Well, so it turns out I'll lend up at the very same place I started.
So my first attempt at getting a diagnosis was to contact the counseling and testing center at the university I attend. When I asked if the do evaluations for Asperger's, they said "Hell no! Go to this other place" (not the exact words, but the gist of the message). I couldn't afford the other place. Then a couple weeks ago I contacted the psychology clinic on campus, and they said "Sure! We can do it! Call us and we'll get it set up" (again, general point of the message). Well, so after playing phone tag for a week, turns out they found out that I'm 20, and their exact words? "Oh, that's hard. Try the counseling and testing center." So I called again, made sure they knew the psychology clinic sent me, and this time they said they can do it, but not until august because they're training a new person.
So at least now I have an approximate date - August.
The city goes to bed, and I can live inside my head...
So August it is then. Good luck!
Atypical! Long time no see! My computer's out of commission again, so I have limted internet access...
You know, a month ago I would have been frustrated to no end that I'd have to wait until August. But now...I don't know, I'm just -so- sure that this is it, that I can wait. At least it'll be before school starts (given it's earlier in August, rather than later). Everything just fits so well, I feel like there's no way that I can -not- be autistic.
Just an interesting little tidbit...I just read something (albeit several years old, so I don't know if things have changed) that says high levels of testosterone in the womb can lead to autism, and this is linked to other characteristics as well, such as ring fingers that are significantly longer than index fingers. So I looked down at my hand...and my ring finger is nearly as long as my middle finger, much longer than the index finger. See, I -know- the big things fit. It's the little things like this that further confirm in my mind that I'm an Aspie.
And as of Tuesday, I can say "Next month..."
And August is also Les Mis, so it'll be a good month
Turning, turning, turning through the years, minutes into hours and the hours into years...
(God I hope it doesn't turn into YEARS
)
August is Les Mis - is Les Mis coming to you or are you going to Les Mis?
(my fingers are also that way - and I mostly am non-aspie) but my sons toes are like that - and he is.. go figure.)
August is Les Mis - is Les Mis coming to you or are you going to Les Mis?
Eh...both? It's going to be here in town, but I'm going to go see it...
(my fingers are also that way - and I mostly am non-aspie) but my sons toes are like that - and he is.. go figure.)
It also said men, in general, have fingers like that, since they're higher in testosterone, and many autistic people come from a long line of people with fingers like that, even if their ancestors didn't actually have any form of autism. I wish I would have saved that link, I can't find it now.
Good luck with your appointment, hope it goes the way you would like.
August is Les Mis - is Les Mis coming to you or are you going to Les Mis?
Eh...both? It's going to be here in town, but I'm going to go see it...
(my fingers are also that way - and I mostly am non-aspie) but my sons toes are like that - and he is.. go figure.)
It also said men, in general, have fingers like that, since they're higher in testosterone, and many autistic people come from a long line of people with fingers like that, even if their ancestors didn't actually have any form of autism. I wish I would have saved that link, I can't find it now.
My oldest sons' toes are like that. I remember I 20/20 or 60 minutes network TV special on genetic links to being gay or president. Based on birth order and how each son born (supposedly) gets different levels of testosterone then the last. ( I don't remmebr which way). (quick synopisis) "They" said: First borns are more likely to be CEO's and presidents and also left-handed. Second borns are more likely to be gaythen first borns. They also debunked the whole toe thing (it was either toes or fingers). My husband and I looked at our oldests toes - he takes after my husbands uncle, not in looks though (even has the same first two names) who was an professional artist and after he was a "brother", and (happened to be) gay and "eccentric" (translation - very aspie). Our oldest loves girls, is very artistic, is very religious and very political and is aspie and has funny toes. So nothing proves anything there. Some genetics going on for sure.
Update: Now the estimate is September or early October...I think. This guy's kind of confusing. h said learning disability evaluations start in September/early October, but then said the university doesn't classify Asperger's as a learning disability. Really, if it keeps getting pushed back, I may just make an appointment at a regular psychologist (I found one in the area that deals with a lot of autism) after I get my student financial aid disbursement. I have yet to get an estimated cost from the university; I saw on the website that learning disability evaluations are $200 but since the university doesn't classify Asperger's as a learning disability...I have no idea how much it will be. The psychologist told me he'll try to find out what tests he can use and give me an estimate from that as soon as he can. This other place I found charges $170 for an evaluation. If the prices are the same the only benefit I can see is that getting it at the university might make it easier to get accommodations if i ever decide I need them (as of right now, I'm not planning on asking for any, except maybe being allowed to audio-record lectures, which some teachers already allow, but I'm still trying to figure out what exactly will help me)/ But that's the only difference, and I figure it can't even be that much of a difference, as long as I have the paperwork to back everything up.
And in other news...
I seem to have come to the point that I've been trying not to get to. I am convinced I'm an Aspie. I didn't want it to get that far without it being official. Really, now, since I've so thoroughly convinced myself, what am I supposed to do if it turns out I'm -not- an Aspie? Get a second opinion? Leave it at that and figure I'm a whole case of crazy, and a hypochondriac on top of that? Ugh. I tried so hard to keep some doubt, but honestly, it's gone. Back in April when I first found out, it seemed like it would have been just as easy to hear "You have Asperger's" as it would have been to hear "You don't have Asperger's," but now...I don't know. I just want to get a definitive answer. I don't know if I can get that doubt back, or how to go about doing it. In a way it's kind of a good thing, because I guess it gives me a head start on figuring out what works for me and what doesn't, but still...it just seems wrong to be so sure that I'm Aspie that I don't know what to do if it turns out I'm not. I know, it's only a label, but still...it's important to me because if it turns out I'm "normal" everyone will think I'm crazy for ever considering I'm autistic. I can't help it though, everything fits so well with AS...
I can't help it though, everything fits so well with AS...
If it walks like a dog, and barks like a dog, and wags its tail like a dog, it is probably a dog. Honey, if you think you are, you probably are.
And no, I am not calling you a dog.
Really, now, since I've so thoroughly convinced myself, what am I supposed to do if it turns out I'm -not- an Aspie? ... I just want to get a definitive answer. I don't know if I can get that doubt back, or how to go about doing it.
It's very Aspieish to want a very precise, definite diagnosis.
Seriously, Eponine -- there's no blood test for Asperger's. It's one person's evaluation or another person's judgment call. I would bet on your own sense of "rightness" rather than on Dr. ****** and his drive-by diagnostic label-maker.
When my hospital's ADHD "expert" diagnosed me with ADD, another psychologist there told me, "He's an incompetent boob. Let me do a re-evaluation." He re-evaluated and, yes, it was ADD. "Even an incompetent boob gets it right once in a while," the psychologist said. So whatever diagnosis you get, it doesn't define reality. It's one incompetent boob's word against another's.
"Even an incompetent boob gets it right once in a while," the psychologist said. So whatever diagnosis you get, it doesn't define reality. It's one incompetent boob's word against another's.
I love the way you put that
And so the circle continues...
After waiting not-so-patiently, I got this in an e-mail on Thursday:
"After discussion with our director, we do not currently offer formal disability assessments for Asperger's disorder"
*headdesk* But...you just told me you do, just a month ago...oO
He also gave me a list of people to try, two of them specializing in trauma and one urologist...not quite the people I would expect to offer Asperger's testing...
This was coming from the student counseling and testing center. So I e-mailed the psychology department again, and this is what I got back today:
"Why don't you give me your phone number and I will assign your case to one
of my advanced students on Friday.
She can call you, set up an initial appointment and you can proceed from
there. She has a lot of experience with Asperger's and that might be the
best way to start."
So finally, it looks like I might be getting somewhere
One more day, one more dawn, one day more!
Less then 24 hours until my initial interview ^^
Best of luck - (trying to come up with a song from Les Mis. that is apt...) but one day more is the best...
ENJOLRAS
One more day before the storm!
MARIUS
Do I follow where she goes?
ENJOLRAS
At the barricades of freedom.
MARIUS
Shall I join my brothers there?
ENJOLRAS
When our ranks begin to form
MARIUS
Do I stay; and do I dare?
ENJOLRAS
Will you take your place with me?
ALL
The time is now, the day is here
VALJEAN
One day more!
JAVERT
One more day to revolution,
We will nip it in the bud!
We'll be ready for these schoolboys,
They will wet themselves with blood!
VALJEAN
One day more!
M. & MME. THENARDIER
Watch 'em run amuck,
Catch 'em as they fall,
Never know your luck
When there's a free for all,
Here a little `dip'
There a little `touch'
Most of them are goners
So they won't miss much!
Students (2 Groups)
1: One day to a new beginning
2: Raise the flag of freedom high!
1: Every man will be a king
2: Every man will be a king
1: There's a new world for the winning
2: There's a new world to be won
ALL
Do you hear the people sing?
MARIUS
My place is here, I fight with you!
VALJEAN
One day more!
MARIUS & COSETTE
I did not live until today.
EPONINE
One more day all on my own!
MARIUS & COSETTE
How can I live when we are parted?
JAVERT(overlapping)
I will join these people's heros
I will follow where they go
I will learn their little Secrets,
I will know the things they know.
VALJEAN
One day more!
MARIUS & COSETTE
Tomorrow you'll be worlds away
EPONINE
What a life I might have known!
MARIUS & COSETTE
And yet with you my world has started
********************************************
First, well I am glad it went ok.
What we did, which was really helpful to us, was to make a list of the things that we considered "different" with my husband and daughter. My husband made a silly name for the list, but it started out small and simple, and then we were at about 35 things, and when we later compared them to the list of "Aspie symptoms" or whatever it was called, they were nearly all listed on the symptom list.
So that may help you. A free-flowing list, just write it down when you notice something.