Is there a benefit to a formal diagnosis as an adult?

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I'm in my 30s, and have a 6 year old who has been diagnosed with Asperger's.

Looking back, I realize that most of the behaviors I see in him, I also had when I was younger. They are not as noticeable now for me. whether it's a case of training myself to mask behaviors, or "outgrowing it", or maybe i never really had it as severely as he does, I don't know.

At this point, I function pretty well in everyday society, although I'm still pretty painfully introverted/non-social in most scenarios.

Are there any benefits to a formal diagnosis at all? If I do have it, I've trained myself to deal with most of it on a daily basis... I know why diagnosis and treatment is important for my son @ 6... But at 34, would it it really amount to much for me? (If I do in fact have Asperger's)

I'm not sure it would help much. I'm 48 and strongly think I have Aspergers based on a wide variety of symptoms and online tests. It is too difficult (and costly) for me to seek formal diagnosis. The only benefit would be a certain peace of mind in being able to stick a label on myself that explains my weird life and problems. I only discovered Aspergers a year ago; but wish I'd known when I was younger. However all those years ago the term Aspergers didn't even exist. As far as everyone was concerned I was just a screwed up kid. I've learned to cope with most things now and can socialise if necessary, but dislike doing so most of the time.

If you feel a formal diagnosis would also give you some peace of mind in understanding your life, and you can afford the time and cost then it may be worth while doing.

I have a teen with aspergers.... he seems to have meltdowns in school with a specific teacher ... he gets frustrated and lashes out.... Is it the teacher or something else?

Also how can you take a aspegers test online?

From what I've heard, the only real benefit that a diagnosis brings as an adult is the assurance that you are not insane and that you finally know for certain why you've always been different from everyone else.

If you are prone to depression or anxiety, a diagnosis can also grant you access to therapists who specialize in treating autistic/Aspie patients and who are more experience in assisting you with your problems.

The downside is that your health insurance payment rates will go up and you will be unable to tell yourself that you might just be normal and paranoid when you are 'feeling down'.

Getting disability payments can be nice for those who have a hard time getting / keeping full time employment, removing some of the anxiety and desperation from the job search, and perhaps letting you pursue options such as increased education or starting a business.

In my case the negatives surpass the advantages of a diagnosis, but the advantages would be peace of mind as stated above and maybe some benefits, but I doubt if any.

I don't know.

Getting an official diagnosis helped me know that I did have it and that helped in getting with some psychiatrists and therapists that were trained in that area.

I really identify with what you said about "growing out of it" and masking it. All my life I didn't know I had it and struggled through life with trying to "catch up" with other kids. It got a lot less noticable as I got older....I think. Still have trouble with the sensory issues and communication quirks but I for one felt it was very helpful getting a diagnosis. Mine wasn't exactly costly though......