Aspies For Freedom

Taken from welcome when entering this board.

Maybe I misunderstand - but this seems a bit harsh. I don't feel people use it as an excuse - people genuinely struggle.

I have some thoughts on this. I don't see a bad trend - you add value to this forum. I think those on line tests are a reasonable indicator of aspergers. These tests ask about personality traits, it is personality traits that make up the diagnosis of aspergers.
My aspie score was 136, this tells me a have a few traits - but not enough to require a diagnosis.

I don't see that people should need to get an official diagnosis - however if you are struggling or would benefit from some kind of help then it is probably important to seek out a diagnosis. I get the help I need with a diagnosis of low mood and social anxiety.

If people feel the diagnosis is a right fit for them - I accept that - it's not for me to  question another's assessment of self.

However - I can understand that some people may feel their struggle is undermined by others who appear to be coping so well in the world - in spite of a self diagnosis of an ASD condition.

Yeah -but aspies are individuals, they don't fit a mold, everyones experiences are different.
sorry to disagree.

My car number plate used to be ED33.
I like your cartoon - so cute.

oh sorry, my mistake, I missed the 'non' before AS people. Reading too fast.
sorry Natalie.

I don't understand why you get that impression.
Is is perhaps more of a worry for you that people will think this - rather than a reality?

I have a formal diagnosis, but I feel that those who are self-diagnosed should be included in the AS community.

Tim

Aspergers wasn't included in the DSMIV until 1994 - prior to this very few people about it - it wasn't a recognised 'disorder'. It is really only in recent years that doctors are slowly being to recognise aspergers. They are slowly learning about it.

oh - also - you are a very clever man quickduck.

I find self diagnosed people fine to be in the community, some may not want to continue to go with an official dx others might want help with information or another factor for them is that as now adults they were missed with diagnoses as a child because so little was knowen about thier problem

Agreed; I was self-diagnosed for several years before becoming officially diagnosed and basically got the attitude that I was mistaken and trying to request special treatment. Finding out it was true I have aspergers provided an explanation that my family and I had been seeking for ages.

It's terrible that you had to pay so much for this.

But I just don't see why it should be necessary to do 10 hours or so evaluation - it should only take one or two sessions to determine that a person has Asperger's or related conditions if the specialist knows what they are doing. I think a lot of people are getting right royally conned.

I'm officially dx:d and it was two guys doing the dx and we worked together in a way so I could ask for examples when it was something I didn't understand in the process. That worked for me. The 16 months that has passed since it became my final diagnosis has been hard and interesting. I'm looking at 41 years of confusion and/or wrong learning. It's devestating to realize how utterly lost I actually were for so long time. About personal boundaries. That people had feelings. Paranoia. Being forbidden to defend myself physically. Being easily lead to do stuff. Having no concept of money. Copying other people and doing what they did which didn't work but I never understood why it didn't work.

Janet is away - but it appears she is back. Yah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay around Janet.

The AS professionally diagnosed against the AS self diagnosed is such and age old argument - it's not worth debating in my opinion.

Go with you feels right for you - and believe in it.