About childhood memories

[Dias]

Hi. My question is about childhood memories. I got confused with mixed informations about this topic. Maybe some of you can help me?
I know that for a diagnosis in autism this is an important topic. In my case I don't have information about how I was as a child. I just don't remember anything. My mother passed away already, I stoped living with my father at the age of 4 and my sisters only say I was shy and quiet... don't know what I will tell the doctors when I go for my diagnosis appointment ...

 

[Monachopia]

My doctor had to go on information given by my partner who I've been together with for the last 13 years, but I could not provide information about my childhood and didn't have anyone who would be able to provide those details. It's an important topic to get the diagnosis, but, they can assess you on other criteria instead.
Just be honest, if you can't remember, then say that. I told my doctor that too. He worked with the information that was available.

 

[Pats]

Mine was fine with not having my childhood history. All I had is what I could remember and maybe a few comments I remember - like my aunt saying I was a good baby and would sit in my crib and entertain myself. (I actually like knowing that bit because that's who I am today, then and all the time in between - take care of myself, entertain myself, teach myself, whatever).

 

[George Newman]

I could remember events but not specifics. We did chat for about two hours about my childhood and she found what she needed in the end.

I think what is key here is you want the truth and for that truth to be central to your understanding as you move on with your life. What is key is for that central understanding to be based on the honest truth. Take deep breaths and move from one piece to the next. Be open and honest.

Dias I wish for you the absolute best outcome from this appointment. May you be clear-headed and brave.

I can’t wait to hear about your experience.

 

[Adora]

My doctor figured it out with what I told her about my struggles growing up and she noticed things with me like my lack of eye contact and also I don’t remember what I was talking about but I remember her saying that she strongly believed that I am on the autistic spectrum,my father passed away in 2007 and have little to no contact with certain family members due to the mental distress it causes me but even without remembering everything about my childhood my psychologist was still able to pick up on the fact that I am on the spectrum even with my comorbid mental health conditions like complex PTSD which she also diagnosed me with,try not to stress too much about not having many memories of your childhood because if your doctor is knowledgeable he will still know that you are on the spectrum.

 

[Progster]

This is something that you need to talk to the specialist about when you go, as it is up to them what 'material' they might use for the diagnosis. I do know, however, that it is possible for them to diagnose adults without much detail on childhood behaviour. When I went to my diagnosic assessment, my mum came along with me to the session, and she answered a few questions, but they were mosly quite general in nature. They might ask you for any old school reports - if you have these, you could take these along, or they could ask to talk to a teacher or sibling.

 

[Streetwise]

Hi. My question is about childhood memories. I got confused with mixed informations about this topic. Maybe some of you can help me?
I know that for a diagnosis in autism this is an important topic. In my case I don't have information about how I was as a child. I just don't remember anything. My mother passed away already, I stoped living with my father at the age of 4 and my sisters only say I was shy and quiet... don't know what I will tell the doctors when I go for my diagnosis appointment ...

I had a very short letter from my aunt and school reports from junior school and comprehensive school !which is the equivalent of your high school ,I can't remember if they asked for a questionnaire beforehand !but they asked me a lot of questions!,I had no other family members there .

 

[Dias]

I have a strong impression that if I am in the spectrum my father for sure is to. I am totally like him ( not so extreme) and my sisters are like my mother, complete opposites. My parents divorced because of these differences. My father worked alone all his life, never took holidays, his routine is sacred to him. Always eats the same thing, the only exception is a bit of cake only in a very special occasion. Never had social life and is a man of strong moral values. Gets very easily upset with anything to the point that while growing up me and my sisters would never share anything with him because we knew it would end up in a fight. His hobie all his life were birds and building with his own hands cages and everything he needed for them. He never accepts gifts and never gives them. All the gifts that we give him he keeps in a cabinet and says they will return to us when he dyes...he can't talk to me on the phone because he starts crying because of the fact that I am far away from him. His family is very important to him despite the fact he is so emotionally withdrawn...He is 77 years old now...I think talking go him about Autism is waste of time. It makes me sad to think how many lives are full of pain due to lack of information...

 

[sparks]

I'm self diagnosed but your dad sounds very much like myself Dias.
I've been thinking about this topic recently because my 2 1/2 yr old start his diagnosis this week and I have a lot of information about him but really can't remember much about my own childhood. I do remember being withdrawn and being a loner but that never bothered me growing up and still doesn't.