Diagnosis Concerns (Personal POV)

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Hi All. As I have stated in my intro thread elsewhere, I am a 38 year old male who has recently been confronted with the possibility of having ASD (High Functioning). I honestly didn't really think very long on whether I would be upset if I did...I actually think it fits me and my experiences very well.

That being said, I am confronted with some thoughts that give me pause: I am high functioning, so much so that I spent 35+ years of my 38 year life thinking I was neurotypical, albeit "weird" to a certain degree. But the more I look at info about ASD, and read stories about late diagnosis people with high functioning autism (or even a few that are not in that category), I find myself thinking, "Wow, that is me. That is what I experienced."

But could it be that I am just...odd?

Honestly I find myself more comfortable thinking that I have had ASD and have been undiagnosed my entire life. The thought of going for a diagnosis (I am currently on a loooong waiting list) and having it come back as negative for ASD actually scares me a bit more, because while it materially doesn't *actually* change my life experience or quality of life, it leaves me uncertain about what is off...what things there are that explain my life experiences.

That brings me finally to my question, which is: What other experiences do people like me have on this issue? And if I do go for a diagnosis, but it turns back negative (and I STILL feel like ASD fits me best), what do I do then? What options do I have for me?

This has been a topic I have been obsessing over a bit lately, and is the source of a lot of anxiety. It doesn't help that this entire process is really new to me, and has such significant meaning that my life is feeling a bit in turmoil about it. So I hope I can get some input and thoughts that can help guide me on my journey here.

I responded at length (I sometimes do that) on your intro thread elsewhere.

When I went for my assessment I also did not know if I was on the Spectrum or just almost on it. I have learned, on WP, that there is an actual Borderline Autism diagnosis in additional to an Autism diagnosis. So, even if you are not on the Spectrum it doesn't mean you'd come home empty-handed.

Oh, and there are other diagnoses available that have many "symptoms" in common with Autism. For instance, at the High end of ADHD the characteristics apparently resemble the Low end of Autism.

The professionals are supposed to be able to figure that kind of thing out for us.

I collected all kinds of old records for the Psychologist who did my assessment. The only thing I know she studied was the journal my long-deceased Mom had made of my first year of life. I'll guess they will want to talk to your Mom.

P.S. Enjoy the assessment! It was kind of fun! And there were parts that were a little silly because they were clearly designed for young children.

Yes that could be it. or BAP.


Try to not be overly attached to a neurodevelopmental diagnosis. Such attachment can lead to negative psychological results.


Rhetorical question: Do any of your life experiences actually need to be explained? And would an autism diagnosis actually explain them? Even if you are autistic, there are other factors that make up who you are and the life you've led. A diagnosis doesn't actually tell you whether any given episode in your life was related to autism or not.


Ex-girlfriend mentioned that I was like the autistic people at the group home she worked at, and I started researching the condition. I started trying to get an assessment ten years ago and failed multiple times. People told me I'm too smart/academically accomplished to have autism, gave me Schizoid PD misdiagnoses.

Then a medical provider referred me because she found out I have a CAPD diagnosis, and I finally got an assessment. Diagnostic opinion was ASD level 2 with receptive language impairment. Last year. I was 39.


Options: Seeking another assessment. Forgetting about it and moving on with your life. Studying the broader autism phenotype to decide whether it applies to you.

Good advice.




Materially, no, none of my life experiences need to be explained. It would put things into meaningful perspective, but in either case you are right that my life experiences are what they are regardless of a diagnosis (or not). Thanks for the direct words.

I appreciate the direct responses and clarity. Thanks.

Remember when I mentioned "professionals"?

Well I'm not one and I may have messed up what "BAP" stands for. This site gives different words for the initials "BAP"--with effectively the same meaning: A bit of Autism but not enough to qualify for an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.

But whatever you do, don't mistake it for "BPD". That's a different "different"!