Aspergers

[Jakethekid]

I recently started a thread about my child being unaffectionate and my worries regarding this. A nice poster called @mammabear4180 ( sorry if I tagged wrong, not an expert on this) qas explaining to me about autism etc and mentioned a questionaire/quiz which you could look at online. I decided to have a look and fill it out about myself just out of curiosity.

I have always dealt with what I thought was anxiety and depression in the past and knew i was slightly different to others around me. Anyway after filling it out, it gave my a score of 32/50 and said I could myself have aspergers. Part of me thought " well that explains some things in my life. But part of me thinks I'm just being silly and I would be seen as a hypochondriac.

If you were me would you just ignore this and realise you have come 30 years without needing any help for it or would you go and get advice?

I feel a bit silly about it all really. Sorry if this offends anyone, not really sure how to phrase what I'm thinking.

Any advice?

Sorry, that was in paragraphs on my phone. The app seems to have put it into one paragraph.

It's in paragraphs for me.

Do you mean the AQ test? I score early 40s in that. When I asked for assessment I couldn't get funding for it as I wasn't really impaired enough. It depends on your CCG.

What would a diagnosis bring for you?

I'm pondering whether to ask again because I think it would help to map out what I will need and how to look after myself in the coming years. Especially if I want to start working out of the home again.

Yes the AQ test.

Do your area not have funding for this?

I'm not sure what I would want from a diagnosis, I know it won't change who I am or really change anything in my life, it would just be someone saying "yes you have it". That's why I'm unsure if there's any point in asking at the gps.

I'm quite a home body and I am a sahm at the moment. I do worry about when I do find a job again how I will deal with the anxiety about it then

I think Im just wondering if people have been to question it and we're subsequently advised that they do have it, did not change anything for you? Did you receive any kind of cognitive behaviour therapy to help with things? Was it worth it?

Oh sorry, I see now that you said they do fund it but they dont for all levels. If it only goes up to 50, I'd have presumed you would be fairly high up, although I don't have alot of knowledge on this

At the time it wasn't about how 'autistic' I was, it was about how I was doing in my life. Working, hobbies, friends etc. That well soon ran dry! It's probably more obvious now that I wfh and have no friends or any need to put on a social disguise... It was exhausting.

Hawkmoth
Legislation was set 8n 2009 (I think) called the autism act.
If you have enough reason and indicators to think you are autistic then go to your GP. The law states that you are entitled to be assessed for autism. Fuck the CCG ,it’s your right and it’s set in law.
We had to TELL our gp what the law was and to print it out for her. My husband was then rather swiftly referred. He has high functioning autism. It’s not called Aspergers in the UK , Only in the USA.
Hubby was diagnosed June 2016.we have just been approved by the CCG who move at the pace of a snail unless you stick your foot up their arse, for the min 20 sessions of autistic therapy that he needs. This will help him understand why he feels different, how he is different, how he can learn to live in the world with his condition.
Now, Jakethekid, if you feel you are autistic - on the spectrum- then all of your life you will have been making your own coping strategies. However, it might be beneficial if you get some therapy which helps you. I’m sure I could teach myself to swim but we let an expert help.
It will also help when applying for jobs , protection of your role whilst in employment etc.

So , in a nutshell EVERY area has to fund assessing if someone is on the spectrum by law. Getting help is a little harder because a lot of it is geared for kids but it is there, it will help and it is your right.
Good luck

Women with ASD tend to cope/mask better than men with ASD. There is a trend these days of women getting diagnosed in their 30s/40s, often whilst their child is going through the diagnostic process, you’re learning about all the symptoms and recognising them in yourself.