I'm an adult. 26 years old, living with a couple of roommates and working on finishing college.
My parents suggested AS several years ago. They ran a screener on me first which indicated I was AS before I knew what AS was. I've had a mixed diagnostic history but the relevant bits are that I tested positive for ADD (no H) in some standardized computer/coordination testing -- but there were irregularities. I've had treatment for social anxiety off and on for a number of years. I've always scored exceptionally high on verbal and problem solving tests. I've never been in a serious relationship. I saw doctors several times as a young child because of stimming behaviors and concerns that I was seriously clinically depressed at age seven.
I've taken AS screeners. I usually get around 75% of the maximum score.
There are strange little coincidences that run through my story. My two aunts who were educators believed I had a learning disability when I was young and dismissed autism because I functioned well most of the way through school, in terms of grades. My birthday is Autistic Pride Day. In three separate school systems, teachers nicknamed me "The Little Professor".
I identify with AS but diagnosis is important to me. I don't want a cure but I want a name for what I am, something that explains my behavior -- especially if I ever do get into a relationship or face life as a parent. I want to understand me and I want words to give people as a starting point.
I've investigated around and there don't seem to be many resources in my area for autistic adults. There are people who specialize in children around who study autism. Most of the free or state subsidized counseling I've found seems ill-equipped for real diagnosis; they had me studied for a week in a facility only to determine that I was not schizophrenic and subsequently studied me for OCD or bipolar disorder but never found a diagnosis or a medication combination that had the expected results. The same happened with my ADD diagnosis where I didn't respond to Adderall or Ritalin the way an ADD person should.
Should I try to go to see someone who specializes in children for diagnosis?
Right now, my family doctor has prescribed me anti-anxiety medication pending a more formal visit with a shrink and while I do believe I need treatment for anxiety based on the past few years, I want a shrink who I can talk to and investigate AS, PDD and HFA with.
09 Jan 2007, 12:36 pm
