Another middle aged Aspie west of Chicago

[Joe_S.]

Hi everyone,
I just read about this web site in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday. About a year or so ago I saw an episode of Chicago Tonight that interviewed a local man who had just published a book describing his Asperger's experience. That led me to an online questionaire that convinced me I have Asperger's. I notice that some of you have detailed quantitative scores, etc about your condition. I'm wondering if an official diagnosis is really necessary. It seems to me a diagnosis would be based on my answers to similar questions anyway.
I just wanted to hear from some of you about my concern and what I should do next.

 

[Judge]

Welcome to AC, Joe. I'm pushing 60 and self-diagnosed as well. Not likely to seek a formal diagnosis in the near future as I don't see any advantage at this point in my life. Interesting though to discover how many who thought they had it, who did seek a formal diagnosis to confirm what they already knew.

I think you'll find this place very informative in ways you aren't likely to find in more clinical and technical websites.

 

[Vanilla]

Welcome Joe

I think that a formal diagnoses is a personal choice really. If you don't feel the need to get one, it's not necessary.

Depending on where you are in your journey of self-discovery, and coming to terms with ASD, will determine your next steps. If you're still new to it all, perhaps it would be beneficial to browse the forums for answers, share your experiences, and ask many questions.

We also have a great recommended resources section, for books on ASD:
Asperger's & Autism Resources | AspiesCentral.com

 

[Turk]

Hi Joe and welcome,
As Vanilla has said, its very much a personal choice. My son has an official diagnosis, because he draws funding for schooling, from it. I however am self diagnosed an really dont stand to gain anything from it. In my case, the apple didnt fall far from the tree, so im happy dealing with it in my own way. To that end, this place has been just what I needed.
Cheers
Turk

 

[Joe_S.]

Thanks for those replies. Since mine is a self-diagnosis I was just wondering how others came to their conclusions that they had Asp and if mine was a typical way. At my age there wouldn't be any reason for a formal diagnosis other than to satisfy curiosity. I would imagine a formal diagnosis differs from a self-diagnosis only in who is asking the questions. Either way I would be answering them.

Specifically I went through a 100 question online form and concluded from a relatively few yes answers that I was an Aspie. But I sensed that those few yes answers explained a lot about my past life, a feeling of difference and aloneness that was perhaps more than most people experience.

 

[Judge]

How I scored on various tests interested me. However it was reading clinical definitions of symptoms which put me on track for believing I was on the spectrum of autism. And discussing my symptoms and listening to others here just reaffirms my suspicions every day.

What started it all was twofold:

1) A Natl Geo channel program about someone with Aspergers Syndrome

2) A haunting conversation with my mother a few years before she died. She told me that I didn't speak until I was four years old. Also that I seemed to spend a little too much time alone so much at that age. My concerned parents took it up with medical specialists at the time who thought I was just "fine". Which eventually many decades later turned out to be not the end of this story...

 

[Joe_S.]

I noticed that you and Vanilla (on this thread) have got three test scores listed. Did you access those on this site?

 

[Judge]

I noticed that you and Vanilla (on this thread) have got three test scores listed. Did you access those on this site?

Nope...those are from other Internet sites such as these:

The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R)

The AQ-test