Proper way to get diagnosed

[RhymthNlove]

Hi Everyone!

I am an adult who believes to have Asperger’s syndrome. I am not officially diagnosed and I want to know how I can officially get diagnosed as an adult?

Many thanks!!

 

[Isadoorian]

The simplest way is: see a Specialist; more precisely, one who specializes in Autism.

 

[Autistamatic]

In most countries you need to get a referral from your General Practitioner first, although you can seek to pay for a diagnosis of you prefer.
If you mention which country you are in we might be able to offer more specific advice.

 

[RhymthNlove]

In most countries you need to get a referral from your General Practitioner first, although you can seek to pay for a diagnosis of you prefer.
If you mention which country you are in we might be able to offer more specific advice.

Hi I Am from the USA

 

[Autistamatic]

Plenty of US members here who can give you first hand knowledge. If you're happy to say which State they may be able to help even more

 

[RhymthNlove]

Plenty of US members here who can give you first hand knowledge. If you're happy to say which State they may be able to help even more

I am from California

 

[Autistamatic]

There's definitely some Californians here who may be offer you some concrete advice once they spot this thread

 

[H-Kath]

Hi I Am from the USA

When I ran into trouble finding someone to get on a wait list to see I contacted AANE:
https://www.aane.org/topics/adults/diagnosis/

They wrote back with a doctor in California they suggested I contact to find more leads:
https://www.aane.org/directory/5358/kenneth-roberson-phd/

One thing to keep in mind as an adult is that they'll likely want to either see school records from childhood or speak to someone that knew you when you were small. I don't know if that's standard, but it was one of the things the clinic told me along with the wait list being over a year. I'd advise asking about wait lists and whether you should be prepared to bring records or a means to contact someone from your childhood.

 

[GadAbout]

It probably depends upon your health insurance. I have heard people say "my insurance doesn't cover that" but frankly, I think you just have to persist. Under the ACA (which we still have) mental health is supposed to have parity with physical health. I got my health insurance to pay for my assessment, they didn't rush to offer but I persisted to make them.

 

[tducey]

I think you should go to your family doctor and see if they can get you a quick referral to someone who can give you a proper diagnosis.

 

[GadAbout]

^ ha ha ha ha ha. My family doctor was clueless on who to refer me to. I had to jump through several hoops to get someone to assess me. Most professionals in the field will say "I only assess children." I ended up with a child psychiatrist assessing me, I have no idea why she even agreed to.

 

[Suzanne]

I happen to be in a country, where the popular opinion is that to get a diagnosis is impossible and yet, I am now officially on the asd spectrum.

How it happened with me, was through my psychiatrist, who got me an appointment with a neuropsychologist. I did an online test and then, testing emotions and choosing where shapes go. I then received an appointment with an expert in autism. He asked me several questions about my childhood and adulthood and my husband was able to verify. I saw him twice and the second visit, he diagnosed me being on the asd spectrum.

Take someone along who can be your advocate. Your childhood has to be discussed, since asd ( as it is referred to now) is not something that one "gets", but is what one is born with.