Hello

[Maggiepie]

I was diagnosed with anxiety disorders, anorexia, OCD and depression when I was 15. I also have an undiagnosed trauma disorder (possibly DID or DDNOS) I'm 25 now. Last year a close friend with a masters in psychology told Me I am autistic. It felt like the missing piece to all the other things I struggle with. When I talked to my mom she informed me that my highschool therapist suspected ASD. Not sure why I was never tested??? Self identifying has been immensely helpful but I want the validation of an official diagnosis so I finally scheduled an evaluation for ASD.

 

[Richelle-H]

Welcome to the forums. I wish I was 25 again knowing what I know now and with all the benefits that come with the life experiences that I have lived through. I hope you receive the validation you seek, although there is nothing wrong with your self identification. The road is often long and hard for many while some of us with an official diagnosis skirt the issue a bit.

Please let us know how your evaluation goes as this is a very supportive environment. All the best to you on your journey of discovery.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

One thing to remember before your appointment and testing,...and this is especially important for females, as there appears to be a male bias on the diagnostic process,...so be your true self. When I say this,...even if you have to be at your worst,...no masking/camouflaging behaviors. What we know from the autism genome project is that there appears to be a phenomenon where females need significantly more "genetic loading" before they become diagnosed,...and this is not because of some X-chromosome (female) protective effect,...it's because of the testing and interview methods. Females often will exhibit "subclinical" symptomatology,...primarily because they are so used to hiding their symptoms in front of other people, they don't remember to turn off their masking in front of the psychologist,...and then "they don't have autism".

So,...what that means is,...prior to going in,...no medications, no caffeine, no nootropic vitamin/herbal supplements. Furthermore,...and this is the hardest part, because we were all taught to be friendly, polite, receptive individuals,...if it is a bit of an "act" for you,...stop the acting in front of the psychologist.

 

[tree]

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

Welcome, Maggiepie. I hope your diagnosis will give you some closure and lead you to understand yourself better. Diagnosed at 60, as a young adult not knowing my ASD I had to find strategies to improve myself alone.

 

[clg114]

Welcome to Autism Forums!

 

[Nitro]

 

[Thinx]

Hi and welcome. Jessica Kingsley publishers catalogue is worth looking at for autism issues and specifically for texts by women and clinicians about women with Autism including how the diagnostic process can overlook or fail to see women as autistic. Good luck with your appointment, good advice from @Neonatal RRT .

 

[Sunny1]

Welcome to the forums. It is a great place with a lot of great people! See how comfortable you feel. That will give you information. (-:

 

[Storm Hess]

Hello.

 

[VictorR]

Welcome! I concur that there's some excellent advice in the above posts