Awaiting diagnosis... and READY!

[GirlGoneWild1985]

Hello,
I'm a noob. My family has been discovering the many shades of autism in our youngest generation. It's made for some interesting times of us looking at our own behaviour and realizing that most of us have aspie traits. Some of us more so than others! My sister has recently found out her daughter has autism. With doing her own research she is now begging her weird little sister (AKA me) to go get diagnosed and get some help. It's been refreshing and nerve wracking. I've always felt weird. I know I'm weird and dont get people the way I should. I've always felt at home when I hear other ASD's talking about their lives. The bells going off and feeling understood... it felt miraculous and scary. To have my sister come and say it straight to me (something I already felt I knew) was a relief. Finally, I'm not being a hypochondriac. Now maybe people can understand me better and I can stop feeling like a miserable failure 24/7. So, here I am. 32, frustrated and failing. Hoping for something better! PS - there are no Doctors available in my area (I'm in Canada) because there are none to take on new patients. Will I be able to get a referral from a walk-in Dr? Thank you!

 

[tree]

 

[WereBear]

Welcome!

Be prepared to do all the tracking down and figuring out... see my sig for my realization as someone who was diagnosed recently, in mid-life.

Concentrate on other people on the Spectrum; that is where I have gotten the most help!

 

[Southern Discomfort]

Diagnosis for autism or most mental conditions can take a very long time, particularly if you're an adult and especially if you're female. Be warned. But you do have the advantage of having a diagnosis in the family so that might help.

Welcome.

 

[GirlGoneWild1985]

I was kind of hoping that with two confirmed diagnosis in the family it would be helpful. I can't help but feel bad for previous generations struggles with depression and OCD, knowing that the may have been misdiagnosed in part. Mostly, I think I just want to work on being the best version of myself I can be for myself and my partner. I'd like to start a family but not until I get my proverbial house in order.

Diagnosis for autism or most mental conditions can take a very long time, particularly if you're an adult and especially if you're female. Be warned. But you do have the advantage of having a diagnosis in the family so that might help.

Welcome.

 

[CentralBank]

What helped accelerate my diagnosis was a wealth of documentation going all the way back to my childhood. They actually thought it was odd I hadn't been diagnosed earlier considering I had such obvious early warning signs, but the school district and my parents had just settled on the ADHD diagnosis.

So if you have any history you think would help, I'd say dig it up.

 

[GirlGoneWild1985]

I don't have much by way of documentation relating to autism directly. I've been quite a good mimic socially, and I've never been treated for my depression. I can give a decent enough description of my childhood symptoms but it's not something my mother likes to talk about. I'm a hand flapper, and had a lot of compulsive tendencies when I was younger. I also have a lot of the health issues associated with autism. Asthma, allergies, excema, clumsiness, late bloomer, numerous stomach issues, and inconclusive "autoimmune disorder" tests and diagnosis that goes no where. With no long term Dr it's been difficult to establish on going treatment plans.

What helped accelerate my diagnosis was a wealth of documentation going all the way back to my childhood. They actually thought it was odd I hadn't been diagnosed earlier considering I had such obvious early warning signs, but the school district and my parents had just settled on the ADHD diagnosis.

So if you have any history you think would help, I'd say dig it up.

 

[GirlGoneWild1985]

Fixation and echoalia are common for me as well as being very rigid about routines and not so good about self-care... I could go on but there is a good possibility I'd be rambling lol.

 

[Nitro]

Hi GirlGoneWild1985

 

[GirlGoneWild1985]

Hi GirlGoneWild1985


View attachment 44022

Hello!

 

[the_tortoise]

PS - there are no Doctors available in my area (I'm in Canada) because there are none to take on new patients. Will I be able to get a referral from a walk-in Dr?

Is there an autism society in your area? I would try contacting them first -- they may be able to help you with finding a doctor or give you tips for asking for a referall at a walk-in clinic.

In some areas there are specialist clinical services for adults to be assessed for ASD.

Also, welcome to the forum.

 

[GirlGoneWild1985]

That's a really good idea. I know they have a lot of resources for children with ASD but I'm not sure what's available for adults here! I'll go see what's available for me. Maybe I'll be surprised with some good news!

 

[Starfire]

Hi and welcome

 

[Thinx]

Hi welcome. I hope you also will get a chance to embrace the upsides of this different brain, and find ways to play to your strengths. I hope you enjoy it here, people are friendly and there's plenty of useful information and threads here.