[AnthonyDerBlaue]

So I know that online quizzes for anything will never be fully reliable, but would you recommend that someone who had got high scores on many different tests for aspergers should look at getting a diagnosis?

Recently, I've been looking into my mental health, and along the way have looked into the possibility of me having aspergers. The traits that seem to particularly fit are the social difficulties; I remember never making eye contact with anyone before the age of 12, and can only do it with a concerted effort now. I also displayed a strong lack of empathy. For example, I once made a comment about how it would be better for the child to die rather than the parents, as the child would probably die anyway without their parents, and anyway, they could just have another child. I could not understand why this would be seen as a cruel comment to make, as it was the logical thing to say, but I didn't mean to hurt anybody by saying it. Even though I now have an idea of what things are likely to be seen as crue, and when I should be empathising with people, I still do not really feel for people.
There are also some other things that seem to fit, and some tests seem to indicate I was well over the thresh-holds to seek a diagnosis. Based on the results attached, do you think that I should look into whether I can be diagnosed with aspergers?

[chelsea89]

It's really up to you. I chose to seek a diagnosis after my sons were diagnosed ASD because I could tell that my previous diagnoses were inaccurate and Asperger's syndrome fit everything I was experiencing. It's generally a long and expensive process, fortunately this wasn't the case with me, but be ready for it. You also run the risk of being misdiagnosed (or perhaps properly diagnosed) something else. Depending on the diagnosis it could effect legal situations and employment opportunities. Just something to keep in mind. If you do go for a diagnosis I wish you all the best! It was the best decision I ever made, the weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders when I got the diagnosis, and I felt free to be my quirky Autistic self vs pretending to be "normal" all the time.

[phaset]

Those test's are meant to be used a screening tool to see if someone should be looked at as possibly having Autism/Aspergers. I think it is worth it if it is going to help you in some way. For me it is helping me feel better about my past (I didn't do this to myself) and also my therapist and doctor to understand how I really am.

I see you are in the UK, so you can be diagnosed for free, but I know some autistics there who are unable to get insurance due to their diagnosis.

[AnthonyDerBlaue]

Phaset, can you expand on the last point you made about insurance, and what you meant by that? (or anybody else)
If I had a diagnosis of autism, would it be detrimental in any way to me, like would future employers be able to find out and discriminate against me because of it? Is it generally considered better amoung autistics to seek out a diagnosis or not, and what would be the reasons either way?

[phaset]

Apparently they did not qualify for life insurance because of their diagnosis. I know that in my country (Canada) people have been denied insurance for the same reason, though there appears to be insurers that will allow it. No one will find out unless you tell them, but for some things, you may be required to tell them. I doubt employers would be able to discriminate against you and they have no business asking any medical questions unless it directly affects the job.

I am not going to say that an official diagnosis is "better". Given the above and the cost to be diagnosed in most countries many are not diagnosed. The "community" appears to be very accepting of self diagnosed people. For me I saw more benefit than not as I needed to know for myself.

What would you gain by being diagnosed?

[AnthonyDerBlaue]

I've had a look at the process for diagnosis in England, and it seems like I would be able to go through the NHS (for free). I don't have much knowledge about "real world things" like insurance and money, so I don't understand why life insurance would be useful and why I would want it?

The upside of getting a diagnosis I suppose would be getting an explanation for why I am like this, and can learn to cope. An alternative is that I'm just heartless and don't care for other people. I don't believe that I choose to empathise with other people, just that I find it difficult.

The downside would be that I have to actually talk to someone to get a diagnosis, and I don't know if I would be able to coherently express myself. It's also that I am unsure that I experience everything associated with aspergers. If you take the rigid schedules, for example: that's something I don't have, because I'm so disorganised and forgetful I simply can't stick to them. I have the sort of attention span where I can be trying really hard to remember something, and then get briefly distracted and not remember about that thing for days. Also with intense interests in things; I can get obsessed with a certain topic, and research everything about it and constantly talk about it, but it usually fades after a month or two. I've never found just one topic which I continuously want to know everything about, which is what accounts of autistic people generally talk about.
Last week the topic was everything about the bracelets I was making, like the exact colour of the wool and the technique I was making them with and the problems I was having. I didn't realise it was odd that I kept bringing the conversation back to this topic despite my parent's many attempts to have another conversation (I had been talking for around half an hour) until they explained it to me. But like I said, there's never been just one area that's been able to hold my interest.

[artyaspie]

Aspies can be very chaotic, forgetful people - I am, for one! With the diagnosis now being all under the ASD banner it can be trickier for aspies, as we don't have a lot of classic autism traits at all, and are often very good at 'covering' traits after years of practice. I think the most important thing is understanding yourself how things are with you. Welcome by the way, this forum is not thankfully cursed with the kind of gang warfare you get on some others on this subject!

[phaset]

As someone who also has little knowledge about the real world, I think life insurance is helpful if you buy a house and want your spouse to not have to worry about paying it on your own if you die. Also it is a good plot device for murder mysteries.

The trouble expressing yourself (which I have) is another clue they can use to help find your problems. If you decide to do it I hope you find what you are looking for.

[rosska]

Definitely worth speaking to somebody about. I'm in the UK too and I just spoke to my GP (about something unrelated to AS which was troubling me) and she referred me to a psychiatrist. The waiting time was about 6 to 8 weeks. When I went to see the psychiatrist she was actually the one who suggested Asperger's and she then further referred me to a specialist clinic to get an official diagnosis.

I wouldn't worry about things like life insurance, only one quarter of the UK population even have life insurance. It's seems to be mostly people who are quite well off who bother with it here, or those who get it offered through their jobs.

If you do decide to get a diagnosis, it's biggest benefit is it can help you come to terms with your own identity and how you perceive things. Also, depending on where you live in the UK, it may open up access to AS support groups in your area. I know I was lucky enough to fall into the catchment area of one such clinic and they have been amazing at helping me out with numerous things since my diagnosis.

[artyaspie]

Originally Posted by rosska

If you do decide to get a diagnosis, it's biggest benefit is it can help you come to terms with your own identity and how you perceive things. Also, depending on where you live in the UK, it may open up access to AS support groups in your area. I know I was lucky enough to fall into the catchment area of one such clinic and they have been amazing at helping me out with numerous things since my diagnosis.

that's great! It seems to depend a lot on where you are as to how much support you get - so we should all move to Scotland and start a commune. I tend to have trouble with doctors, they seem to take one look at me and think 'smart arse!' can't imagine why.

[AnthonyDerBlaue]

Thank you all for your help! I don't know what I'll do yet, but there were some interesting points to consider. This has helped to sort out some of my thoughts about this

[TheOriginalMe]

I score really high on the online tests / quizes. I've reached the grand old age of 50 without a diagnosis and, for me, I think "Why bother?" I'm disorganised and chaotic, but every so often I get hooked on having one thing just so and I'll focus entirely on that and completely ignore all the mess around me. At the moment I have to hang my washing on the line so the items, the colours, the patterns and the pegs are co-ordinated and symmetrical. Whats wrong with that? I'm sure that with a bit of hubris I could declare it a public art intallation and maybe win a prize.

Generally, I've been a fairly high achiever so I've always found ways to mask what's going on for me. I work in an analytical job, where I can indulge my desire for mathematical patterns and, as I get to make maps, I can go to town with presenting information in a highly ordered and symbolic way, which kind of suits me.

Life insurance is just another way for the fat cat bankers to sell you something you don't need and make themselves richer. I don't think a diagnosis would necessarily prevent you from getting insurance, what it would do is give the fat cats another excuse to hike up their premiums and make themselves even richer.

In the UK a diagnosis would give you quite a lot of protection with the Disability Discrimination Act. Employers would have to take this into account in the workplace. The reality is good employers will help, bad employers will find a way out of their responsibilities. Seriously though, job applications can be a nightmare but some companies / organisations have a policy of offering interviews to candidates with disabilities so it could work in your favour. I guess it all depends on what type of career you want and whether you'd rather do stuff entirely for yourself (which is what I've always done) or whether you feel that the world is hard enough anyway so you'll accept what help is on offer.

The important thing is to be yourself and listen to the advice and feedback that people give you. Even when you disagree with what's being said sometimes the best thing to do is nod and "agree". It has sort of worked for me so far, the problem I have is dealing with depression.

Good luck, I hope you find a way through life that suits you.