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Question: Advice needed regarding a adult getting a diagnosis for autism spectrum?

(Posted by: teddybear154@btinternet.com on 2010-07-13 22:25:21)

I wonder if any one can give me some advice. I have asked this question once and only got stupid insulting answers. Please serious proper advice only. I am 29 now and all my life I have had problems and have been different to other people. According to my parents I was a very quiet baby and didn't make any sounds or speak my first words until after I was 3 , I could never make friend and always liked to be on my own and play on my own, ( through out my whole time at both primary and secondary school I never had any friend) even now I don't have any friends. I have had aggression problems, I would have a lot of out bursts and would often hit my parents. I have always found social situations extremely hard, and find it hard being around crowds and where there is lots of people, I find it hard to make eye contact with people & am sensitive to loud noises. I hate fire works because of the loud bangs they make and am terrified of balloons in case they burst. I have always lived with it and tried to get on. My parents never got me help or any thing ( they are the kind of people who would never want to admit that there was any thing wrong with there child, but just over 6 years ago after I got married And had my first son, He had problems similar and was eventually Diagnose with asperg syndrome. When my son was diagnose with Asperg syndrome it was the first Time I had heard of it and autism. I did a lot of research on the internet, and the more I read the more I realised that perhaps I had this condition & it suddenly made every thing that had happened in my life and the way I am make Sense. I want to try get a proper diagnosis, to give me peace of mind & to help me under stand why im like I am and to help my family and others understand. I also hope by getting a diagnosis it will help me get help. My aggression is still bad and I attack and hit my husband often when I have out bursts. I don't like hurting my husband and would desperately like help to try and get help to control my aggression and violence. Also I now have 3 children my youngest is 1 year old, I would love to take her to play Group but can't as I find it to hard. Can any one tell me how I go about getting a diagnosis of autism or asperg syndrome and what the diagnosis process involves. I was going to go to my doctors try and get him to refer me to get a diagnosis. Is this the best way forward. Also my doctors surgery is slightly strange they have open surgery in the mornings when you don't need a appointment but are rushed through or appointment in the afternoon, but it is nearly impossible to get a appointment in the afternoon. If I went to see the doctor in the morning I would not have time to explain every thing and would be rushed through. I was thinking of writing a long letter to my doctor explaining every thing and asking him if he can refer me. And dropping the letter in to the surgery would this be a good way to go about it or do I really need to see him face to face. I am sorry this is so long any advice would be much appreciated thanks in advance

Posted by: Laura on 2010-07-14, 02:31:58

Yes. going to your doctor is the best way to go about getting a diagnosis. He/ she will refer you to someone who can diagnose you. Id say u need to see him face to face. make an appointment in the afternoon so you will have plenty of time to explain things. depending on your dr, he might be a bit scepitcal and accuse u of being a hypochondriac. So be assertive. Hopefully he will refer you to a psychiatrist who can make a diagnosis, or at least enrol you on some sort of anger management course. I am 17 and im currently being asessed to see if i meet the criteria for aspergers. it is not unusual for it to be diagnosed in adulthood, particularly in females. Good luck x

Posted by: louise on 2010-07-13, 22:38:48

So from what little I know about aspergers and autism, it sounds a lot like what you wrote. I would try to get a one on one appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. And if you can't maybe the letter writing would be a good idea, since it's probably going to be hard for you to explain everything when you are rushed. I don't know anything about how a doctor would handle refering you after reading a letter you write, but I think it is a good idea. And I don't know anything about the diagnosing process, sorry. Good luck!

Posted by: Boris on 2010-07-13, 22:42:58

Honestly, I don't know! Any diagnosis of a mental condition is very subjective, and based only on what the diagnostician considers "normal ". There are no nice X-rays or laboratory tests to prove that you have a mental condition. So the diagnosis will be made on the basis of what you tell them, and/ or on the behaviour you exhibit. It sounds to me that you are a very articulate and self-aware person, with just one or two problems to do with social interacting. But would this really make you autistic? I wonder whether it would be beneficial to be pigeon-holed into a diagnosis?

Posted by: mercy on 2010-07-13, 22:55:33

Hi, i understand your feelings. i think talking with doctor face to face is better then letter. before going to take appointment pray the god jesus and leave all your problems at the feet of god,ask god to open his way because he is the one create your son. be brave god will support you my dear. before you start any work don't depend on your strength pray god to bless your work. then god will all doors open for you. then take appointment and talk with doctor. all the best. i will pray for u also my dear.. god with you always.

Posted by: Boomer on 2010-07-14, 03:52:26

Hi there i actually have asperger's and like you and am 29 as well. The best thing you can do is go to this site: autism.org.uk/ This is the official site for the National Autistic Society and has a wide range of information on how you as an adult can get a diagnosis: The link below will offer advice on how to get a diagnosis as an adult autism.org.uk/ living-with-autism/ adults-with-autism-or-asperger-syndrome.aspx You are quite right going to the doctors will hopefully get the ball rolling for you as your doctor should be able to arrange a diagnosis for you the only downside is that it could take a while as there are so many people who are waiting to get a diagnosis, however in the meantime you could contact the national autistic society in your local area and obtain more advice from them when you do phone them up ask if they could send you a information pack as it is pack with information on Autism, aspergers and all of the services that the national autistic society provide for people with an ASD. Good Luck and i hope you get your diagnosis soon as once you are diagnosed a weight will be lifted from you.