6 ms·

Still find it impossible to find resources where to get tested as an adult.

leoc 7y ago
IME psychiatrists who treat this kind of thing in children and adolescents usually seem to be willing to diagnose an adult as well.
monkeydreams 7y ago
Lordy - it took me ages. One psychiatrist went so far as to castigate me for my lack of spirituality (she was shocked when I said I didn't believe in god) and then went on to suggest that I had "repressed memories" of childhood neglect. While we are making shit up, why not make up an ASD diagnosis that actually fits the symptoms I'm reporting...
kosma 7y ago
I've been there; the irony is that the resource you're looking for is people. Find & join your local autistic community (the actually autistic people, not the moms or professionals); they know where to get a diagnosis. It's ironic because it's an autism thing to consult websites, books, etc., but not other people.
- nostrebored 7y ago
  Choosing from the group of people who have been diagnosed to see who they can recommend to examine you... you realize that this is the worst form of selection bias, right?
  - kosma 7y ago
    The reality of seeking diagnosis as an adult is that you get endlessly dismissed. I've been told I can't possibly be autistic because I can make eye contact, can talk, drive a car, or get to the appointment by myself. I've been misdiagnosed with and medicated for ADHD, personality disorders & OCD. The blatant incompetence of mental health professionals and complete lack of proper support and understanding drove me to the brink of suicide. So... yes, it's a bit of a selection bias, but the other option of searching at random - and getting hurt along the way - is just hell. False positives are rare and inconsequential; false negatives destroy lives. It's as simple as that.
barry-cotter 7y ago
Getting diagnosed as an adult has no upsides except ADA reasonable accommodations. If you think you have high functioning autism read books by and for HFA people. Go to autism support groups just to see what it’s like and what they’re like.

leoc 7y ago

IME psychiatrists who treat this kind of thing in children and adolescents usually seem to be willing to diagnose an adult as well.

monkeydreams 7y ago

Lordy - it took me ages. One psychiatrist went so far as to castigate me for my lack of spirituality (she was shocked when I said I didn't believe in god) and then went on to suggest that I had "repressed memories" of childhood neglect. While we are making shit up, why not make up an ASD diagnosis that actually fits the symptoms I'm reporting...

kosma 7y ago

I've been there; the irony is that the resource you're looking for is people. Find & join your local autistic community (the actually autistic people, not the moms or professionals); they know where to get a diagnosis. It's ironic because it's an autism thing to consult websites, books, etc., but not other people.

nostrebored 7y ago
Choosing from the group of people who have been diagnosed to see who they can recommend to examine you... you realize that this is the worst form of selection bias, right?
- kosma 7y ago
  The reality of seeking diagnosis as an adult is that you get endlessly dismissed. I've been told I can't possibly be autistic because I can make eye contact, can talk, drive a car, or get to the appointment by myself. I've been misdiagnosed with and medicated for ADHD, personality disorders & OCD. The blatant incompetence of mental health professionals and complete lack of proper support and understanding drove me to the brink of suicide. So... yes, it's a bit of a selection bias, but the other option of searching at random - and getting hurt along the way - is just hell. False positives are rare and inconsequential; false negatives destroy lives. It's as simple as that.

barry-cotter 7y ago

Getting diagnosed as an adult has no upsides except ADA reasonable accommodations. If you think you have high functioning autism read books by and for HFA people. Go to autism support groups just to see what it’s like and what they’re like.