I got my diagnosis yesterday afternoon - you guys were right, my Doctor/GP was wrong... I am an Aspie
So what happens now? I mean, do I have to tell specific people or anything? I'm in the UK, and I remember reading on here that I'll need to inform the Driving license peoples...but is there anything else?
-K-
You don't need to inform the driving liscence people unless it is something that will have an effect on your ability to drive. Perhaps check with a doctor if you are unsure but I haven't told the DVLA and my specialist does not feel that there is any reason for me to.
As for telling other people - it depends on the situation. You certainly are not obliged to tell anyone.
If you are in education it is worth telling people if you might need extra support or understanding in certain situations as they tend not to provide such support unless you have an official 'label'.
If you are working, again, it is up to you whether or not you tell your employer. If, as above, you need any support or adjustments made then you will have to tell them so that they can put such adjustments in place (this is their obligation under the Disability Discriminatino Act). If you don't require any adjustments then it is up to you whether or not you say anything.
Also, obviously if you need to apply for benefits it is worth telling the benefits people as you may be eligible for extra help such as Disability Living Allowance or Working Tax Credits for disabled people - although this partly depends on whether you feel that you are disabled.
If you apply for a new job, technically, if the form asks if you have a disability or lists specific medical conditions, you have to be honest otherwise if they find out later on they can fire you for being dishonest on your application.
Also, if you do need adjustments to do your job they can refuse to make these adjustments if you did not inform them of your AS at the earliest possible opportunity. So these are the potential 'grey' areas.
Finally, if you are called for Jury Service (as I was recently) you have to be honest as people with certain conditions, whether morally right or not, are not considered 'qualified' for Jury service and you have to be honest on the form otherwise you can be prosecuted.
So, that's all the 'official' stuff that I know about this.
I don't know about notifying the driving establishment. Its not a disease or a condition that precludes driving under any circumstances. Ii even hold a pilots licence. but it is good to know where you stand with the dx well done. Then you can adapt your life to suit without wondering why certain things are different.
Congratulations!
I would like to know why you have to let the drivers license people know? Is that a law there? If so, why? What about the in the US?
Cool, thanks
I remember reading in one of the threads (can't remember which one though, will look for it when I get a chance, if it's needed) that you had to inform the DVLA if you were diagnosed with a spectrum or information processing disorder of any kind but it's good to know that it' not actually necessary unless it would really have a bad effect on my driving (which I don't think it does).
Don't think I'll have to bother with work - they already let me do the headphones/my own space thing without any hassle. But if I switch jobs, I'll mind to note it on the application from now on
Oooh, and the Jury service (I got a letter from them not that long ago, actually)...I hadn't thought of that one!
-K-