Trouble getting a formal diagnosis

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Hi all, I'm a first-timer here. I'm a 38-year-old guy, and I've been in cognitive therapy for about 4 years now dealing with depression, anxiety, and PTSD after a mugging a few years ago and some other stuff. In all that time, the question of autism or Asperger's never came up until a few weeks ago, I mentioned it to my therapist, that so many of the symptoms rang so true. A lightbulb went off in his head, and over the following weeks, I took a bunch of online tests (some short, some very long), and all of them cross the threshold of "you likely have Asperger's" or some such. He and I are now trying to get some kind of full assessment done by a neuro-psych, but nothing seems to be moving, like they don't want to do the testing. My therapist is technically qualified to diagnose me himself, he says, but doesn't feel he has the requisite experience in this specific area.

So I guess I'm just writing here to say hello, and to say, well, I don't know if I have it. But I so BADLY want to know, as soon as possible. Are there better/quicker ways of getting some kind of formal diagnosis? I mean, not every symptom I read about applies to me, and some apply somewhat, and some REALLY apply. I think it's true, but I don't know, and I want to know.

So really I guess what I'm asking is, what should I do?

Thanks to all in advance.

Here in Seattle it's a bit complicated to get a diagnosis as an adult. Licensed clinical psychologists can evaluate you for around $250, but if you're looking to get government assistance (like DDA) then their diagnosis alone won't be enough. You have to have insurance, have a psychiatrist, have that psychiatrist refer you to a center that does the actual testing (here in Seattle it's the UW Autism Clinic) and wait for a year till they can see you. Yeah, it's a PIA here.

Recently I did genetic testing from SPARK. You spit in two tubes and mail it off. They're looking for genetic markers as relates to autism. The thing is you already had to have been diagnosed with autism; they're just looking for common identifiers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all this scientific testing can be used for diagnostic purposes in the future. You never know because it's all so new.

https://sparkforautism.org/

Wow sounds like a pain in the ass. I may have finally found someone to do the testing, but it's still not clear. I just need to know.

You have to find a place that does testing. Depending on your insurance, it could be expensive. Mine was about $550 after the background interview, the testing, and the follow-up. But my insurance was 50% co-insurance.

Unfortunately for adults with autism, the focus is generally on diagnosing the kids. I can sort of understand why, but it can mean that getting a diagnosis as an adult can often take considerably longer.

I think the ADOS-4 is what's used these days in a clinical setting? Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong. I don't personally put a lot of importance on clinical diagnoses, but I can see why you would want one.

If I were you I would just call some psychologists in the area, ask if they can diagnose adults on the spectrum and ask if they accept your insurance. If not, you could ask your therapist to read up on the ADOS and then administer it for your curiosity's sake.

The Asperger/Autism Network of New England is a really good organization. Call them or make an appointment. They will point you in the right direction and might refer you
Getting Help for adults with Asperger syndrome
Asperger Syndrome Diagnosis in Adults

Autism Society of Maine - Listing of Support Groups
Most of these support groups do take in the undiagnosed. Another member might refer you to a good clinition.