GARS Interpretation-Do I have autism or not?

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cc3
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 11 Jul 2019
Age: 45
Gender: Female
Posts: 7
Location: Austin, TX

03 Sep 2019, 6:35 pm

I took several tests conducted by a psychologist recently, and after asking for a status these are his replies. I'm still not sure if I am autistic because he did not say "yes you are autistic." I tend to annoy people with my questions so after a couple replies back and forth I didn't reply again, but it's agonizing to wonder.

Also, at my intake he explained that the process may involve more testing than it did, and even though I knew that up front, I was surprised at my last visit he decided to forgo some of the tests. He said it was because he had everything he needed to make a diagnosis and they weren't necessary.

I've done my research so I already understand what he means by the "adapting better" and that some areas scored higher than others - it's a spectrum, I get it. Just confused about the bottom line - yes I have it or no I don't. I know I need to wait for the formal diagnosis, but additional insight/opinions may help me until then.

Doctor: "Thank you for your email, I have been considering the implications of the assessment and the various areas of your life impacted by the issues you have had to confront. Your score of the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale would indicate that you are in the 30% range of the symptoms that you experience. There are a couple of areas that are definitely impacted by the way you interact with the environment. I will get the report done by the end of the week. I will call to schedule a debriefing session as well."

Me: "Thank you. Are you saying I am or I am not autistic? Or is this part of the debriefing session?"

Doctor: "I am sorry, I should have explained a little further, you do fall under the category of likely being on the Autism Spectrum scale. You had some areas of high indicators. You have some areas where you are adapting better, yes we will discuss the results in detail."



Infausto
Butterfly
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Joined: 31 Aug 2019
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04 Sep 2019, 12:47 am

It sounds like a yes to me, but I understand the confusion. The way he worded it is pretty vague. I would ask for a definitive yes or no answer if you can the next time you speak with him.


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Infausto
Butterfly
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04 Sep 2019, 12:50 am

Also it's good to keep in mind that he is a doctor and owes you a solid answer which you can understand...there's no good that comes of cutting your questions short because you don't want to possibly annoy him, which you don't really know would happen anyways.


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Mona Pereth
Veteran
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Location: New York City (Queens)

04 Sep 2019, 1:08 am

I don't know why, but apparently some psychotherapists are averse to getting straight to the point. At the appointment where I got my diagnosis, the "extern" I was seeing didn't want to give me a quick summary at the beginning, but instead wanted to delve deep into the details of the test results first, before stating her conclusions.

My boyfriend has had similar experiences with some psychotherapists.


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cc3
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 11 Jul 2019
Age: 45
Gender: Female
Posts: 7
Location: Austin, TX

04 Sep 2019, 12:55 pm

Infausto wrote:
Also it's good to keep in mind that he is a doctor and owes you a solid answer which you can understand...there's no good that comes of cutting your questions short because you don't want to possibly annoy him, which you don't really know would happen anyways.


This is a great point, thanks. I responded asking him for a solid answer and iterated I understood the need to clarify the rest in our discussion.



cc3
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 11 Jul 2019
Age: 45
Gender: Female
Posts: 7
Location: Austin, TX

04 Sep 2019, 12:56 pm

Also thank you everyone for your replies, they helped.