Advice please.

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I'm going for assesment in "4 to 6 weeks" do you think i should avoid any info about AS before?
I'm a bit worried that i may act un-naturaly if i know what they are looking for.
I want a true DX of myself, and not what my brain thinks i need.
I want a normal life, not to "sponge" from the state.
I feel very uncomfortable about the self-DX situation and can't take myself seriously about it, let alone others

I'm sorry I just don't understand. What do you mean by an assesment? Like a state funded rehabilition services type thing, where they can help you find a job and help you with 'things' and such?

assesment= testing for AS.

Thats a really tough question. I'm not sure if I can answer it. When I went to get my assessment at the Maudsley hospital in London, I tried not to mention the 'self-diagnosis' that I had made (and heck I had self diagnosed AS, Tourette syndrome AND Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) mainly because I didn't want the professor to think that I might have somehow 'learnt' my behaviour from books or something. Interestingly enough, towards the end of the assessment he actually asked me 'What do you think you might have'. I explained to him that I didn't want to tell him because I was worried what his reaction might be (for the above reasons) but he insisted so I told him. Three weeks later I was diagnosed with all three conditions and he congratulated me on my accurate diagnosis! I can't really tell you what to do though because I don't know what your assessor will be like. Some like the professor will be happy to hear your thoughts, others might get pissy and tell you to stop doing their job! Good luck anyhow!

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I have HFA, ADHD, OCD & Tourette syndrome. I love animals, especially my bunnies and hamster. I skate in a roller derby team (but I'll try not to bite )

Oh, alright.

Well, if you mean avoid info before going like reading up on AS and things of that naure, then no.
I assume you don't want to get any "ideas in your head" if that makes sense. Like you said "un-natural" and don't want to come off as if you did some research and something caught your eye, not knowing if it describes you or not. I say that's still fine. Because, while reading up on things you may actually find an aspie trait that describes you well.
I have a list I wrote out that has all the things that I do which are aspie like.
I also have a list of things that I don't meet the critera for AS.

But, take my advice with a grain of salt because I have yet to get my assesment.
I haven't gone yet and am still looking for a specialist. Just think. We're two Justin's who think we have AS and we have random numbers after our name. lol

and good luck!

What a funny question.

Are you hoping that you will be diagnosed as AS or that you will not be?

You need to do some scenario planning in your head about how the results will affect you, namely:

If you are diagnosed, how will this change things? You stated you didn't want to "sponge" off the state. Is there something else tangible that a diagnosis will give you (therapy, prescriptions, consideration when applying for jobs)?

If you are not diagnosed, how will you feel about it? Will you seek a second opinion or will you take this assessment's word for it?

Remember that AS traits individually are considered to be normal; it's the degree to which you experience them together and the subsequent impairment on your quality of life which makes it a clinical condition. Do you absolutely need to know on which side of the line you fall?

I don't understand why every time a "do you think I have..." or "I'm getting an assesment" type thread comes up a lot of people ask why. I know not all of you were diagnosed young. Some had to have at one point questioned it themselves, or went to see a specialist. For me personally, I want to get a better understanding of myself. It's nothing to be ashamed of, asperger's, it's simply I want to learn all I can about me. Even if it weren't for that reason. I'm not a doctor, and I'd like to get officially diagnosed. Let's just say that you benefit in no 'tangible' way, however when friends or anyone else who is generally against self dignosis ask "have you been diagnosed by a doctor?" You can answer yes.

that's just the way I see it.

lets just say i want help to re-intergrate into society in a way that suits ME best.
I am about 90% sure i have AS, but am not a pro on the subject.
I just don't want to be influenced by what the "shrinks" want or need to see to give a DX
If i am just a strange NT, then help can be given accordingly.

J6378, what makes you think that "the shrinks" know what is best for you? Also, how would help for a "strange NT" who has AS traits be any different than someone who is officially diagnosed with "mild" AS?

I'm not saying you shouldn't go get a diagnosis. You should, however, know what it is you want to get out of it. It sounds like you just want a professional confirmation. Okay, so then what? What if you don't get a professional confirmation?

That and I'm trying to save you a bit of cash.

money is of no consiquence as i use the NHS here in the UK.
i need to find the help that is most suited to me and my needs, i have so far been on 6 different antidepssants .

i don't think i'd be shocked by a DX of Kanners as i am the most childish person i know. (including my 2&6 year old nephews)
maybe i'm just masaging my ego with the whole "average to above average IQ"

I'm the most childish person I know in some ways and diagnosed AS. But childishness isn't part of the criteria.

If you have to take an IQ test, keep in mind that the subscores often reveal more about autistics than overall score. They should explain this to you anyway, as well as provide a full explanation of whatever diagnosis you receive.

Waiting for the assessment is anxiety-provoking for many, and the thoughts and doubts you've expressed here are not unusual.

^ True. It is relevant, but not an explicit criterion, and doubtful it would distinguish HFA from AS.