Removal of the "Self-Diagnosed" option from diagnosis status

[Myrtonos]

Part of the profile information on this site includes the diagnosis status. And one of the options is 'Asperger's syndrome - self-diagnosed'. But self-diagnosis is not recommended.

 

[Mathalamus]

yes, because everyone has ample opportunity to get a psychologist or counselor, or anything of the like to easily get a diagnosis, almost immediately.

....that isn't true, and deliberately making out those kinds of people to be wrong and incorrect is quite insulting.

 

[Myrtonos]

There may be valid reasons not to get a diagnosis, including the ones you mention, but there doesn't mean that self-diagnosis is recommended. There are other valid diagnosis statuses for those who haven't been official diagnosed.

 

[Mathalamus]

still, if they chose the option of self diagnosed, but not waiting for it, or not sure of it, chances are, its more accurate than anything else on the list.

 

[Myrtonos]

I don't think it is more accurate. I think not being sure of it is more accurate.

 

[Mathalamus]

still, its not up to you to decide things for other people. let them choose what they believe is the best match.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

I sort of think that self diagnosed people are at least 'honourary autistics'; they can't really access the services in their area for people with these conditions. But I don't see any real harm in their existence if they gain self acceptance of themselves and they're friendly to the rest of us.

 

[Suzanne]

I am a self diagnosed aspie and I would love to be formally diagnosed, but where I live now, which is France, they do not recognise aspergers as real and so, until they change, I cannot get a formal diagnoses and so, instead, I chat with those who are official aspies and the two I am in particular chats with, both tell me that it is CLEAR I am an aspie, which really validates me.

I do keep saying that I have not been officially diagnosed as having social anxiety and yet, no one has ever asked if I have been professionally diagnosed and surprising, despite how my husband is usually, even he argues that come on, many can't get a diagnoses of something, but should that stop them from being acknowledged?

I spoke to a female who thought she had aspergers and as we chatted, it became clear to me that she has not got aspergers. There is just a different quality about us aspies. Also my good female friend on here says she was chatting with this same person ( no names mentioned, but we just knew it was the same one) and she agreed that no way was she an aspie.

I did feel like a fraud at first, but do not anymore.

 

[Warmheart]

For all the many Aspies without access to professionals, testing, and that resulting piece of paper...

I'm glad you are here.

This is a supportive community without elitism.

 

[Peatsmoke]

It's often very difficult to get a diagnosis - it depends where you live, how up-to-date the professionals in your area are, how much time and/or money you have, and, quite often, simply if you're lucky or not. Getting a diagnosis of anything related to the mind is a bit hit-and-miss at best, and a total crapshoot at worst - remember the Rosenhan experiment?

If someone believes, after doing some research, that they display aspie traits, that seems like at least a good starting point. If "officially diagnosed" aspies tell them the same thing, then it's even more certain. If the person displays/displayed classically autie behaviours now or as a child, well, that clinches it, surely?

 

[toothless]

For all the many Aspies without access to professionals, testing, and that resulting piece of paper...

I'm glad you are here.

This is a supportive community without elitism.

thankyou for stating that warmheart,if we want to be inclusive and supportive we need to make sure we include those who are in the same position most aspies were/are at one point-ie self diagnosed,you cant isolate and single out a group of people for being different,what does that say about us when we have had that crap our whole lives?
self diagnosed autistics need support,theyve suddenly found themselves in a position where they have a name for what they have felt their whole life and they need help to come to terms with it,dont be elitist because youve got a diagnosis and they havent-that to me is childish.

 

[Myrtonos]

It's often very difficult to get a diagnosis - it depends where you live, how up-to-date the professionals in your area are, how much time and/or money you have, and, quite often, simply if you're lucky or not. Getting a diagnosis of anything related to the mind is a bit hit-and-miss at best, and a total crapshoot at worst - remember the Rosenhan experiment?

Well, there are often ways around it. If you can't get it in your own country, you may be able to get it in a nearby country. And there are ways of funding it. I rated the post as informative because of that link.

If someone believes, after doing some research, that they display aspie traits, that seems like at least a good starting point. If "officially diagnosed" aspies tell them the same thing, then it's even more certain. If the person displays/displayed classically autie behaviours now or as a child, well, that clinches it, surely?

In that case, either they might as well be not sure if they have it, or awaiting a diagnosis. But one does not need to meet the criteria to post here.

 

[Peatsmoke]

I'd add that many people may simply not have enough energy to get a diagnosis - there's a lot of chasing around and jumping through hoops involved.

Also, I agree completely with Warmheart and toothless - we shouldn't be discriminating against people just because they don't fulfil some set of official criteria (which tend to change anyway) - just because they don't have a piece of paper, in fact. We need to support people, not judge them.

 

[Myrtonos]

I don't think we are. I'm just saying they might as well be not sure they have it.

 

[Allicat]

Myrtonos: Keep in mind the "self diagnosis" option on here is not a formal, medical diagnosis. Speaking for myself, if someone finds they have the hallmarks of a spectrum disorder but don't have a piece of paper stating such, self diagnosed is a good way to let others know where they stand.

My 12 year old was diagnosed just recently. He SHOULD have been dx HFA/Aspergers at age 5, when we first brought him to the first neurologist because I knew then he was on the spectrum, but because I had worked so hard to help him deal with his sensory and social issues (not 100% successful mind you), he didn't quite fit the criteria; he wound up with an ADHD dx instead. And it became clear pretty quickly that addressing his issues from an ADHD point of view wasn't working; I learned to meet with his teachers before school started to suggest they deal with him as a kid on the spectrum. Those that did were able to connect with him in a meaningful way.

So he wasn't technically self diagnosed since I was the one who figured it out but all the same, we knew. And learned to let those who interacted with him know. It took 3 neuros and 7 years to finally have a medical professional see what we saw. Note, we have health insurance and live in a country with a decent understanding of autism. If it was that difficult and lengthy to get a correct medical diagnosis here, getting a correct medical diagnosis in a country with a more limited understanding of autism (especially if one isn't obviously affected), or without the finances to see a specialist can be near impossible. Most of the folk here with "self diagnosed" are in those type of situations. Offering the "self diagnosed" option is a good way to include them as part of this community, without dealing with the struggles many have to go thru to get a diagnosis in more formal, medical settings.

 

[nowwhat]

I don't think we are. I'm just saying they might as well be not sure they have it.

Im sure. Absolutely. And I have no professional diagnosis. Deal with it. Or don't.

 

[SpaceCadet]

After my official diagnosis, my attitude about pretty much EVERYTHING changed. And still hasn't completely settled down. But I can understand someone "knowing" - at least sometimes.

 

[Myrtonos]

Here's a thought. How about renaming the option in question 'suspected ASD'?

Say you can't afford the diagnosis but someone who once bullied you can, and you somehow prove they once bullied you. Get them to pay for the diagnosis as compensation.

 

[Guppyfry]

Many of us self-diagnosed, then went on to get an official diagnosis just for validation. I can tell you that after a life-time of knowing that there was something different about myself, and searching for answers, reading about Asperger's rang ALL the bells. There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that I was on the Autistic spectrum. I pursued an official diagnosis just because I could.

Growing up on the spectrum, our life experiences are constantly being de-valued, and society tells us that our very way of existing, thinking, feeling is somehow "wrong". Let's not draw lines between the officially diagnosed and the self-diagnosed - doesn't make one any less on the spectrum.

 

[MrSpock]

Myrtonos, in what way does this negatively affect you? In what way does this negatively affect anyone? Whereas the people who have posted disagreeing with you have given good reason why the status quo is a good thing you have yet to substantiate your position with anything meaningful.

As for your suggestion that people seek former bullies so that they can bully the former bullies into paying for a diagnosis, this is an obvious clutching at straws. This tells me that you KNOW you have nothing meaningful to say, or you would have said it instead of making such a ridiculous statement.