High functioning asd and no interest in a diagnosis.

[coodawoodashooda]

Has this worked out for anyone? Does anyone wish that this is what they opted for?

How do you know it's asd if it's not been diagnosed?

As above if it’s not diagnosed then its not definitely ASD.

I wonder if it's a case of "my child was diagnosed and now I realise I'm on the spectrum, too" or "I've done an online assessment and scored x points out of x points so I realised I'm on the spectrum, too" or some flavour thereof.

I don't understand what are you asking 😕

I don’t know what you’re asking therefore I suspect you think you have HFASD and don’t want a diagnosis.

It’s your call but I’d extremely glad my son has his diagnosis. I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want one.

Worked out in what way? I was diagnosed as an adult. It's helped me to obtain funding at work for support and given me a better understanding of myself.

A lot of things can look like ASDs but are not. Obv no one has to go the diagnostic route if they don’t want to, but it’s the way to know what is actually going on.

@Cheeseplantboots

As above if it’s not diagnosed then its not definitely ASD.

My son has been diagnosed privately but nhs will only accept a cahms diagnosis.

So…… you’re telling me he’s not autistic ?!

My nephews school have been saying for a long time that they think he is autistic but my sister is not interested in a diagnosis as he is very intelligent and what would have been known as “high functioning” so she does not want to pursue a diagnosis (these are her words) so yes not everyone seeks diagnosis

@PumpkinsAndCats

My nephews school have been saying for a long time that they think he is autistic but my sister is not interested in a diagnosis as he is very intelligent and what would have been known as “high functioning” so she does not want to pursue a diagnosis (these are her words) so yes not everyone seeks diagnosis

They don't...

Sometimes though things change...

What cna be OK in school environment, falls apart in a uni envt. Then à diagnosis is crucial-as it means can access tens of thousands of grant (disabled students allowance) over a degree

@BakedTattie But he has a diagnosis, the NHS are just being ridiculous! I’m having a similar problem with my GP’s acceptance of a private ADHD diagnosis.

I was told by cahms they have been outsourcing to private companies over lockdown. A lot of the psychologists who work privately work for nhs cahms also so why wouldn’t their diagnosis be accepted I wonder?

To echo other posters, if you don't have a diagnosis then how do you know you have ASD?

Well it's a thing in the asd community to accept people who think they are asd - because it's pretty usual for if you think you are to end up with diagnosis.
I'd join an asd fb group.
Read the joyous moments everytime someone gets diagnosed - their joy, their relief.
You don't have to but most find diagnosis enhances and improves their world.

Private diagnosis of ASD or ADHD are sometimes not accepted by NHS as the reports are woeful and don't use any recognised diagnostic tools. If the quality of the diagnostic process can't be verified then the diagnosis isn't worth the paper it is written on.
There are a lot of dodgey companies who are purely out for your money and don't care in the slightest.

Who are you asking for?
Is it for yourself or a child?
Would the diagnosis offer any practical difference like access to help with the disability services in education or to make adjustments in work?

I was diagnosed in adulthood and I'm glad that I have it formally on record. i have been able to go back into education with a disability support plan in place and not dropped out like I did when I was younger.

Sorry the above was a reply to @Murphs1. It's not all private providers, just some.

My daughter was diagnosed at 10yo. We are so similar. My dad (undiagnosed) is so sterotypically male autistic others see it. My mum is bipolar.

I am sure I am "something" and have struggled with work/home/life unravelling. But the dr didn't take me seriously. I didnt recognise half of my daughters issues as I had them and thought they were normal...

Its helped her so much to have a diagnosis. I so wish Id known when I was younger.

I know somebody well who works in children's mental health at a highly qualified professional level. They agree that, if they were a child now, they would be diagnosed as on the spectrum but feel that they have probably succeeded more by not having a label than if they had been diagnosed. They are, however, far more intelligent and high functioning than most of us

I actually think this is quite common.

I hate the term "high functioning". It serves no purpose - you can demonstrate above average in some areas and below in others and still be as Autistic as someone on the opposite!

As for not persuing a diagnosis, why wouldn't you? It helps far more than it hinders. People can access all sorts of help that wouldn't be available to them otherwise.

My own DS wasn't "labelled" ,as pp put it (he's not a piece of clothing ffs), until he was 12 after almost 9 years of inconclusive assessments and it's been helpful for everyone.

My sister doesn’t want to diagnose as she feels it will hold him back and he will be discriminated against, he is in a grammar school and she didn’t want that having a negative affect, she said that although they shouldn’t discriminate it does still happen, and she works in teaching.

@IvorHughJarrs

I know somebody well who works in children's mental health at a highly qualified professional level. They agree that, if they were a child now, they would be diagnosed as on the spectrum but feel that they have probably succeeded more by not having a label than if they had been diagnosed. They are, however, far more intelligent and high functioning than most of us

This is what i think. I also think little is known of trauma and it presents as asd where people are more familiar with the diagnosis process.

@PumpkinsAndCats

My sister doesn’t want to diagnose as she feels it will hold him back and he will be discriminated against, he is in a grammar school and she didn’t want that having a negative affect, she said that although they shouldn’t discriminate it does still happen, and she works in teaching.

This.

So what's your opinion @coodawoodashooda?