Aspergers - to get a diagnosis or not get one???

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signed up here yesterday, have been reading the web all week about the condition after taking an online test. I am almost sure I have symptoms associated with aspie.

question is: if i do have it, will it make any difference to get a Doctor to confirm it? Its not like its going to be cured or even treated. I function reasonably ok, have a job which i manage with.

I guess im asking (& sorry to be so self-serving here ) but what would "I get out of" a diagnosis?

If you live in a country with a decent welfare system, it is very useful.
Other than that it can be a relief that you're not suffering something worse, and that you're not really mentally ill or at least not as bad as you feared.

If you are a adult then not a point really.

If you have to pay for it then definatly not.

If, however, it's free, you might as well get one.

I've been asking myself the same question.

I've got a health insurance so cost is no problem for me.

There's something else that prevents me from going to a doctor which you may regard as a 'wrong' reason. The fact is, my recent discovery of Asperger and the recognition of myself in it has a comforting effect on me. So far I had always assumed to be the only one different from other people and now it seems there are more people like me.

But since I'm naturally very insecure about myself, I wonder would I really pass an Aspie 'exam'? And what if not? Obvious answer: then I'd be back on my own.

Is it a wrong reason, or not?

This is my personal opinion and my personal choice, and I would never discourage anyone from seeking a proper diagnosis. If you're not coping yourself and able to live a life day to day, and cannot get the support you need from friends and family, then yes, there is no failure or weakness in asking for help and recieving it. We're all here to live a fruitful and happy life, I believe, and nobody should have to life half a life out of fear of admitting they need help.

Saying that, I have chosen to remain undiagnosed, officially. However, I can make that choice because I had the luxury of working in care with other people trained in working with and diagnosing autism, and I have been unofficially diagnosed, with nothing going down on my medical record. If I hadn't had that, I may feel differently about it.

Autism isn't a disease, it's not a sickness, so why do we have to have our nature confirmed by a doctor? My Dad and brother are both left handed, and the obvious physical clues showed that, nothing had to be left hanging until they were signed off by a doctor.

Personally, there's nothing in a diagnosis I need. I'm not looking welfare handouts or free medication (and there does seem to be a financial incentive in many people's suggestions to get diagnosed). I also don't want to have that pause every time my medical records get checked. I know it's not a disease, I know it doesn't mean I'm "special", but I'm in a minority, especially in Northern Ireland. Over here, people with autism get shut in a room and spend their days putting together jigsaws and working out of plastic baskets. We're still living in the dark days when we're seen as being mentally deficient if you are unable to hide your true nature and play nice with the normal boys and girls.

We do live in a culture where it's considered normal to lie back and allow our problems and limitations beat us, waving our arms in the air until the state come in and make it all better. I know of one family whose son is autistic, and neither of his parents work. The state pay for them to live, they pay their rent, they pay for their food, they pay for their car - and their son is only living with them every other week, and he's out at a day centre every day from 9am to 4pm. They have him all day Saturday and Sunday 1 weekend out of 2, and every evening Monday to Friday one week out of 2. I'm not sure quite how that justifies having everything paid for, when I look back over not just myself and autism, but my brother and sister and all the problems my parents had to cope with and manage at the same time as having to go out and work hard just to get enough money to put food on the table.

If it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg, I'd say go for it. The tests I got during my diagnoses were pretty thorough. At that point, I was still in the denial stage and tried to downplay things. Didn't work. One benefit is that when explaining your AS to others, there's less chance of others feeling you invented a condition for yourself to have an excuse for whatever shortcomings you have or to feel "special". (or, in case of a phase of self-doubt, have the feeling you made excuses for yourself) It'll definitely help with the acception process. While it's not a disease or illness, it IS something that can be tricky to spot and determine accurately.

Make sure you are insured or you live somewhere where the insurance company has to insure Asperger's Syndrome.

if it isn't effecting your work or every-day life, don't waste your time.