I match every single symptom of Asperger's Syndrome, but now what?

[MisterInformation]

I exhibit every single symptom of Asperger's Syndrome that I can find on the internet. I am nearly certain that I have it. However, I don't know what to do about it. I just can't tell my mother. She'll only laugh at me and tell me that I'm stressed out and that I'm just, "growing up." Telling her is ABSOLUTELY pointless. Are there even any benefits to being diagnosed? I just don't know what to do.

Here are links to symptom lists that I match:

Asperger's Syndrome Symptoms in Children, Teens, Adults
The only symptom that I don't match here is, "Having a formal style of speech."

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aspergers-syndrome/DS00551/DSECTION=symptoms
The only symptom that I don't match here is, "Moving clumsily, with poor coordination."

Asperger's Syndrome (Asperger Syndrome, Asperger Disorder) Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What are the signs and symptoms of Asperger's syndrome? on MedicineNet
I match all of the symptoms listed here.

Please reply! I really need some guidance.

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That was my question that I posted on Y! Answers. Here is the original question: I match every single symptom of Asperger's Syndrome, but now what? - Yahoo! Answers

If you'd like to know more about me in general and how I actually got to this forum, you should also look at this question: Do I have a social disorder? - Yahoo! Answers

Anyway, I'd like to say that it's a pleasure to meet all the members of this forum. I just posted this question here in hope of getting (what else?) answers. It would be nice if you guys could help me out.

 

[King_Oni]

HI,

Self-diagnosis is something a lot of us might do first, and eventually end up getting it more official. Does it benefit you? Perhaps. It might be a stepping stone to get disability income, support for jobs and/or education and just some general "special needs" support.

You're mom laughing it of is a bit silly if you ask me. Unless, she's a trained professional and can tell you what your issues are. It is however the truth for some of us that we might run into these situations where others don't take it serious.

As for guidance; ask yourself if you need a diagnosis. Are there any issues you run into that make life in general difficult for you? Having a diagnosis might offer easier access for support in those areas.

Clearly, laws for support differ by country, as well as healthcare and ways to get a diagnosis might vary a bit on age. So that information might help anyone with useful advice on where to go and how local laws and support work out for you a bit more.

 

[eon]

just watch out for the trap of language like the diagnosis and symptoms.

please take a look at my links about aspie discovery and use this info to empower yourself to be a better you.

 

[Pella]

Asperger's does not have to be a bad thing, and the sooner you discover you have it and learn about it and how to cope the better things will be for you. Some things will be harder for you, but I think this one of those things where knowledge is power. Asperger's isn't something you medicate, its not something you necessarily need therapy for. Learning about it in the last month or so has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. If you read about it and it feels right, don't let anyone tell you don't have it if they aren't an asperger's specialist, you are the only one who knows what's going on in your own head, and when you read about people like you and feel validated and less alone, to me that's where the diagnosis is. Educate yourself on it, then you may feel stronger when it comes time to tell others, support is important especially if you are living with others, having the people you live with know where your senstivities are will help to minimize the meltdowns which will in turn make it easier for you to do the things you need to do. But the more educated you are about it, the easier it will be to educate those around you. The general population don't know about asperger's and what they do know seems to be wrong. They have this mold of what asperger's is and if you don't fit that mold they just don't know what to do with it. Also there is this stigma to it and so when parents find out thier kid might have it may not want to accept it because they don't want to think there is anything wrong with their kid, because they think that must mean they did something wrong.

 

[Serendipity]

I'm still trying to figure out why people like to self-diagnose when they could be completely wrong.

 

[Arashi222]

I'm still trying to figure out why people like to self-diagnose when they could be completely wrong.

A lot of people know something is wrong and try to find out. A lot of people start off that way with many syndromes and disorders. FOr example I was told by many people for a long time that I had symptoms of asthma and I agreed. So then I finally went to the doctor and told them the symptoms well I had asthma. SO its a good place to start....its just not the end all and be all. I don't see why you have such a problem with it honestly?

 

[HelloDizzy]

I've known many people to match ever symptom of Aspergers and not have it, so I would definitely advise you to see a health care professional if you want a diagnosis.
The first step is to ask yourself what a diagnosis would do for you and why you would want an official diagnosis.

 

[camdengolf]

i would have to agree. I didnt know it until i met this lady in a mental hospital(wish i could have met her on better occasion) who said she had 2 children with it. I talked to her for like 10 minutes when something happened in the hospital and she said has anyone ever told you about aspergers? I said no, she said you seem like you have it. So then after that i read a book about it, was pretty much the story of my life, but i still wasnt convinced completely, because another doctor told me there was no way i had it. So i went a met with a specialist, they say for sure i have asperger's. And it has driven the treatment ever since. It really helped me, gave me some relief because i knew from a specialist that there was something causing my behavior and actions to be different. It gave me comfort. But not saying its easy. But my point is that I believe a specialist is indeed needed to diagnose.

 

[Bay]

I'm still trying to figure out why people like to self-diagnose when they could be completely wrong.

Some people have no choice but to self-diagnose. Not everyone has health insurance in America. Employers that once provided insurance no longer do so; many other employers are cutting their contributions deeply or cutting hours so as not to have to cover an employee at all. It can cost upward of $1200.00 a month to pay for insurance out of one's own pocket, and that is with a deductible of several thousand dollars. My diagnosis cost over $600.00. I was lucky; it was covered under my insurance. Without insurance, I probably would not have been able to afford a diagnosis. It's a shame that health coverage isn't available to everyone, in this day and age.

 

[IContainMultitudes]

I'm still trying to figure out why people like to self-diagnose when they could be completely wrong.

I don't understand why you have such a judgmental attitude toward people who self-diagnose, especially since self-diagnosis is the best that a lot of people can do. I myself was in sort of the "self-diagnosed" category before I managed to go through the somewhat complicated process of getting something approaching an official diagnosis.

Are you just out to pick a fight with someone about this?

 

[Donein]

HI,

Self-diagnosis is something a lot of us might do first, and eventually end up getting it more official. Does it benefit you? Perhaps. It might be a stepping stone to get disability income, support for jobs and/or education and just some general "special needs" support.

I was wondering about the above statement. I know of many engineers that are undiagnosed AS. I think that if they would tell the world they had AS, it would harm their jobs? What are your thoughts on this?

I suppose it would be good for getting government checks? But then I don't know much about this. I think that this might be a detriment in the purpose of ones life. If one got the checks, and sat at home, then the receiver would never know what they could have done in the world? When they could have been out there amongst all mankind?

 

[Bay]

I was wondering about the above statement. I know of many engineers that are undiagnosed AS. I think that if they would tell the world they had AS, it would harm their jobs? What are your thoughts on this?

I suppose it would be good for getting government checks? But then I don't know much about this. I think that this might be a detriment in the purpose of ones life. If one got the checks, and sat at home, then the receiver would never know what they could have done in the world? When they could have been out there amongst all mankind?

The question of whether to disclose to coworkers or friends has often come up on this site. The only consensus seems to be is that everyone needs to decide for themselves if it is appropriate. Disclosure on the job has the potential to put an Aspie in a bad situation, as you note. As for disability assistance in the form of financial aid, I do not have any experience with this and cannot comment.

 

[Pella]

I was wondering about the above statement. I know of many engineers that are undiagnosed AS. I think that if they would tell the world they had AS, it would harm their jobs? What are your thoughts on this?

I suppose it would be good for getting government checks? But then I don't know much about this. I think that this might be a detriment in the purpose of ones life. If one got the checks, and sat at home, then the receiver would never know what they could have done in the world? When they could have been out there amongst all mankind?

There is a stigma with it, so in some cases it may not be a good idea. But the stigma comes from misinformation. There are cases where someone in a job may need accomodations, like maybe being put in the cubicle in the corner where it is quieter, or not being right under the florescent light that flickers. There have also been cases where someone thought an aspie was lying because they couldn't make eye contact, or thought the aspie was on drugs because they seemed a little "off." Or as simple as thinking someone is rude because they don't engage in small talk and just want to do their work. In some jobs where it really shouldn't be about social skills but should be about the work itself. Disclosure can help because the employer or employees might realize that these things aren't really a problem, and the person can still do their work. But i think it depends alot on the people you work with.