Aspies For Freedom

It has helped me personally to be diagnosed officially, but not in a practical sense. It helped me to accept myself more and not be so self critical.

Well since there is no unofficial diagnosis by a professional listed as an option I can't really fully vote. Prior to May of this year, I was simply self-diagnosed but in May I was told by an expert in Autism and all, that she said I do fit Aspergers Syndrome by the DSM-IV. I've chosen to keep the diagnosis for mental health charts for a few reasons, uncertainty of how it's affect employment as well as potential custody issues that could arise. I'm a mother of 2 children (one HFA and one NT) and I don't really want their father to have a case against me and see my oldest son in a family that doesn't accept him him. His father has a hard enough time, I don't need my son with an NT family that blames me for all his problems too.

So in some ways, I guess you could call my diagnosis a hybrid... mixture between official as it was recognized by a professional but unofficial where it's not on my records.

Same here.  Four people in my family have been unofficially diagnosed (by teachers and/or psychologists).  In addition to avoiding discrimination, we also believe that the hereditary traits of a minority group should not be "diagnosed" as a disorder.

So I didn't vote either.

I was officially diagnosed with Asperger's as an adult within the last year, and in a way, it was no surprise as I knew all along.

I'm not seeking any official diagnosis for a number of reasons. Firstly I think in the city where I live that if I saw some professional about a diagnosis I could be told I'm not AS. I don't believe I'm that far into the autism spectrum, I don't think I'm obviously different till people get to know me, and I doubt the ability of professionals to pick a case of AS like mine. I have little faith in the ability of doctors etc, so a professional opinion wouldn't resolve any doubts that I might have or change the way I feel.

Secondly, I have been advised to stay right away from the mental health system by people who have had dealings with it. My trusted family doctor seems to be trying to steer me away from discussing matters of relevance to DSM conditions. He avoids eye contact a lot. Unless someone could guarantee that I will lose no rights nor be discriminated against due to being diagnosed, I'm not going near it. I have kids.

Thirdly, I honestly don't think the notion of psychiatric or disability diagnosis is suitable or appropriate, at least in my case. I know that aspies often have conditions that are a disability or a hindrance, such as dyspraxia, speech problems, face-blindness, sensory issues, CAPD etc, but I don't have any of those things badly enough for it to be a big deal. I believe if I told people that I thought I was autistic that would be more of a confusion than an aid to understanding.

Fourthly, I can't see any advantage to getting a diagnosis. I wouldn't disclose in an employment situation. Why give people something that they can use against you? These days I try to avoid situations that "push my limits", which means I don't have lots of failures that need to be explained.
I just tell people that I hate doing some things, or being in certain situations. My husband and kids and some family members definitely have autistic traits or are blatantly unusual, and they are the crowd that I feel that I belong with, and that's what really matters to me.

My daughter was officially dx'd AS several years ago and from the testing and other info, it was pretty clear I had it as well.  But, since I would gain no benefit from formal testing and Dx.  I have stayed unofficial.

Peace

Hi Velvet Elvis, I can't tell how the doctor meant it, in situations like that I have learnt to ask if I'm not sure, as otherwise it meant hours of painstaking wondering and guessing for me.

When you next see him ask him what he meant, if he agrees, and whether he can official dx you.

And welcome to AFF
:smile:

Velvet Elvis, I'm sure you can deal with your doctor quite effectively. I wonder though, has this doctor given you a written report to document your Asperger's? It seems to me that the actual written documentation is what we pay the big bucks for.  The fact that he just agreed with you verbally in a sort of offhand way that you have Asperger's seems a bit unprofessional and lax in his duties.

aaaaahhhh, another bygone era person.  In the 60's and early 70's of my schooling, (1960-1973), there was nothing to describe me in any dx. except for being labelled a problem kid.  "Could be a smart kid, if he applied himself."  "Got a good head, if he'd apply it."

Oh well, I turned out prettty good, made it thru hell at least 3-4 times.
Got written off more times than I can count!!! :razz:

Peace

"more invasive method"

Thats an understatement :shock:

I envy you

What is Amway distributor?

Yes I remember that, my father was one... but he was only semi-successful in a short period of time.

Amway offers a pyramid structure type thing, they sell everything from small household cleaning products to cars, etc. If offers people to be 'self-employed' in a sense but also earn benefits towards getting things for themselves as well. That's the best I can explain it. You move up the pyramid with the more sales you get.

Not sure you could really define it fully as a 'cult', more like a money-making scheme.