Can DX be used against me?

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I am not yet officially diagnosed with AS, and one thing that has prevented me from seeking a diagnosis is the potential for my partner, who is NT, to use it against me to gain custody of our daughter should we ever separate. I'm not even sure if this is a reasonable fear, but it seems valid to me presently. Any thoughts? Are there any benefits to having a dx?

there is no benifit to having a dx of aspergers, exept your peace of mind.

http://www.faaas.org/doc.php?25,243

http://www.faaas.org/doc.php?25,187

I've also seen claims on here of people not being able to be insured afterward. I have no idea how true that is.

Unless you have co-morbid conditions there is no treatment. For adults, there are no services or "rehabilitation" in most areas.

Thanks for the links.

Yes, it can be used against you. Do not seek a diagnosis if you are in a custody dispute.

The most amazing things have been used to deny custody. I know of a case where a woman was of an "alternative" religion and lived in the deep south of the USA. Guess what cost her her children?

If you know you're an Aspie, you're an Aspie. Unless you are seeking ADA accommodations at work or are young enough that some program might exist that might help you, I'd keep your paperwork trail as clean as possible.

Just because the courts have very little to do with justice, in the long run.

Aye, the US "justice" system tends to better serve those with money in today's world.

I've seen that being on psych meds disqualifies me for health insurance anywhere.

This makes me sick.

Reading those articles from FAAAS was alarming. We are both Aspie and we have our own child who has grown up well balanced with good friendships, does well at school, plays sport for several teams, is relaxed, happy and well cared for (the words of his school and those around him, not just my observations). My obsession with getting things right means that I have been extra-careful with safety issues like food and road safety, not careless with them. The thought that someone in a court could be generalising about how good those with Asperger Syndrome are as parents is very concerning. Yes, some people with severe behaviours caused by autistic thinking patterns may not be good parents. Plenty more will be, though. Surely every single parent has to be judged on their particular merits. I've certainly seem any number of NT parents who have treated their children appallingly (I do voluntary work for charities and schools).
This kind of thing is why neither of us has ever gone for a formal dx.

If you think FAAAS is horrible, look up ASPar as well as articles written by Sheila Jennings Linehan, a Canadian Family Law expert that has put some rather negative views on Aspies as parents in her articles.

There are also many British articles concerning custody battles with parents who have AS. This isn't strictly a US thing.

I'd also be worried about your employer. If you don't have problems at work, keep it out of work entirely. People are notorious for "looking" for signs once they know. You could end up fired for another reason and never realize what happened. They could also think you'll be on all kinds of psych meds, whether true or not, and that their insurance will go up as a result. Strange things have happened. If you don't have to get a diagnosis to function, you should really think about it.

Here's the link to ASPar. http://www.aspar.klattu.com.au/custody.htm

I think it might not be only AS. People who have cancer are discriminated against in the workplace too.

Frankly,

I USUALLY don't use my real name on forums like this. I DID ask for it to be changed, but haven't pursued it. Still, I have't put stuff here publically because people here are RIGHT! I am ******NEVER****** renting from Dollar Rent A Car EVER again! WHY???? Because they ALWAYS do a credit "INQUIRY"! So why is THAT bad?

Creditors think an inquiry means someone has reason to be worried, and they are missing something. Likewise, Insurance companies may feel that your going for a psychiatrist indicates you have a real PROBLEM! For all they know, you'll fly off a cliff some day.

BTW Dollar tries to trick people like me, because they own THRIFTY also! SO, I have boycotted thrifty ALSO!

Steve

I was once considered "high risk" on the insurance when all i took was an allergy pill and a pimple cream.

Last edited by ooohprettycolors on 19 Jun 2007, 9:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

That is why I use the screen name "9CatMom." I don't want people at work to know I post here.