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Original poster

ASD/Aspergers as an adult

76 replies

Blaziken · 05/10/2021 11:11

Has anyone come to the realisation as an adult that they are on the spectrum? I have thought this about myself for years. Recently, I have done some deeper research and am now absolutely sure.

Did you get a diagnosis? Is there any point? I think it would help me but I'm a bit scared to pursue it to be honest.

OP posts:
Fluffypastelslippers · 05/10/2021 12:46

I think you can definitely identify as being autistic, even without the formal diagnosis.

No, you can't. You can think you may be autistic but it's absolutely not something you can identify as. You can identify as gay or a goth or similar you don't get to identify with a disability unless you are diagnosed with said disability.

For me, an adult diagnosis brought me so much more than 'just knowing' - it explained my past, made sense of all the things I struggled with and gave me both the ability and legal protection to ask for help when I feel it is necessary.

Original poster
Blaziken · 05/10/2021 12:48

I'm definitely feeling like there is a point to it now, thanks everyone. Covid is feeling like a barrier though. We can only do phone appointments at the moment unless it is something that needs physical examination and I can't get words out on the phone! I'm generally an avoider of going to the docs and this is worse because of the phone appointments.

I suppose I'm also worried that they will say it's not ASD and I'm just depressed/anxious/OCD like before. I don't feel depressed though, I don't feel hopeless and still enjoy things. But then medication did makes things easier for me in some ways. Is this is a thing? It didn't make me any better socially but did help me not get so upset about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blaziken · 05/10/2021 12:49

Thanks to the link to the other thread, I'll read it.

OP posts:
Fluffypastelslippers · 05/10/2021 12:50

My GP dismissed me and said I had anxiety. I waited for a few more years and eventually went privet because I was absolutely obsessed with whether I could be or not (as is common for autism)

Original poster
Blaziken · 05/10/2021 12:53

I have become obsessed too Fluffy and have spent the past few days deep in research. I do this a lot and live with a lot of anxiety. I've also realised I do a lot of stimming! I had never thought about that before.

OP posts:
Pythonista · 05/10/2021 13:06

@Blaziken

I'm definitely feeling like there is a point to it now, thanks everyone. Covid is feeling like a barrier though. We can only do phone appointments at the moment unless it is something that needs physical examination and I can't get words out on the phone! I'm generally an avoider of going to the docs and this is worse because of the phone appointments.

I suppose I'm also worried that they will say it's not ASD and I'm just depressed/anxious/OCD like before. I don't feel depressed though, I don't feel hopeless and still enjoy things. But then medication did makes things easier for me in some ways. Is this is a thing? It didn't make me any better socially but did help me not get so upset about it.

I was also worried. It's natural to be. But they don't just put people into the process, if you are there , then it will be because they think you are.

And if it isn't, then it may well be something similar that you can get support with.

Honestly I felt exactly the same as you do.

If you do get a diagnosis, don't be surprised if you feel you want to cheer loudly Grin

Gilead · 05/10/2021 13:22

Dx at 43, such a relief to know it wasn’t because I was odd or too stupid to learn lessons! I tell people upfront now, it makes life easier.

Original poster
Blaziken · 05/10/2021 13:25

Great to know people have had success with diagnosis later in life. I'm 40 soon.

Just did the AQ test (again) and got 43 out of 50.

OP posts:
GothicaAutistica · 05/10/2021 13:28

I had that feeling too: "What if it isn't ASD at all? What if I'm just a defective human being?"

It's highly common by the sounds of things.

And yes, as @Fluffypastelslippers says, it's not something that you can identify as. You can be as sure as you can be that you have it pre diagnosis, but only a professional can diagnose you.

I personally feel that it might be better if the people who campaign for self diagnosis to be valid instead campaiged for formal diagnosis to be easier to obtain. Not simply with ASD, either. Other conditions too.

Original poster
Blaziken · 05/10/2021 13:43

So what do they actually do during the diagnosis progress? I've seen the sorts of questions that might ask. Do they just sit and grill you for 3 hours? Sone of the questions could be interpreted in many ways.

OP posts:
Fluffypastelslippers · 05/10/2021 13:58

My assessment was in several parts. It involved the early childhood questionnaire and as I didn't have anyone to help I didn't think my own vague memories were much use but it was incredible what they were able to take from so little. I then did an hour phone call followed by a 4 hour zoom because of covid we couldn't meet face to face. It wasn't as bad as I expected and she put me at ease, took the time to explain a lot of my behaviours and pointed out seemingly everyday things as actually being a bit different and definitely down to autism - some of it was a total surprise! I didn't feel grilled though, it was a lot of back and forth talk rather than having questions fired at me.

Pythonista · 05/10/2021 13:58

No - you have an initial assessment which is just
a chat,

Then a few weeks later you have another chat with a different clinician

They then report to a panel.

You may be offers workshops at some point

You then have a final assessment with exercises where they also want to speak with parents or people that have known you a long time. If you can't find someone like that to go with you, there are ways round it.

The questions they ask are nothing like the ASD questions you complete if you do an online test.

Most of what they use to assess isn't from the questions

Fluffypastelslippers · 05/10/2021 14:01

In terms of interpretation of questions that's what they are trained to do and if they ask a question that gives a response that isn't solid they will ask another question to make sure they are not missing anything.

Pythonista · 05/10/2021 14:01

And with the practical assessment you won't know what is 'right' or wrong

You then wait a few weeks and they phone you to let you know and follow it up with a detailed report.

Mine took two years, it may be longer now

Original poster
Blaziken · 05/10/2021 14:05

Practical assessment? Eek.

OP posts:
GothicaAutistica · 05/10/2021 14:05

I was just asked a long series of questions - not for three hours, more like one hour. I had my husband by my side and my cuddly toys in my hands. There weren't any trick questions or difficult ones. The only question I had a bit of difficulty with was "Are you aware of yourself?" I wasn't sure whether she meant philosophically or what. She did say "Don't worry, it is a confusing question." I think I answered "I am aware that I exist and that my actions have an affect on people. I don't subscribe to the theory of solipsism, if that's what you mean." Other than that, I had no difficulties answering any of the questions.

It is important to be truthful, even if some of the questions embarrass you. For example, I was asked if I smeared my faecal matter as a child. I have no conscious memory of it, I haven't done it since the age of about two and I certainly have no intention of ever doing it now. However, I had to admit to the psychiatrist that yes, twenty-five years ago (at the time, thirty years now) I did smear the contents of my nappy. At least according to the stories my DParents have regaled over the years. Yes, I was embarrassed. But my honesty was more important than avoiding some momentary embarrassment.

Fluffypastelslippers · 05/10/2021 14:06

The questions they ask are nothing like the ASD questions you complete if you do an online test.

This as well. The online tests pertain to traits and the assessment will focus on the diagnostic criteria.

Fluffypastelslippers · 05/10/2021 14:07

There was no practical assessment when I was diagnosed.

Pythonista · 05/10/2021 14:08

@Blaziken

Practical assessment? Eek.
No don't worry. They ask you to do some really simple tasks
GothicaAutistica · 05/10/2021 14:08

No, there wasn't a practical assessment for me either. But it was in 2016. Perhaps it's changed now.

Original poster
Blaziken · 05/10/2021 14:10

Ok. I see why it is helpful to have someone else there. It's a shame I didn't do it while my mum was still around, she would probably have been able to help. My dad will just refuses to engage as "there is nothing wrong with me".

OP posts:
Original poster
Blaziken · 05/10/2021 14:10

What sort of tasks?

OP posts:
Fluffypastelslippers · 05/10/2021 14:12

@GothicaAutistica

No, there wasn't a practical assessment for me either. But it was in 2016. Perhaps it's changed now.

Maybe it's the ADOS that poster was referring to.

My diagnosis was done using ICD 10 rather then DSM V so that may be the difference.

Original poster
Blaziken · 05/10/2021 14:12

Btw, thanks for all the responses, I really do appreciate it.

OP posts:
Pythonista · 05/10/2021 14:14

Nothing drastic. You have a chat with the assessor and they may ask you to describe something, that kind of thing