Lack of funds for official diagnosis...

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Due to lack of funds I have not gotten an official diagnosis. Some here are probably aware of all the research that has gone into my identification of AS. (Please note. I said identification not diagnosis. If anyone has a question about this please PM me. I don't want this to be cluttered with responses dealing with diagnosis/self diagnosis/ debate)

Anyway, my issue is my family. It seems they all know I am different than the rest of them. I tell them that there is a very strong likelihood of AS according to testing (online) and discussions with AS specialists (one said I should be tested). They look at me as if I have grown a second head. I have been telling them I don't want to come to functions, recitals, etc. because I am afraid I'll get sick from my weakened immune system. Chronic lyme makes me more likely to catch anything that's going around. They accept this. If I told them the truth. That I have no desire to come because I hate crowds, noises, humans, germs, children, because they scare me to death and send me into a meltdown which is humiliating because I have to leave NOW!! !! and everyone wants to know why and lays on the guilt trip to make me stay and then won't talk to me for a year because I didn't. True story. Oh yea, I don't care that so-and-so's kid id in the play, recital, pageant, or is graduating from whatever-it-is, really I don't. (To my family this makes me evil incarnate.) I didn't go to my cousin's second wedding to someone who isn't the father of any of her children. It wasn't rational. I'll go to an anniversary party if ever there is one but why do I have to keep buying her things for relationships she obviously doesn't take seriously. I still need a crock pot, people! But I digress.

Without a formal diagnosis, however well I fit all the criteria, how can I explain my reactions to people. My family always wants explainations for my actions/reactions anyway.

Background info;
No psychiatrist or Psychologist in my insurance plan will accept new patients. Been trying for 3 years.
The specialist; doctor+department at the nearby hospital wants $2,000.oo for the process of evaluation/testing.

have you tried in other cities?

They still won't accept it with a diagnosis is my experience so best bet is to use the excuse of your ill health.

$2000! Try the link below. They have lots of listing of psychologists all over.
Psychology Therapists

They have listings of clinical psychologists who can give an official diagnosis. It's where I found mine.

Thanks for the link. I'll give it a try.

kate123A,

"They still won't accept it with a diagnosis is my experience so best bet is to use the excuse of your ill health."

I think this stinks. I just want to be accepted for who I really am. I guess that's more of a dream scenario, huh. I'm tired of using excuses because it's what other people want to hear.

Since you can't afford to pay for a diagnosis, have you tried applying for Medicaid?

As for a diagnosis helping with your family, don't count on it. My father and step mom don't get it. They think I can "fix" it if I will only try. I am in my early 50s, and did try--and failed miserably when younger. I finally gave up trying because it only made me feel worse. That was before I had heard of Asperger's. If it ain't fixed by now, it ain't gonna happen. Autism spectrum disorders are incurable--there is no "fix." Fortunately, there are now treatments and therapies available, but they are more helpful for the young. However, there are also coping methods, and these can help any age group, so some of these have helped me some, but nothing has "fixed" me.

So, if you are seeking a diagnosis to try to change your relatives, forget it--won't happen, so save your money. If you want help from some treatment programs, or just an official confirmation for your own peace of mind, then do go for it. Just remember, even if your relatives receive official confirmation of your condition, they are still going to expect you to conform to the norm, and are still going to be ticked off that you can't do it, and will continue to see that as "won't" rather than can't.

GreyGirl, I'm in the exact same situation in regards to both the diagnosis being excessively expensive with no hope of insurance coverage and the way my family and relatives have reacted to conversations on the topic. I've actually gotten in contact with a psychologist who said she'd gladly email me contacts for the people she commonly refers her patients to for Asperger's testing only to never receive it, despite a second attempt and reminder :/ I guess if it were easy, half the world would probably be throwing their hat in the ring. Best of luck with your situation!

Our insurance will not cover initial diagnosis for adult (over 21) Autism, unless you've been in the psychiatric system with another diagnosis being ADD, Bipolar or OCD as a minor.

Otherwise, sucks to be you.

Their figuring is, there really isn't any treatment per say for Adult Asperger. All the PT, OT etc is geared for 12 and under crowd in my major metro area. Even to private pay for any therapies, there is no one for an adult.

So...you'll see a shrink for the depression, compulsion, meltdowns and isolating behavior, which is worthless because you don't have a mental illness, but a developmental disablity.

We chucked out 3K for Fior's diagnosis, and ate a whole lot of Raman for two months. It's interesting handing over 3K in $100 bills to the receptionist. Just surreal.

Anyway, we had no choice. Fior's employer was going to trash him because of his original mental illness diagnosis, and they legally could. Autism, being a developmental disorder is much harder to fire someone because of it.

So, they have him on permanent disability, and are paying him to stay home. At least we get a check. Fior is now trying to finish up his degree.

Had we not needed the diagnosis for wrongful termination, I don't see it being worthwhile, money-wise. Nothing has really changed, and Fior would have rather had the 3K. That buys a lot of model trains. Lol.....

You could set up an Indiegogo drive thing. A few Tumblr people I know have gotten important medical things financed through that.

This is the exact kind of thing http://stfuconservatives.net/ likes to help with.