So, I finally made an appointment for a DX

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Since I found out about AS/HFA about 6 months ago it has been a very unusual time for me. I finally figured out what was going on with me, and found answers to a lot of the questions that I had.

But I still haven't gotten officially diagnosed yet. I have been putting it off because I didnt want my mother to know. She would either call me a crazy hypochondriac, or use my AS as an excuse to control me more. Since I didnt want either of those things, I decided to wait. But, now that I have a new job and my own health insurance (which pays for psychiatrist appointments) I decided it is time.

I am still not entirely sure why I want an official diagnosis. I have a nice job, and enough skills to live independently, so I dont need the DX for any help. But I guess I am looking for re-assurance to prove to myself that I'm not crazy. I am fairly certain that I am not crazy, but there is something to be said for having an expert in the field agree with you. It might also be useful for explaining things in case people at my new job start asking questions about why I act weird if I have documentation.

I found a doctor in Waco, called Richard Brunn. He apparently has specialties in pervasive developmental disorders, and neurological testing. Since he was covered by the health insurance, I decided that I should call him up and ask for an appointment to discuss the matter. I asked him if he knew about AS, and he said that he was very familiar with it, which makes sense if he lists it as a specialty. I told him that I was 22, found out about AS recently, and was hoping for a second opinion on whether or not I have it. He seemed friendly. He asked me if I could get to his office by myself, or if I would need help. I said I could manage, and he replied, 'Are you sure somebody with aspergers can handle that?'. I'm not sure if this was meant to be a light hearted joke, or an actual question. I have difficulty determining things like that. Since he didnt press for an answer, I think it was just a joke. He then asked me if I was still living with my parents. I told him that I lived independently, and worked as a mechanical engineer. He did seem seem somewhat surprised by my answer. I dont know if he was surprised at being an engineer at 22, or being independent with AS, or perhaps I just mis-interpreted his response.

In any case, I have an appointment for monday, January 5th. I dont know what I am supposed to do for this. Should I act the way I do at home, or should I act like I would in public? Should I try to make eye contact, or not. Do I speak naturally, or do I try to speak normally? Should I bring along any medical records, or report cards from my childhood? Those all say things like 'doesnt socialize well', 'doesnt make eye contact' etc.

I think I may be over-thinking this. Dr. Brunn seemed like a nice person, and since he specializes in AS, I dont think I will need to make it incredibly obvious and act overly autistic to show him what he wants to see in order to get a diagnosis. But I am afraid that I will act too normal and just get told the same thing Ive heard too many times, 'Just try a bit harder, you'll get it eventually'.

So, for those of you who got a DX as an adult, how did you act for the diagnosing visit? Did you bring any records, or anything else to help show your AS, and how did that work out?

I've found that many professionals even today find it 'unsettling' when they run across an older person on the spectrum since most are used to dealing with kids and teens. Remember that it's only been 14 years since AS even became a diagnosis.

I have found that a DX and and $3.25 will get you a decent latte at Starbucks. When you already have a good idea what you have ( "gee, doc, I think my leg is broken") it helps when you are at the emergency room. However when you go to the Psychologist with what you think is the answer ("gee, doc, I think my condition is Asperger's Autism!") they are rarely ready to concurr. I found if I didn't give them a name for it , but just described the symptoms and took their tests, they were much more open to it.

I was DXed about 6 months ago, after knowing about AS and knowing I was AS for two years. I have met many doctors since that had no idea about AS at all. Oh, yes, and they wern't interested when I came to them AFTER my diagnosis, either, as I had no hovering parents that were willing to try anything to get me 'well' (cash register ring.)

Merle

Hi Tracker,

First, I hope it will help you to know that most of us getting Dxed as adults have the same questions and fears. I was practically climbing the walls before my assessment. All I wanted was to go to sleep till it was over, and then wake up with a Dx.

As for the assessment...I just got Dxed with AS at the age of 50 on Nov 3. I saw an AS specialist, and I didn't bring anything in particular to the assessment. Like yourself, I've lived independently--in my case, for 30 years. I had a very successful career in the software industry, I have a very healthy and happy kid, I have a good marriage, I own a house, etc. I was afraid the doc would look at all of that and say, "What the hell are you doing here?" But he didn't. He asked me a lot of questions and made a lot of observations, and gave me the right diagnosis.

The thing to remember is that the doctor you will see is most likely NT, and that means that he can do this very weird thing called "interpreting non-verbal cues." One of the things I've just figured out is that I'm really the last one to know that I haven't exactly been acting normative my entire life. For instance, the other night, I was telling my husband that I feel kind of bad that he married me without our knowing about the AS, and now I have these challenges that are out in the open, and we have to adjust to all this. And he said, "Yes, well, you see, I've kinda noticed from the day I met you that you don't exactly have the ability to relate to people in a conventional way." And I thought I'd been hiding it so well. Duh. I was just hiding it from myself. Most other people have never known what the hell to make of me.

Even though I was convinced that I'm an Aspie, it was important for me to get a third-party diagnosis. Some people need it and want it; some people don't. I'm glad that you're pursuing it, because it's important to you.

Just act naturally Tracker.
When you're out in public I'm guessing you're acting a way so that other people would see you as just like them.
When you get the test done just be yourself. That's what I'm doing.

yeah, you are what you are before you are recognized as being what you are. when I first found out I was AS I was really scared other people would find out, too. Like neshamaruach's spouse, though, everyone already knew something was up. This just helped me in my own head that I finally wasn't the crazy lady I had grown to fear about myself. Now that I learned what it was and how to cope with it I can't believe it is getting better to live in the world. I hope that for you, too, Tracker.

Merle

Thanks for the responses

I have decided just to memorize the reports from my early childhood so I can bring them up if it is appropriate. That way I can have the data available.