Getting Help

Post Reply New Topic

Last month I went in for an appointment at a local autism center so I could be evaluated to verify my thoughts that I have ASD. That first visit has solidly convinced me that I was correct in thinking that I have ASD or Asperger's, and I have two more appointments scheduled this month, with the next being just tomorrow. I contacted the center by recommendation from my usual doctor, but I really only wanted to get an evaluation to make sure I wasn't erroneously believing myself to be noticeably on the spectrum. I went in hoping that it could all be cleared up in one visit, especially upon discovering that the center is in fact located inside a house (it's in an area where it's not uncommon to see businesses in houses, it's in fact right next to an attorney's office that is also in a house). I can't explain why, but I feel very uncomfortable being in any business that is in a building that is obviously intended to be a house. It just bothers me for whatever reason, so it added to my desire to not have to be there very much. Anyway, as I said I have two more visits after that initial evaluation, and I am hoping the visits can be as short and as painless as possible. The thing is, the center also offers workshops to help their clients improve upon their social skills and abilities. I'm not really interested in attending any, partially because I don't want to have my parents spend money sending to classes that I hate/already know enough about. My mother was urging me earlier to look into those classes, but I think she's hoping that a few classes will 'cure' me in a sense. I can act well enough when I want to, I actually have experience as an actor of sorts and most people don't think anything is off about me until they bother trying to get to know me, so it's not as though I need to be instructed on how to go out in public without drawing extra attention to myself. What my mother doesn't understand is that I can't act 'normal' all the time, as it seems she would like. It's honestly very exhausting, and I need to have time actually being myself, which usually happens when I'm at home (which means my mother does not get to see how much effort I do put into acting when I'm out in public amongst my college classmates). Anyway, I'm interested in knowing how many around here have sought any sort of help through workshops and things like that. I wouldn't mind getting a little better at coping, but I don't think that's quite what the workshops at this particular center focus upon, and I also don't want to attend just because my mother wishes I were more outgoing and 'normal'. I'm looking for any input on the idea of attending workshops, or even just the situation.
Also, just as additional information, the woman performing my evaluation also recommended I participate in the workshops, which further leads me to believe that even she, the doctor, detects that I do have ASD.

First. let me tell you that 3 visits are standard and appropriate for a proper and official evaluation/diagnosis. I know it can be uncomfortable but if it was any less I would tell you to be wary.

Second, I myself, did not start with workshops but rather with reading. It was far more comfortable for me to read about ASD/Asperger's and get familiar terminology. After that, you may feel more comfortable being active in the community in an in-person format. But, that's just my opinion.

If you would like some suggested reading material, let me know.

Good luck and don't forget to breathe!

I agree that books can be a lot more helpful. That way you can skip stuff you already know and focus in on stuff you wouldn't have thought of yourself.

Also, I hate to say this, but anti-anxiety medications can help aspies deal with NTs and NT environments. It's awful to think that one might need medication to tolerate OTHERS, but passing as NT really is a huge source of stress for aspies. I have a close aspie family member who started taking Lexapro a couple years ago. I can tell when he's out of it because he gets exhausted from work and friends and family. He says when he's on it things just don't seem like that big a deal.

I'm a supporter of getting diagnosed. It makes it easier to defend your rights at school and in the workplace.