[puzzclar]

What I'm on the spectrum?! I'm 28.... how could this have gone undiagnosed for this long?! Help

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[Sanosukeskitten]

For some it's harder to diagnose. I was 15 when I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. They told me I was Autistic, and when my mother asked how it went this long without them realizing it, even though I clearly showed signs, they said it was because I was female, and my doctors didn't think due to that, that I could be Autistic.
I don't know who was more angry, me or my mother, or the group home who had to deal with damage control.

But even today, many, MANY, and I mean MANY people are shocked to find out I'm on the spectrum. They expected me to act, talk, and behave in a certain way and I told them that's just not me. If you put my brother and I side by side, everyone picks him out, since he's Autistic and it shows, if they didn't know we both are.

[-jimi-]

Yea, some just don't know what to look for. Also, some doctors have a pet diagnosis they project on others. Some therapists don't even acknowledge autism and think they can "cure" the patient by decades of therapy, blank slate attitude that we're all born the same. Which is a very harmful attitude for those with autism.

I don't know how and for what they have treated you for in the past, but sometimes they just go by the record, if the record says patient must have X then they have X. But you're still young. You can still benefit from now knowing what you have.

[Nike007]

Hello. I was recently diagnosed with ASD, level 1 (Aspergers basically, but I had language delay). The psychologist who diagnosed me said that it was harder to tell in females with ASD level 1. Girls are more likely to only be found if it's severe. It's like the whole AD/HD thing again, when doctors like 50 years ago thought AD/HD was a "male" disorder and females couldn't have it. Boloney! Females tend to show different symptoms than males. Here is some websites that explain the differences:
http://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/gender.aspx
http://www.medicaldaily.com/autism-b...-autism-351218
http://docs.autismresearchcentre.com...ifferences.pdf

My psychologist also said it's harder to diagnose females who are anxious with autism also. No sure about this one.

Anyways, some people are able to find ways to cope with it and "fake it until you make it" type of thing. So maybe you developed coping strategies as a kid and didn't even realize. Maybe you didn't have obvious repetitive/restrictive behaviour as doctors assume. Anyways, multiple possibilities. At least now you know.

Sorry if the top part is t relevant to you. I thought this was interesting though.

Social anxiety disorder, ASD, GAD, OCD, and panic disorder

Lexapro, 10 mg; Ativan 0.5 mg PRN