Assessment for Autism

[EllieBow]

It has been suggested to me that I may be autistic. I have been asked to consider an assessment done privately through my University. It was someone at the University who suggested this. It has completely thrown me and I don't know what to do or think.

I am not sure why they think this. Other than them knowing I have two autistic children and I'm generally considered weird/quirky.

In the last year or two since my children were diagnosed the possibility of my being autistic has crossed my mind. Especially as there has been quite a lot in the media about women going undiagnosed and presenting atypically. However, when I talked about it with my Mum she says definitely not as I'm way too empathic.

As a child I was frequently described as neurotic and quirky. I've also had social anxiety for as long as I can remember.

So I need to give University an answer about the assessment but I don't know what to do. It's all making me feel very anxious and I wish they never said anything, I can't stop thinking about it and I'm supposed to be studying.

Maybe it would be worthwhile having the assessment done and then you can deal with the result.
If it's negative for autism it will help put your mind at ease.

It is a myth that's autistic people lack empathy.

Why do your university want you to consider an assessment? Do you feel it would benefit you in any way if you had a diagnosis?

I have an autistic child and strongly suspect I have autism but am managing fairly ok in my life so don't see any benefit to a diagnosis. It might have helped when I was suffering horrific depression and anxiety previously but only from an understanding point of view.

If you are autistic would you like to know? What do you think that diagnosis would mean for you? Would you get more help/support with your studies? Would you be able to access therapies or medication that might be helpful to you? Would it help you to understand perhaps why both your DC are autistic?

Autistic people can be empathetic. I have a good friend whose DS is autistic and we were all surprised when he got his diagnosis, because he doesn't seem to fit with the stereotypical view of autism, yet autistic he is. There is no one type of person or set of traits that fit everyone - that's why it's a spectrum.

I've been seeing a therapist in Student Services for depression/anxiety. It was the therapist who suggested it. He thinks it could be beneficial to my self-esteem to understand better who I am. And also I'd be able to access more support from Uni.

I agree to an extent, and if I had the assessment and they said I was autistic then I could see how that would improve my self-esteem as I would be able to understand myself better. But if it turns out I'm not autistic, then what? Who am I? So maybe it's better not knowing and just thinking to myself maybe I'm autistic, maybe that's why I have these challenges. Not sure that makes sense but hopefully it does.

Autism does not equal lack of empathy. Remember that it is a spectrum condition so some people have autistic traits for a, b, c and d and someone else might be a, d, g. For example some people are hypersensitive to touch. Can't bear scratchy clothes. Someone else might be hypO sensitive and not even notice if their clothes are wet or hanging loose. Some autistic people are extremely empathic.

I work with a woman who received a diagnosis in adulthood and she's glad she did. it explained so much to her and shes got the right attitude. It's a different brain like someone can be left handed. Another kind of normal. And she is absolutely lovely but also quirky (in a nice way).

I was diagnosed last year. I've worked with autistic people my whole adult life and I only made the connection a few years ago. It makes perfect sense and has genuinely changed everything for me. And I have ALL the feelings going!

So I need to give University an answer about the assessment but I don't know what to do.

Tell them this. You need more time.

I had similar: I was seeing a therapist who suggested it based on socio-emotional characteristics so I asked for it via my GP & had to wait months in a weird limbo. I couldn't not have it after it was suggested, as I'm the sort of person who'd be forever thinking "what if..." & felt I needed it to inform further therapy.

It turned out I wasn't according to the NHS assessment as I only met one of three criteria, the social interaction one. I resumed seeing a psychiatrist & another counsellor. In a way it would have been "nice" to have had a diagnosis as an explanation for the crapness of my previous four decades, rather than being socially & emotionally challenged for nebulous reasons to do with genetic predisposition/upbringing/unresolved trauma/whatever.

It's all so confusing. I don't know what to think anymore. I definitely have autistic traits, but whether I have enough to receive a diagnosis I just don't know. But then again why would I know? I'm not an expert in these matters.

@idlevice what are the three criteria? And are you happy you went through the assessment? Or in hindsight would you rather not?

@surlycurly what was it about yourself that made you think you might be autistic?

I only really know about the assessment process through my experience with my children. In many ways I'm not really like my boys who are quite stereotypical. My eldest in particular, it's very obvious he is autistic. He is also quite often rude and outspoken, I am not like that. But then I was told by my therapist that women often present atypically.

The NHS assessment I underwent seemed to be based on the "triad of impairments" theory. Look it up online for explanation.

For myself it was the right thing to do. During the wait I of course convinced myself I probably did have it with the help of Dr Google & the relatively recent thinking about how it can manifest differently in females. I did have a plan for both outcomes so if you do go ahead try to prepare how you would go forward either way.

Sorry op, just seen this now. Basically I don't present as autistic until you start to scratch the surface. I found a terrific checklist

the-art-of-autism.com/females-and-aspergers-a-checklist

And it made me cry when I read it. It was so me it was emotional! Anyway I suppose I'd had my suspicions when I had an autistic student working with me and some of his more frustrating behaviour/ thinking patterns reminded me of me. It made me investigate.hioe the link works x

Crikey, just do it! Information is power and the world may make loads more sense!

When I read that checklist or the Tania Marshal one, I definitely feel as though I probably am autistic. But when I look at the DSM V diagnostic criteria, not so much.

I did that AQ test online and scored 34, and 7 in the AQ10. But that doesn't necessarily mean I am autistic, just high probability.

I'm certain I have social anxiety disorder, I also have OCD traits. I've been 'neurotic' as my parents called it since I was a toddler. Or in other words I freak out if things aren't 'just right', I'm getting much better at keeping my idiosyncrasies under control now.

Yeah I also had a lot of 'issues' growing up and through my teens and early twenties. All of which have had their own labels. Or I could just use one for all of them and that's autism. I'm happier being able to do that.

Yes exactly, Autism does seem to be the one thing that covers everything.

I also have dyslexia and dyspraxia, as well as hypotonia and hypermobility.

I'm not sure it's worth pursuing an assessment though. My Mum is so adamant I'm not it would just cause contention. I can't cope with conflict.

I can't see how being given a diagnosis would make any difference to anything either. I'd still have the same issues either way.

I fail to see what your mum has to do with it. This is your life. And she had the temerity to call you neurotic yet doesn’t want you to get a proper assessment of what’s going on.

Why is it ok to have diagnoses for dyslexia and hyper mobility etc but NOT autism? From what you’ve said it’s actually the final piece in the jigsaw.

I needed mine for my own sense of completion. And it has help a great deal at my work. I think these things are so personal that you should decide without being influenced by anyone else. Some people need that knowledge and others don't. But don't let anyone sway you!!!