this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2023
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Autism

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For those of use that found out we were autistic as adults, how did you find out? What caused you to consider that you were autistic? What confirmed it? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago by BackOnMyBS@lemmy.world to c/autism@lemmy.world
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[–] BackOnMyBS@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

When I was reading the symptoms off of medical sites, I felt like I was reading about myself.

Do you remember what site? I'm asking because I had read about autism and Aspergers in the DSM multiple times and it never clicked for me at all. I was completely oblivious. Truly, the only sign about me that I ever even remotely considered was that I really liked autistic people.

Also, I got tested for learning disabilities when I was in school. I scored extremely low in some areas, and extremely high in other areas.

Woah! I had a girlfriend that was a psychologist learning to give an IQ test, so she practiced on me. When she looked at my results, she said that my scores were indicative of ADHD, which we both knew I had, but I never realized how much ADHD was impacting my life until I got medicated for it. The struggle is real!

I’m now looking at getting diagnosed, but it is a demanding process. Dealing with wait lists, and checking prices between different professionals, is exhausting. I may decide not to get diagnosed, if it becomes too complicated.

Yes, that can be an overwhelming task, especially since the topic itself could be mentally draining. The way I found a quick autism assessment was to ask local autism organizations for a list of reputable evaluators. Then, I called around to like 10 of them. I found one that was actually pretty economic and saw me within a month. She charge $900 to conduct the ADOS-2 (autism), the ASRS (ADHD), a lengthy clinical interview, and had me collect a bunch of information from my past. Other places didn't even have space on their waiting lists and were charging anywhere from $1.5k up to $3k if I remember correctly. Maybe you could try that if you haven't already.

[–] cogitoprinciple@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Do you remember what site? I'm asking because I had read about autism and Aspergers in the DSM multiple times and it never clicked for me at all. I was completely oblivious. Truly, the only sign about me that I ever even remotely considered was that I really liked autistic people.

I am pretty sure this was one of the main one: https://psychcentral.com/autism/autism-spectrum-disorder-symptoms?c=1504654228509#diagnosis But it doesn't cover all the symptoms I have identified in myself. The DSM V descriptions were way too vague for me.

Woah! I had a girlfriend that was a psychologist learning to give an IQ test, so she practiced on me. When she looked at my results, she said that my scores were indicative of ADHD, which we both knew I had, but I never realized how much ADHD was impacting my life until I got medicated for it. The struggle is real!

I've wondered if I have ADHD - Inattentive Type. But every time I have read the symptoms and done tests online, it seems I don't. The only reason why I wondered is because I know ASD and ADHD can co-occur. I suspect the learning disabilities test I did was an indicator of ASD, before I knew I had it. I'm not convinced either way with ADHD, it's a possibility. But there's not enough backing the possibility that I do have it.

Yes, that can be an overwhelming task, especially since the topic itself could be mentally draining. The way I found a quick autism assessment was to ask local autism organizations for a list of reputable evaluators. Then, I called around to like 10 of them. I found one that was actually pretty economic and saw me within a month. She charge $900 to conduct the ADOS-2 (autism), the ASRS (ADHD), a lengthy clinical interview, and had me collect a bunch of information from my past. Other places didn't even have space on their waiting lists and were charging anywhere from $1.5k up to $3k if I remember correctly. Maybe you could try that if you haven't already.

I may have found one that is good. It's a lot cheaper than the other's I've seen around. I'm currently in the process of asking them lots of questions, because if I'm paying for it, and it costs a lot less, I want to make sure it is going yo give me a definitive medical diagnosis.

[–] BackOnMyBS@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Good job on being picky with the evaluator. I recommend you also evaluate them on how you feel when talking to them. I know for me, if someone professional felt off, I would still trust them in the past because I assumed my judgment was wrong because they were a "professional". That has blown up in my face, so I listen to myself more often now. Thanks for sharing the link!

[–] cogitoprinciple@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

No worries! I will take your suggestion into account.