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I Believe I May Be on the Spectrum... Looking for Advice

P

pymn

Active Member
Hello :)

I have been doing a lot of reading online and I truly believe there is a possibility I am on the spectrum. It's really fascinating how deeply I relate to others' experiences. But, I want to handle this with the utmost respect for others.
I think it could be really nice to have my experiences "validated" with a label. But, I have heard that it can be very, very tedious and expensive to get any type of official diagnosis. I'm currently in college and I am not capable of spending great amounts of money. And, I'm not really sure if I would even take any action after being diagnosed. I would feel less alone if I knew for sure, but that's about it I guess... But feeling less alone sounds pretty nice.
Is it worth it for me to seek a professional opinion in your own experience? What is your opinion of self-diagnosed individuals? Is this something I should speak to my loved ones about?
Throughout my life- I have always found myself identifying with things like anxiety disorders, misophonia, and the like. But, I have never described myself as such because I am not a mental health professional and I don't want to disrespect anyone by throwing around words that affect people's lives.
I just really want to handle this right. But I have never identified with anything more and I think this may be really beneficial for me to explore (that rhymed lol). I would really appreciate any and all of your thoughts. And, I'm sorry if I didn't word something correctly. I'm still new to my research and I mean no offense!

Cheers
 
Hi Pymn! Welcome to the forums!

I'd suggest, if you haven't already, taking the AQ and RAADS tests.. They're around online for free... There's probably a link around here somewhere I'd guess...

I don't see the point in an official diagnosis unless it's going to give you some kind of benefit..

My opinion of self-diagnosed individuals is very high! Being that I am one.. lol :D

I didn't tell anyone to begin with (except my wife, of course). Once we both sort of had a little bit more grasp I told some of my very closest friends (which was really only 2 people).. After 6 months I told my parents (just over Christmas). My wife's parents still don't know, nor do any siblings.. I don't know I'll ever tell them..
I only told people that I figured it might help them understand me, and people I figured would not react poorly.. In short, I'd choose very carefully who you decided to tell.

Just for reference, I'm 41 now.. For years I didn't know why I was different either.. For a very long time I thought I might be a psychopath/sociopath because I could tell I didn't feel things the same as others.. But it never seemed quite right because, well, I still had feelings.. They were just different.. It took me until last year to find how well AS fits me.. So hey! You're way ahead of me figuring it out in college! :)
 
Thank you so much for your reply!

I have already taken the AQ Test a couple of times... I always get a 37 or a 38.
I was unaware of the RAADS test, so thank you! I got a total of 158. This seems to be around where most females with ASD score. If these tests are legit I guess it's pretty probable for me too as well. I always get so hung up on the grey area in the way these questions are worded... but I hope I answered them as intended :)

I'm glad to hear you have found something that fits you! And thank you again for the advice and welcoming message!
 
pymn said:
Thank you so much for your reply!

I have already taken the AQ Test a couple of times... I always get a 37 or a 38.
I was unaware of the RAADS test, so thank you! I got a total of 158. This seems to be around where most females with ASD score. If these tests are legit I guess it's pretty probable for me too as well. I always get so hung up on the grey area in the way these questions are worded... but I hope I answered them as intended :)

I'm glad to hear you have found something that fits you! And thank you again for the advice and welcoming message!
Click to expand...

Well those results sounds pretty definitive to me.. I'm at 33 on the AQ, I don't remember my RAADS score anymore.. I know they always say, "it's not an official diagnosis".. But I mean still.. You know what's in your head better than anyone. I don't think you need some doctor to tell you what you likely already know..

When I joined up here last month, I still wasn't entirely sure I was correct in my self-diagnosis. Like you, I was in "I think I am" mode. Hang out here for a while, and talk to a bunch of the wonderful people here, and I suspect you'll be able to tell if these are people you identify with.. And that will probably tell you more about you than a doctor will.
 
Hi, welcome, etc, but enough small talk. I just invented a new autism test. You are lucky test subject 0.

What is the man on the right doing?

000000000000000.jpg

;)
 
pymn said:
Thank you so much for your reply!

I have already taken the AQ Test a couple of times... I always get a 37 or a 38.
I was unaware of the RAADS test, so thank you! I got a total of 158. This seems to be around where most females with ASD score. If these tests are legit I guess it's pretty probable for me too as well. I always get so hung up on the grey area in the way these questions are worded... but I hope I answered them as intended :)

I'm glad to hear you have found something that fits you! And thank you again for the advice and welcoming message!
Click to expand...

Hello Pimn,

Like Varzar I have not been officially diagnosed. On the AQ test I scored 37 also, which seemed pretty definite. However, due to chronic insomnia I was recently referred to a behavioral counselor and a psychiatrist who specializes in ASD. So I anticipate possibly getting an official diagnosis. At some point you may find that you would benefit from an official diagnosis, but I would avoid it unless it is to your benefit.
 
Rasputin said:
Hello Pimn,

Like Varzar I have not been officially diagnosed. On the AQ test I scored 37 also, which seemed pretty definite. However, due to chronic insomnia I was recently referred to a behavioral counselor and a psychiatrist who specializes in ASD. So I anticipate possibly getting an official diagnosis. At some point you may find that you would benefit from an official diagnosis, but I would avoid it unless it is to your benefit.
Click to expand...

Rasputin,
Thank you so much for your advice and perspective! I too have always battled with sleep :) I hope the diagnosis is helpful for you
 
Varzar said:
He's clearly checking to see that his shoes are clean.. Isn't that how you do it??
Click to expand...

Correct... but only up thru the Merovingian period. By the high middle ages, pointy shoes rendered the practice too hazardous without proper eye protection
GadAbout said:
but why does he need a violin accompaniment?
Click to expand...

You are on the right track.

What it depicts is a very tragic accident that occurred onstage during the second season of 'Aquitaine has Talent'.
.
 
GadAbout said:
Oh, sorry, OP ... this is called derailing a thread. Anyway, welcome.
Click to expand...

Oh no, not derailed. We just took it for a walk is all. But now back safe and sound.

I'm with Varzar on this. We are not mental health pros either. Can't diagnose. Just people on the autistic spectrum. But seeing how we compare in experience and thought process can be a type of indicator.
 
Hi and welcome, I hope that you enjoy it here. Try Jessica Kingsley publishers for a range of relevant reading, including books about girls and women on the autistic spectrum, for example by Sandra Hendrickx, Rudi Simone and others. I self diagnosed after a lot of research and reading, plus having worked with young people with Aspergers and their families.

I was struck by the differences relating to gender presentation and socialisation, for example, all the clients I worked with were male, typically girls and women go under the radar, both due to the diagnostic criteria being predicated towards males, and due to effects of gender socialisation making us less visible, we are trained to internalise our distress, to act out less, and to be nice. Additionally girls and women receive training and socialisation towards social and communication skills that accommodate others.

The brain difference we have appears to be quite hereditable, so maybe you have a parent or other family members who seem to have high autistic traits or Aspergers?

There are plenty of interesting and useful threads here to view, and this is a friendly place.

:swimmer::sailboat::surfer::speedboat::rowboat::rocket::runner::helicopter::snowboarder:
 
Hello and welcome. I hope you find the forum a useful resource.

pymn said:
I think it could be really nice to have my experiences "validated" with a label.
Click to expand...

I don't view my official diagnosis as a 'label'; however, the validation that came along with the diagnosis was worth going through the diagnostic process.

Each to their own - for some, a diagnosis is a must whether there are accommodations to be pursued or not; for others a diagnosis is not a priority.
 
Hi and welcome.
Self diagnosis has been the cause of a great deal of controversy in the autistic sphere. I think the term itself is half the problem.
You and the many other people I know here and elsewhere who engage in the community in full certainty that they are autistic have no diagnosis. You identify as autistic.
Some of us are of the opinion that in coming decades we should reach a point where that will be all that is necessary. We don't diagnose people as being gay, kind-hearted or clever so why diagnose a different way of processing information?
If you were to try to be an advocate, educating about autism and offering experience, then without a diagnosis you would face harsh criticism and censure. You would certainly lack credibility even if you escaped the worst of it. You may also find that lack of diagnosis can be a barrier to receiving accommodations you may need or claiming state benefits, depending on location.
To participate here or on social media as part of the community, and find kinship in other people who think sideways, self identification is more than good enough :)
 
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