Hi there, I've just joined this forum and wanted a bit of advice about how to go about getting assessed/diagnosed properly. A bit of background about me..I'm 22 and I'm a youth worker (I live in the UK). I work with children with learning difficulties, many of whom have autism as well.
Since starting my job about a year ago I've started to see elements of my personality and my struggles with the world in the "autistic" traits of the children I work with. As I've become aware of things like sensory overloading, behaviours I know I naturally do but tend to suppress because I know they're "weird" - I've been implementing some of the strategies I use with them, on myself, and have found they've benefited me really well. I'd always suspected I might have an ASD, but put it down to being a teenager and knowing that all teenagers feel awkward.

As I became an adult, I thought "I might have an ASD, but it wouldn't benefit me to get a label put on it." Now though, I'm finding it harder to cope and feel more like I need an answer and some validity to how I'm feeling. I wonder if anyone felt like this when they got diagnosed?
I'm planning on taking my partner along to speak to my doctor..but I'm worried because she knows me quite well. I don't think I come across as what most people think an autistic person is like. and I don't know if she'll believe me. It's more what goes on inside my head which I find really hard to articulate. I've made a list and my partner will back me up, and I've come up with a few descriptions which describe how I feel as best as I can manage, but I wanted to ask what the process is for getting a diagnosis/assessment? So that I know exactly what to tell the doctor to do. I assume it's just that I need a referral to mental health/psych?

Dont think you should try to implant anything in the doctors mind by suggesting that you are Autie.

Welcome to AFF

Are you interested in services or the peace of mind from a DX?  

If you're interested in services, cognitive behavioral therapy is used, but beyond that there's not much else really.  I suppose you could go to an occupational therapist for sensory integration therapy.  Both are costly but do not necessarily require a DX.  CBT is particularly effective in treating AS in adults, I don't know about other ASDs.  If you are looking to get government services, such as disability, it may help, but it sounds like you're able to work.  

If you're just looking for peace of mind, there can be some relief in knowing what it is that makes you different, but many self-DX individuals have the same experience.  

Keep in mind that a DX can prevent you from certain things in the future, like adopting.  It depends on where you live.

If you contact the National Autistic Society (NAS) they will be able to provide information, which you can give your GP, about who you need to be referred to for an assessment.  

When you meet with your GP you should go prepared with information about ASDs and examples of how you believe you meet the criteria and should be referred for assessment.

My bf and I both have AS, so he gives some support.
But before you decide whether or not to go to a doctor, you should get the support of your gf or your family.

If you need to know, you need to know.

This post was last modified: 07-23-2012 03:40 AM by cluenobody.

I don't want to highjack this thread, but I won't be able to adopt a kid because of my DX that I got at the age of two/three years old? :'( I didn't know my state was that unjust, then again they give custody of a kid to just about anybody that is breathing (and function-able).

I do apologize for highjacking this thread.

@ Forgotten Mist: I know exactly what you mean. In my town, they were crooked as all get out until a baby ended up ￳dyi￳ng. Now, they're snatching up babies left and right because they don't want to get sued again.