Confused Over "Diagnosis"

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Help.


I think I posted here a few months ago that I was seeking a diagnosis.


Three days ago I got it.


Kinda…


Briefly, the doctor said I fall squarely into being categorized as having AS on my written tests and what I’d told him during our sessions, but that he doesn’t find me that way when observing me in person during our sessions (6 sessions).


And that’s pretty much how he left it.


And I’m not quite sure what to do with that.


I have family members well on the spectrum, including my own son. But I don’t know any adults with AS to compare myself to or to get any real personal information from on this. There were some things that I considered a staple of Aspergers, like meltdowns, that I don’t have. I can look someone in the eye no problem, but I do remember having to teach myself that in the first year of junior high a a defense mechanism against people I thought could harm me (which was just about everyone, though I was not a small child, lol). I’m rambling about this now, but I’m just confused.


Is it possible to score high on these tests and still not be an Aspie? I keep thinking, “Me, Asperger’s? Nah… I don’t feel like an Aspie…” But then, how would I know otherwise…

See what I mean. Confused.

Only way to score high on aspie tests and not be an aspie is if you exaggerate your symptoms and lie on the test or if you have anything else that have overlaps which would result in a false positive.

It would be good in involve your family members and your spouse and I don't know how old your child is but could he get involved too? He can interview them and ask them about your symptoms. I don't know why he wouldn't see it in the sessions, I mean how does an aspie act in the sessions? Are they supposed to rock back and forth and only talk about their interests or flap their hands and never look at the therapist and ignore their questions? What is he expecting to see? I know I can't see Asperger's in someone when I only see them once a month for three hours in my autism group. After all they are not doing either of those things I listed above.

It seems like to me, as adults, many of us have become quite adept at masking Aspie behaviors that would make us stand out. Most people would not look at me and think Asperger's but I expend a lot of processing power around strangers trying to fit.

Trying to make a diagnosis, or dismissing positive diagnostic criteria, based off observation doesn't make sense to me, and seems highly dubious at best. You may want to ask for clarification as to what was meant by that comment, and the implications for diagnosis. If they in fact mean they are going to dismiss all the other evidence and not diagnose based solely on their observation, you may want to consider finding another provider to work with.

The events you describe are one reason why the EQ (empathy quotient), and the tests like it, can almost never be accurate. Because almost everyone, knowing what the test is about, goes into it with a (sometimes subconscious) idea of how, in this case, empathetic they are.

Everything, especially self-questionnaires, is biased. That doesn't mean that you have/don't have AS, it's just an explanation as to why your doctor may be hesitant to diagnose you.