Reddit reviews Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
We found 5 Reddit comments about Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
> I don't want a diagnosis via internet forum, but does it make sense to go against my therapist (who won't ever diagnose me with Asperger's because I can communicate OK with him one-on-one) and pursue a diagnosis from a specialist?
Yes, it absolutely makes sense. I've seen so many reports from others who have been in a similar situation, diagnosed multiple times with various conditions, with the possibility of Asperger's/autism repeatedly dismissed on superficial grounds, as if the mind isn't full of layers, many of which are hidden beneath the surface.
> Could it be that I flew under the radar for so long?
Indeed. Especially as a woman, there's a strong bias to attribute your behaviors and qualities to anything other than Asperger's. This bias exists both in general culture (for example, hormones are used to explain away so many female behaviors without any real consideration) and in the culture of the mental health profession (largely due to the original research decades ago focusing on male children, almost completely ignoring both females of any age and adults of any gender).
I'm a male myself, but it wasn't until recently, when the profession started to wake up to the possibility of Asperger's being just as prevalent in women as it is in men, that I started finding resources that I really connected with. Thus, I suspected I had Asperger's when I was 24, but it was only once I was 32 and revisited the subject that I found all the stories by other "under-the-radar" aspies, many of them women, and could truly connect with those experiences, learning from them and learning about myself more deeply. I certainly have some male stereotypes too, but the stereotypes have done a lot of harm, causing many people to go unrecognized for so long.
> And does anyone have tips for pursuing a diagnosis?
I just got done reading the book I Think I Might Be Autistic: A Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis and Self-Discovery for Adults, and I think it could be a useful read for you. Some of the details of the middle chapters are US-specific, so their usefulness will depend upon your location, as the diagnosis process differs quite a bit throughout the world. It's also a quick read. (I should have gotten this book a while ago; I had read the author's second book on the subject, Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate, over a year ago and loved it, as well as many articles on her blog Musings of an Aspie, and her first book indeed had the same quality.)
A somewhat longer book which I'd also recommend, with more of a focus on the reflective and emotional side of the diagnostic process, and less on the concrete details, is Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder): How Seeking a Diagnosis in Adulthood Can Change Your Life.
I'd also recommend considering finding a therapist/counselor who specializes in adult Asperger's/ASD, without necessarily focusing on an official diagnosis, at least in the short term. If you can relate to the experiences shared by adult aspies, and you feel like you are obtaining deeper self-understanding and highly applicable advice from books and online, it only stands to reason that you could find similar help from a counselor who is willing to approach your situation from that angle. I found a great counselor by very cautiously reading through the descriptions on the Psychology Today therapist search page. Might've gotten a little lucky that my first pick was a good pick, but it worked for me. Also, insurance might complicate this; I paid out of pocket, so I was free to go wherever for whatever reason.
So yeah, that's the essence of my advice: Self-directed research through books, blogs, and online communities, a sympathetic counselor regardless of current diagnostic status, and plenty of time and space for introspection. Also, be liberal with the self-love; when a person internalizes the perceived expectations of the society around them and feels like they are always failing to satisfy those expectations, it can be brutally debilitating, and can easily become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Learning how to wisely choose and live by my own expectations was one of the best things I've ever done.
Even if you don't get an official dx it is worthwhile to understand how Autism has manifested in your life, and educate yourself on the specific traits. It can help you understand yourself and your sons better. Understanding why you(or they) do certain things or behave in certain ways can reduce stress and misunderstandings. A book I would recommend is Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder), it has been very enlightening.
For those who mentioned being interested in books in this thread:
[Asperger Syndrome Employment Workbook] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asperger-Syndrome-Employment-Workbook-Professionals/dp/1853027960/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468747819&sr=8-1&keywords=Asperger+Syndrome+Employment+Workbook)
Survival Tips for Women with ADHD - Suitable for more than just women, and more than just ADHD.
[Build Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide for Individuals with Asperger] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Build-Your-Own-Life-Individuals/dp/1843101149?ie=UTF8&ref_=asap_bc)
A Field Guide to Earthlings
Been There. Done That. Try This!: An Aspie's Guide to Life on Earth
The Guide to Good Mental Health on the Autism Spectrum
Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding Life Experiences from Early Childhood to Old Age
Autism Equality in the Workplace: Removing Barriers and Challenging Discrimination - Some parts are more for employers or those supporting autistic people into work but others are more for autistic people.
Sensory Issues for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome
Living Sensationally: Understanding Your Senses
Aspies on Mental Health: Speaking for Ourselves
The Hidden Curriculum of Getting and Keeping a Job: Navigating the Social Landscape of Employment
Asperger's Syndrome Workplace Survival Guide
The Complete Guide to Getting a Job for People with Asperger's Syndrome
Unemployed on the Autism Spectrum
Asperger Syndrome and Employment
I'm going to stop there, though I could add loads more books. No single book has all the answers obviously and some are better than others in their presentation and approach. I've read most of them, but there are a couple that are still on my "to read" list so I won't make a sweeping comment about the usefulness of all of them - but the ones I have finished have contained useful advice.
Not really a couples book, but I read Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome. I'd recommend it if your husband is still figuring out what this all means to him. I found I relate immensely to the book, but I've not been officially diagnosed.
Sure! These are just a few that I've read...
They're not all completely geared toward adults with ASD and talk about kids too, but they do address adults at some point.
The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome https://www.amazon.com/dp/1843106698/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qQ5IxbWGWAG3D
The Way I See It, Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's https://www.amazon.com/dp/193527421X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_yT5IxbVXQE7BR
Twirling Naked in the Streets and No One Noticed: Growing Up With Undiagnosed Autism https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615801439/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4W5Ixb5QJMGZ7
Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder): How Seeking a Diagnosis in Adulthood Can Change Your Life https://www.amazon.com/dp/1849054339/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_TM5IxbSRTX1HR