Page 1 of 1 [ 8 posts ] 

Radon123
Butterfly
Butterfly

User avatar

Joined: 26 Mar 2015
Posts: 16

17 Dec 2016, 7:34 pm

I'm confused. Years ago as a kid I was diagnosed with Asperger's, mild Asperger's, but in the years following, I was undiagnosed. I am socially awkward, though I can read and understand intuitively facial expressions and the like. I've always had pretty much one all engrossing interest throughout my life, one that I always think about pretty much. Overall, I would say that it's more like I have a lack of interest in social relationships outside of my immediate family. I've also always had little tactile things throughout my life, like switching socks when I put them on my feet because one sock just "doesn't feel right" on either of my feet.

I had testing done by professional neuropsychologists recently, they determined I did not have Asperger's, but did acknowledge me having restricted interests and social awkwardness. They determined that I did not have Asperger's because it was excluded by my having being diagnosed earlier with Schizoaffective and Schizotypal personality disorders. However, my current psychiatrist says he does not think that I have Schizoaffective disorder.

Of course, I still might have Schizotypal personality disorder, but I don't think restricted intense interests and some of the tactile issues I have are part of that condition. It just feels more Aspergerish to me. Social awkwardness is part of Schizotypal personality disorder, largely being caused by the extreme social paranoia that it causes.

But there are aspects of Schizotypal personality disorder that just don't feel like I fit into, leaving the option of a possibility of mild Asperger's still open for me.

But I'm not sure. So, to those with experience working with Asperger's and also those who have Asperger's themselves, what are your thoughts? Do I have Asperger's? Does it sound like I do?

I'd greatly appreciated any quality help.

Thanks!



the_phoenix
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 30 Jan 2008
Gender: Female
Posts: 2,489
Location: up from the ashes

17 Dec 2016, 7:49 pm

The thing is, you know yourself better than I do.
That said, you were diagnosed when you were younger.
Do you think you've become more NT since then?



Exuvian
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 16 Aug 2016
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Posts: 822

17 Dec 2016, 8:11 pm

The things you mentioned do sound pretty "aspie-ish" in my opinion. Someone on the milder end can later "test out" of official diagnosis as you naturally learn and apply adaptive skills.

"Officially", no one has Aspergers since 2013 when the label was dropped and merged with autism at large in the DSM-5. I'm assuming that's not what your neuropsych evaluaters or you meant to imply though. But I do wonder if the loss of this specific label can make it harder to "classify" people now or even easier to mis-classify.

Are you able to get re-evaluated at another facility? Maybe getting a second opinion would help clarify.



AngryAngryAngry
Velociraptor
Velociraptor

Joined: 11 Feb 2016
Age: 48
Gender: Male
Posts: 496
Location: New Zealand

17 Dec 2016, 9:08 pm

Second opinions are what matter. Get more diagnosises done.



Noca
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 9 May 2015
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,932
Location: Canada

17 Dec 2016, 10:39 pm

Autism/Aspergers has many, many, many different traits. Scour the internet(including WP) and make a list of all the traits that apply to you, include specific examples in your life that correspond to each trait, then take that to someone who specializes in assessing adults on the autism spectrum and use that list to make your case as part of the assessment.

This will give your asessor the complete picture and the most information from which to make a diagnosis, not just the traits that happen to show during your asessment or just those that you can specifically remember to raise or remember examples of.



ZombieBrideXD
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 26 Jan 2013
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Posts: 2,507
Location: Canada

17 Dec 2016, 11:02 pm

Sure why not,


_________________
Obsessing over Sonic the Hedgehog since 2009
Diagnosed with Aspergers' syndrome in 2012.
Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 severity without intellectual disability and without language impairment in 2015.

DA: http://mephilesdark123.deviantart.com


schopenhauer with a keyboard
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

Joined: 26 Nov 2016
Gender: Male
Posts: 141

18 Dec 2016, 1:44 am

yes most likely. we don't all have trouble with reading facial expressions, tones, emotions, etc.
i'm not even sure being a schizoid on its own is really thing.. i think that's usually misdiagnosed asperger's as there's pretty much a 100% overlap from what i've read.
either that or 'acquired asperger's', but you'd probably know if you were normal in the past.



Exuvian
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 16 Aug 2016
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Posts: 822

18 Dec 2016, 2:24 pm

Noca wrote:
Autism/Aspergers has many, many, many different traits. Scour the internet(including WP) and make a list of all the traits that apply to you, include specific examples in your life that correspond to each trait, then take that to someone who specializes in assessing adults on the autism spectrum and use that list to make your case as part of the assessment.

This will give your asessor the complete picture and the most information from which to make a diagnosis, not just the traits that happen to show during your asessment or just those that you can specifically remember to raise or remember examples of.

Maybe even before entering the office, OP could also include on the list those specific traits which don't apply. That's assuming it's not hoped that the assessor will fill in those blanks. Even so, it might be helpful to enter the room already aware of those points.