Adult Official Diagnosis Questions

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Hello,

I'm 28 and recently self-diagnosed. Due to my age and the costs involved in getting an assessment ($2500 in the case of my 4 year old nephew) I'm in two minds about getting an official diagnosis. I have a few questions for those who have gone through the assessment process and would really appreciate any feedback you could provide.

Firstly, what does the adult assessment actually involve?

Do you think there are any real benefits to getting an official diagnosis once you have already struggled through adolescence and early adulthood undiagnosed and untreated?

Do you think 28 years (or however many in your case) of mimicking and pretending could make getting an official diagnosis difficult?

Did getting an official diagnosis actually change anything in your life?

Thanks for your time.

From my understanding, unless you are looking for government aid, job accommodation, or medication it doesn't do much. Having an official diagnosis never helped or hindered me. I'm taking a wait and see approach with my son, who has a non-medical diagnosis of HFA for school right now.

Some people find a professionally stamped label helpful in coming to terms with being different. It may also be useful if you made a mistake and actually have something that can be treated.

It depends on your situation and your circumstances.

I would get the diagnosis if you need it in order to get accomdations of any kind, whether that be for work, study, health or government reasons - in other words if it will make your life easier. This can help protect you from issues with employers, or issues with university, if you have the diagnosis, or they are forced to give you certain accomdations so you can participate as fully as you are capable of.

The process is expensive, as you have said, but in some places once you have the diagnosis, you are entitled to a certain number of sessions per year with a full rebate with a psychologist to help you deal with any issues you need help with.

If you follow the link on my signature it will show you the RAADS-R, which is generally the golden standard that they used to diagnose you. If you score 65 or higher on that, then you have ASC. They generally use at least one other test of their choosing, as well as professional observation and a history in order to come to the decision.