Aspies For Freedom

I am interested in getting a diagnosis. I'm 25, so maybe it doesn't matter much, but I'd like to go back to college (for Chemistry major) and I want to make sure that if I need any accommodations when I get to school that I can get them. I am in the US, state of Georgia.

- Since my predominant reason for diagnosis is to get accommodations in school... do most schools do diagnoses on their own or do you need to see an official person outside of the school? (college/university level school)

- If I need to see an 'official person', how do I go about finding one who is reasonable and will take all the features into account? I'm female as well, and it seems that can make diagnosis a bit more difficult given Asperger's Syndrome shows up a little differently in girls.

The type of accommodations I'm looking for are somewhat varied. I don't know exactly what troubles I expect, but I know I've had some problems and I want to avoid or handle any future problems in school.

Hi Jader - Do you have a local autism support group in your area. They may be able to advise you on how best to go about seeking a diagnosis.

I don't know, how would I go about finding out?

Maybe this site might be of use.
http://www.cadef.org/resources/georgia_a...ort_groups
There is an option to send an email (in blue at bottom of the page).

Through a search (<a href="http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/">here</a> I found the Emory Autism Resource Center. I think this may be a reasonable place to look for a diagnosis from people who may be familiar with AS in adults. Has anyone heard of this place?

Wow, I am way more nervous about this whole thing that I thought I would be. Cost is an issue, though I'll have to find a way around that because I'm not comfortable with not getting diagnosed. And I really can't stand using phones, I always come across and an inarticulate five year old (nothing against inarticulate five year olds, they just shouldn't try to use the phone for business-like purposes), so I was thinking I could try emailing asking for basic information about diagnosis and cost instead of calling. Does that seem reasonable?

Another point: I worry that I may have a learning disability as well (horrible with arithmetic, maps, understanding graphs, distinguishing left from right, and basic organization/time management skills). Would that affect AS? Should I ask about being diagnosed for that as well? (I do need to have the learning disability possibility analyzed, my question is do I ask if these people at the Emory Autism Resource Center can do it.)