll ever introduce another label below Asperger's as many people seem to be going for the diagnosis, they are coming back on the spectrum, but are below AS; something like:

autistic disorder; which can be renamed autism
PDD-NOS
Asperger's
autistic personality disorder

The latter could be there for those who aren't as severely affected [objectively] than the more "typical" cases, but it's still distinct from Schizoid PD as there's the typical problems with nonverbal cues compared to the aforementioned PD.

This is if they wish to keep the labels, which they probably will.

lol velodog your welcome

and yeh they probably will daniel

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Did she mention PDD NOS or HFA?


We are all unique in our sameness aren't we


Thats good.

Now you know for sure you are on the spectrum and have certainty at last Cool.

It seems to me that the Autism Spectrum either is, or will soon be at the point where the best professionals of the NT variety will be sensing how much they have to learn. Also, until today, I thought that NT was a term that Psychiatrists knew. The one I talked to was not familiar with that term.

My doctor seemed unfamiliar with Aspergers and things like stimming, so that doesn't surprize me that people don't know too much about it all. I suppose people can't know everything in such a complex world but its good that autism is being looked at more and talked about more.

I treated myself to a nice meal and really good cup of tea after my diagnosis, will you be treating yourself to something nice?

As a matter of fact Kaleido I deliberately walked the 4 or so miles from the DR.s office to the ferry back to Vallejo to think and unwind and I did stop at a nice restaurant and had Broiled Salmon with lemon sauce, mashed potatoes and vegetables. It cost a little bit, but was well worth it. Also , the overtime call that allowed me to get Dx'ed bought me a Plane ticket to Utah so I can see my Niece's new baby. I didn't even think of the meal in that sense, but you're right. Now that I have removed all doubt from my mind, maybe I can try a more positive approach to life.

Sounds absolutely yummy

All is well that ends well as the saying goes.

Kaleido, the main reason she seemed to not want to use AS had to do with her perception that I was too good at the give and take of talking with her to meet her view of what AS is. When I asked about PDD - NOS she at first seemed to tacitly dismiss it, then later said I could go with it if that would make me feel better. But she did not actually seem sold on it herself. So for that reason I'll go with the Aspie label. Either would do as well as the other.

Yes aspie seems to fit better going by what you say. Its easier to say than peedeedeenoss anyway

I saw another new term (to me) today called Broader Autistic Phenotype! apparently its an even bigger "umbrella" type to cover people who only have one or two autistic traits.