Best way to go about getting tested/diagnosed?

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I've been looking into getting tested and diagnosed for ASD, but I'm not sure where to begin with the process. Is there a specific type of specialist I should be looking for?

I have insurance through my parents, but only until next year, so I'd like to get an answer one way or another as soon as possible.

There are a number of psychologists/social workers/counselors/etc. in the area, but none that specialize in autism. Ones that do mention autism specifically mention children, so I'm not sure how much good that would do me.

So what's the best way to go about it? Should I be looking for a psychologist, or a social worker, or somebody else? is it worth seeing someone who isn't an autism specialist?

If you're looking to get diagnosed for a particular thing before you go in you will bias the results of whatever screenings you get and the diagnosis will be meaningless. Take care not to say to yourself, "I want to be diagnosed with aspergers", but try to say to yourself, "I want to know what's different about my brain and why". I believe I have autistic traits but I have to be sure to give only objective information about my life, my specific feelings, and specific incidents or I know I will compromise whatever help I'm getting and waste everyone's time.

Start by visiting your family doctor (or community doctor/nurse) and telling him/her that you're interested in a referral to a psychiatrist. Your doctor will ask why, and you will honestly provide the details about your feelings that let you know or believe that there is something amiss with your mind. Your doctor will determine the best course of action be it referral to a psychiatrist or to other outpatient care.

It is very important to go in objectively and aware that just because Asperger's seems familiar to you, you may in fact fall into another category. If you leave out any experiences that don't support this diagnosis or otherwise skew the results to get it you essentially make your diagnosis meaningless and the help you look to receive may not be correct for your condition. If you're stressed by this, inform your doctor that you are worried that you may not be entirely objective.

I will end this by saying that while I know all the steps and parts involved it takes me months to work up to even the first step and I generally start to meltdown before I get far through the process and tell myself that I'm okay not knowing. I may be projecting my own pre-disposition but it sounds like you've made up your mind about what's wrong with you. If you aren't I'm sorry for all the unneeded information.

Thanks for your question by the way, my spelling out how to do it led to me calling my doctor and making an appointment which I fear I would've put off for much longer but I clearly know how to go about it so there is no excuse. But now I'm completely jacked and bouncy, :O.

Hi:

Is it possible for you to go out of the area to see someone who specializes in autism? I think it is well worth your while if you are able to travel to see someone with this experience right from the get-go.

Best wishes, LM

It's not like I'd be upset if I was diagnosed with something else. I just know they do tests and would like an answer one way or another.

My stepmom actually came home with some research she did today. Apparently theres actually a specialist within walking distance? It seems legit. I think I'll be giving them a call tomorrow.

I'm horrible with google.

the point of all the GP stuff is that most specialists are crunched for time and generally require a referral from a doctor.