I think my DB may have AS, do I tell him? How do I help him

[bracingair]

DB is really a young adult, so not sure if posting in the right place, but he is more like a teenager. I really care about and love my younger db, however as he is now in his early twenties, it is becoming more obvious (to me) that his 'differences' are not in the normal range. He is very awkward socially, has difficulty making friends (unless with other loners). Sometimes misses the context of doing/saying something etc. Is fascinated by Hawkins etc, and seemed so intelligent when he took A levels but did badly. I imagine, if he does have as, then it is mild as in some situations he does completely know what is or isn't appropiate.

Part of me feels that if he would have a diagnosis, he would feel better as he would understand and have a reason for being different. But I'm not him, so don't really know if that is necesssarily true.

How can I help him? Do i tell him my suspicions?

bump

This is tricky. I have an older sister with AS who does not have a dx, she is in her 50s now. Ee didn't understand or recognise it when she was younger and worked it out when my DS was dx, mind you, there was no such dx as AS until the 1980s. She has blurted out a couple of times that she thinks she has AS and then it is dropped but is like the elephant in the room, especially with my mum who knows but prefers to pretend she doesn't. I think she would have benefited greatly if she had a dx and still ponder sometimes about sending her a relevant book or something in the post but I don't dare, she is scary when riled. She lives abroad which I think is a way of coping as she is naturally an outsider iyswim. I think there are lots of benefits to having a dx and there are more and more support groups and general understanding. Even in the media you see AS more and more (easier to write and act than Kanner's?). There is a boy in the new Tracy Beaker who clearly has AS and an older one is Skins to mention a couple. Maybe ask him if he watches Skins and what he thinks of JJ? There was also the boy in that programme about the choir. Sorry if not much help.