Today was the first day of my assessment for ASD. I wanted a formal assessment because I don't necessarily fit some of the ASD boxes in a way that would make me comfortable to self-diagnose. As @Nummulite mentioned in another thread, the process of getting assessed is quite frustrating. You often have to advocate for yourself, make repeated calls, and then find yourself on months-, if not, years-long waitlists. And many of the private clinicians aren't even excepting new cases.
Anyway, I finally found a private clinician able to complete the assessment in a reasonable time frame though it cost me $2100. Prior to the assessment, I filled out some questionnaires, and over three 90 minute sessions she'll observe me and learn more about my experience.
I worried that clinicians might not see me as having ASD because I don't have some of the stereotypical aspects and may mask well but I immediately felt affirmed by her. She nodded her head a lot as I shared my experiences and at various times shared how common they were among people with ASD. She acknowledged that I was "affable" and "chatty" but that I had likely learned to mask through trial-and-error and that some of my social difficulties were more obvious over time. Despite being a cisgender male, she said my ASD traits were more similar to the typical profile of an autistic woman (this is the second time I've heard this).
I assumed she would wait until the 3rd session before sharing thoughts on whether I actually have ASD but at one point, she said, "As someone on the spectrum, you should not compare yourself to neurotypical people." So I guess maybe I'm more obviously autistic than I thought?
It is nice having a clinician affirm some of my experiences but I must reiterate how much I've learned through this forum. I went from thinking it's unlikely, to somewhat possible, to definitely. I think there are pros and cons to both an official diagnosis and self-diagnosis but it feels good to be affirmed by both clinicians and others on the spectrum, with or without an official diagnosis.
Anyway, I finally found a private clinician able to complete the assessment in a reasonable time frame though it cost me $2100. Prior to the assessment, I filled out some questionnaires, and over three 90 minute sessions she'll observe me and learn more about my experience.
I worried that clinicians might not see me as having ASD because I don't have some of the stereotypical aspects and may mask well but I immediately felt affirmed by her. She nodded her head a lot as I shared my experiences and at various times shared how common they were among people with ASD. She acknowledged that I was "affable" and "chatty" but that I had likely learned to mask through trial-and-error and that some of my social difficulties were more obvious over time. Despite being a cisgender male, she said my ASD traits were more similar to the typical profile of an autistic woman (this is the second time I've heard this).
I assumed she would wait until the 3rd session before sharing thoughts on whether I actually have ASD but at one point, she said, "As someone on the spectrum, you should not compare yourself to neurotypical people." So I guess maybe I'm more obviously autistic than I thought?
It is nice having a clinician affirm some of my experiences but I must reiterate how much I've learned through this forum. I went from thinking it's unlikely, to somewhat possible, to definitely. I think there are pros and cons to both an official diagnosis and self-diagnosis but it feels good to be affirmed by both clinicians and others on the spectrum, with or without an official diagnosis.
