Diagnosis: Is it important or not?

[Suzanne]

I would say it all depends on the situation in one's life, as to whether a diagnosis is beneficial.

For me, it has proven a must and my life is a tad less of a worry, as there is an answer to my "weird" behaviour.

Also, where I am living, a diagnosis has opened the doors to some help.

 

[Judge]

To that I would add the reasons of getting appropriate treatment, accommodations and legal protections in the workplace, being given accommodations during medical treatment (relating to sensory issues) and having your autism taken seriously by everyone.

Good point. Though at times I'm a bit reticent to dive into those issues, as they tend to vary greatly depending on legal jurisdictions and the nature of one's diagnosis. The sort of thing that can reflect quite a difference depending on one residing in the UK as opposed to residing in the US. That employment accommodations and legal protections for autistic people in the workplace are more forthright in the UK than in the US. That your country's laws and societal attitude towards autism in general "have more teeth" than mine. Yet conversely to recognize on "both sides of the pond" that some employers continue to violate whatever civil laws that exist because they believe that they can get away with discrimination by simply being clever.

And that even under the best societal conditions, one must still weigh their own sense of "need-to-know" considerations not only with employers, but with those in their personal social orbit. Where assumptions that friends and loved ones will be accepting of one's autism can sometimes lead to surprise, shock and heartbreak, with or without a formal diagnosis.

Equally to consider the general public who may not really understand autism, let alone take it seriously. At least the public is slowly being more exposed to who and what we are. Though from a perspective of public relations, certain entities metaphorically referring to us as "puzzle pieces" isn't a step in the right direction IMO.

So I tend to tread lightly over such concerns, not wanting to imply any sense of unconditional protections particularly within the realm of civil law. Where the sentiment of the state to protect autistic people may well be greater than the actual practice of doing so. A definite consideration at least, on our side of the pond. Get that diagnosis if needed, but go in with "eyes wide open".

 

[Crossbreed]

Hello & welcome @Leni-Ali .
Another advantage to having a correct diagnosis is that the best therapy for one condition may not the best --or even contra-indicated-- for another. Your past diagnoses would require the use of psychotropic drugs. They would be ineffective and place you at risk for side effects, if all that you had was autism (which isn't treatable with any drug).

Run from any provider who says that "you don't look autistic!" If you are in the USA, see Finding Support Resources in the USA...

 

[Rectify]

This!!!

Run from any provider who says that "you don't look autistic!"

Yes.