another thread in AIBU triggered a possible light-bulb moment for me yesterday
I am 39 years old and always felt a bit 'different'; socially awkward and I always seem to have an alternative view on a given subject, than the majority.
Ive done a few of the online 'tests' and have come back as not ASD/ autistic. I have always had friends and I dont lack empathy; I have more empathy than others usually and can always see 'the other point of view', often too a fault. This is more apparent with people/situations that I am not close to e.g. news items. With personal relationships, although I am empathetic, I have less symapthy and patience.
My mind is very logical but I dont obsess about details
I remember discussing a subject with my parents one time and my mum got irrate and said, that I was just like my father-why did we always have to be different to everyone else? At the same time, we both replied in rather distressed tones that we didnt WANT to be different to everyone else. That conversation has always stuck in my head and bothered me slightly.
Im posting here rather than the SN section as I want to hear from adults that have ASD/ autism and what their experiences are; not necessarily from the parents perspective
Im ignorant of ASD/ autism/ aspergers so please excuse me if I use inappropriate terms etc
I have name changed for this
AIBU?
could I be ASD???
samesamebutdifferent · 03/04/2012 11:35
FolkGirl - YES! Extremely silly. I honestly thought I would get brushed off or considered a time waster. My appointment was booked about 3 weeks in advance, so I had plenty of time to start compiling notes... I mainly just wrote down keywords as I thought of stuff just to jog my memory once I got in there.
By the time of my appointment my notes were an unreadable crumpled mess due to me clutching them during the 30 minute delay in the waiting room (it was thin paper and my hands were dripping, oops).
The only thing left I could read was 'how does it make me feel' which was in reference to the ease and calm I had felt since discovering all this information, and also the bit that said 'home'. In reference to me got feeling comfortable unless I am at home.
I went in and he asked me what he could do for me, I said I didn't know where to start and I had notes, he said, ok, just start by reading them to me. I tried to explain that I couldn't, it was all a bit of a ramble. I tried to start from the beginning, obviously my doctor knows about my past issues so it was easy to have a starting point IYSWIM. It took me about 5 minutes to actually get out what I wanted to and once I said the word 'aspergers' I must admit I cried a little.
He agreed with me straight away and then I calmed down and was able to have a proper discussion about it, as I say, I am fortunate enough to have a good GP who knows me quite well.
He had suspected it and said he was glad that I was brave enough to approach him as now he can help. I assume this was to mean that if I didn't already know it may not have been in my best interests to tell me but who knows.
My referral appointment is on the 3rd of September, I'll keep you posted.
To be honest, the formal diagnosis is just a formality now for me. Since my GP's agreement with my diagnosis my parents and DP have read books and are also in agreement. My aunty who is a Psych Nurse also admitted that she had suspected for years but thought it was rude to bring it up with my parents. Things are so much happier and easier and things now, very hard to explain. If the professionals try to say there isn't thing wrong with me I think the people who matter will know it's bullshit just as much as I do and that quite frankly is all that matters.
I have just realised I mention my parents as if I'm a child 
. I'm not actually a child. My parents moved to France when I was 19 and I lived in their empty house. They came back 18 months ago and me and DP have lived with them since. I'm 29.
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