I'm not sure if I am aspie...

[Sjjac1]

But I sure have a lot of Aspie traits. How does one know if they are Aspie or just a bit weird? I presume not all aspies have all the traits- that there is a gradient of spectrum within being Aspie in itself (i.e. nearly normal to much more autistic)?

I am an adult female. Supposedly I was assessed for social skill as a child and was normal. (HAH!)

The story is that I've always had trouble making friends/been betrayed/been teased/been the weird one/been the teacher's pet. I say awkward things, I accidentally interrupt people, I'm sometimes either getting fixated on a topic of conversation or unable to comfortably continue one. I don't hug or kiss my friends unless they ask for it, looking someone in the eye walking down a hall way is uncomfortable, and I have an aversion to phoning people despite being quite good on the phone (I always text instead if I can). If someone says their cat is a breed or a colour and it's not, it shits me to tears and I MUST CORRECT THEM. I'm often offending people with my direct matter of fact manor and tactlessness.

On the other hand, I am very extroverted and love the hustle and bustle of a busy street and if I am alone for more than a day I get antsy. I can look people in the eye when talking. I'm not great with jokes but I do get them, sometimes... I do not have much in the way of OCD behaviour. I understand analogies and phrases of speech (i heard/read aspires often don't). I love customer service jobs, I work at a bar and at McDonalds.

I've made it all the way to final year of vet school before my social skills have started causing huge problems. Literally to the point of failing clinical rotations because of a comment, or avoiding long surgeries because they are BORING, or just not quite following the schedule, not understanding what I am supposed to be doing each day because no body is giving direct instructions... etc. etc..

A friend recently suggested I might be aspie and I was so freaked out, denied it. Then after all the uni trouble I looked into it and to my horror I fit so many aspects of being aspergers. I really need a diagnosis one way or the other so I can talk to my school about it (and hopefully get some concessions for my behaviour?) before I fail out of vet school.

I live in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Being a student, I can't afford a lot of places that do aspie assessments. What is the most cost effective way? Can anyone recommend a Doctor who knows about Aspergers?

I'm confused.

 

[Turnip]

Welcome to the forum!

You might be on the Autism Spectrum, you might not.

With regard to your University trouble, why don't you discuss your academic situation and your concerns with your Uni's course/academic adviser, before you start going down the road to possible diagnosis (for one, it might take too long, it sound like you need to start addressing your issues at Uni right away if you are to pass this semester).

I also don't know how well your university will be able or willing to accommodate issues like avoiding boringly long surgeries, with or without a diagnosis. Accommodations I have heard of might be giving you written notes for a lecture, or letting you take an exam in a quiet room to avoid distraction.

 

[Ereth]

Aspie or not, you're welcome here. Perhaps browsing the forum will give you some insight into the issue as you figure out where to seek a professional diagnosis.

 

[Vanilla]

Welcome

You sound a bit like me.

The reason you may feel unsure whether you are an Aspie or not may be due to the fact that there isn't much information out there explaining that males and females generally display a different set of traits. I had the same issue when I was trying to find answers. Not all professionals are trained to realise the differences either. If you google females with Asperger's you will find much more pleasing results.

One book that helped me to cement my suspicions is Aspergirls, by Rudy Simone. If you would like to purchase it from the book depository, they offer most countries free shipping :
http://www.bookdepository.com/Aspergirls-Rudy-Simone/9781849058261

Hope that helps

 

[Turk]

Im not sure if this helps but anyway. After my son was officially diagnosed, I knew I was on the spectrum. I didnt need a diagnosis, but I did need help. I went to my GP and explained my situation and it was really having adverse effects to my life. He drew up a mental health plan. By doing this it allows you to access a Physcologist at a greatly reduced cost, through medicare. Finding the right Physcologist can be a bit hit or miss, but this will allow u to access help, without a diagnosis, almost straight away. Once youve seen them, they may be able to provide some sort of clinical assessment for your Uni, however im unsure of that fact. I was able to access my Physcologist for about $50 a visit. Bear in mind though, once your GP draws up a mental health plan, it becomes a part of your permanent record, and can be accessed by potential employers. This is not the best fit for everyone, but if your in need of help fast and money is an issue, it is definitely an option.
Cheers
Turk

 

[Ste11aeres]

If someone says their cat is a breed or a colour and it's not, it shits me to tears and I MUST CORRECT THEM.

I've recently started to become really really annoyed with the confusion surrounding the term "pit bull". It's actually a little obsession of mine. People can't agree on what makes a dog a pit bull. It's not a specific breed, it's a bod-type shared by certain dogs. At least that's the way the term is used.
On the other hand, pit bull advocates are referring to one specific breed (usually American Pit Bull Terrier. (But sometimes different dogs that are said to be that breed are often obviously genetically pretty different from one another. Are they really one breed? One genetically diverse breed? Or should they be renamed and considered multiple breeds?)) but other people, when they use the term, are not necessarily referring to a dog that is that breed. Officially there are apparently three or four breeds that are "real" pit bulls. Most people, I think, can't necessarily recognize them. But if most people use the term to refer to a dog body type, does that mean most people are mis-using the word, or does it mean that is the real meaning of the word. (since surely a word means what most people mean when they use it...regardless of whether some "expert" or dictionary says the word actually means something else.)
And it's not a harmless confusion, given all the politics that surrounds that name. Call your dog a Dogo Argentino, people will love him and you. Call the same dog a pitbull, you and him have become monsters in people's eyes.
So this pit bull dog breed confusion is really really irritating me.

 

[Salmongirl17]

You're welcome here, aspie or not! You probably don't need to worry if you have it or not... your life's near the exact same with an official diagnosis as without one.

You'll still be able to achieve your college/career dreams, aspie or not

 

[GoofKing]

Welcome to the community Is there anyway that you could see about getting a diagnosis ?