Quote:
Originally Posted by Favorite Jeans
Does it really change anything if they conclude that you have an ASD? Maybe just the way you understand yourself?
It seems like if you're missing skills that would like to have, you could work on developing/learning those skills with or without the diagnosis. If you are having difficulty with certain situations you need to learn how to deal with them or minimize the fallout of avoiding them--that's true with or without ASD.
I don't know if there are ways that a diagnosis would offer you specific accommodations in a workplace or other key environment? Disability support? That could be a benefit.
My thought is: if this diagnosis makes you feel bad, don't pursue unless you clearly have something to gain by having this label. I wouldn't submit to a battery of tests just because they exist and could be done.
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Hi Favorite Jeans,
Would it change anything? I think that's why I am posting- trying to figure out where I want to go with this development....I am feeling ambivilant about it.
The pros- I have known something has been different about me for quite sometime. A positive benefit of knowing if I have it is, maybe, peace of mind...giving a name to the issue I am fighting against...
Susan Boyle, an extraordinary singer on the spectrum, was diagnosed later in life...like me. She has said about her recent diagnosis of Aspergers (or being on the spectrum):
"She insists the new Asperger's diagnosis neither defines nor confines her. 'It will not make any difference to my life. It's just a condition that I have to live with and work through.' She hopes, though, that it will lead to people showing greater empathy and understanding towards her and her condition.
'I think people will treat me better because they will have a much greater understanding of who I am and why I do the things I do.'"
A positive could be as Susan Boyle observed- perhaps people will show greater "understanding of who I am and why I do the things I do."
So I see there are a few positives.
But I am asking myself...what else would it mean for me...what else would I do with the information...would it even be an issue I would want to share with my family? I'm not sure yet. I'm thinking about it.
Yes, it would help me make sense of things but I am also feeling a little sad for a few reasons.
I am still in the information-gathering stage. About the tests...T says there is more than one test. I need to find out more them....what they entail. Who would give them and when.
About disability- I am already on disability, but you made a good point about a diagnosis possibly being helpful with that.
I have asked T, if I am diagnosed with this...would she still be my T? Would she refer me away? She said, "No! I will not refer you! I have never had the thought in my mind."
I guess I am looking at the spectrum from a new perspective...and wondering about things.
Adding: Thank you for your comments...they are helping me organize my thoughts about it.
