Hi I'm Sarah. In August 2015 my psychatrist and community psych nurse decided I fitted the symptoms of aspergers and reffered me to the Place were they test specifically autism and aspergers. With in months I saw a speech and laungage therapist, a psychatrist and a psychologist. It took about 6 months in total to get my diagnosis. There were alot of questionnaires, a lot of face to face questioning and with the psychologist I did a ADOS test. I think that's what it was called anyway. I looked at ur profile and realise ur from great Brit too like me so maybe u can expect the same. I found out I do have aspergers. I'm 26. If u have any other questions about it just add me and we can private message about it all. Good luck.

Hi,

Thanks for the post.

I was diagnosed in my 30s. For a little while before my diagnosis, I had suspected that I had Aspergers. And for many years before I had even heard of Aspergers, I thought that something like it might be true of me.

Being diagnosed helped me to learn about myself and make more sense of my life. The process of self-realization took time, and certainly understanding Aspergers was only one part of better understanding myself, but I am living a more fulfilling life now. I think that you might have a similar experience after being diagnosed, but the changes might happen gradually.

I hope you'll keep us up to date on how you're doing.

hi, I see you are in the UK like me.

I got referred to my local mental health team - I'm alot older than you, 56 and I con't remember doing any forms. I did have intereviews with a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist.

They also phoned my mother (now in her 70s) for some early history stuff.

thanks for replies. I was told could take upto a year before seen the forms i filled in were one i did (supposed be parents but not on good terms and they dont know, prefer it that way) another was done by someone who knew me. As not alot people do my kids dad filled this in. I dont no if this will be correct diagnosis as i dont have ocd aspects only strugle socially etc not good with feelings eitner

that's a really long time. From memory it was a few months between GP referral and my appointment and the diagnosis letter.

Unfortunately all health services including the mental health stuff seems to be variable over the country.

what are you hoping to get as a result of diagnosis? I was told it means I'm included under the disability act (as was) but aprt from that and self knowledge (which is also helpful) it is as one doctor noted untreatable. Of course if it's not autism it might be something treatable.

to be honest i just want anwsers. It will let me know whats wrong with me etc. Nieve i no but i dont really know all thats wrong with me. I see a pycologist at moment currently not on meds (i dont see diff on them than off them?), its hard for them gage if need them due to me unable to tell how i feel (have go on what someone else has said to me ). No ones come out an said anything. Ive had gps mention sad and major depression. Ive seen cognitive behavoural therapists twice (only touched surface i think) an seen cpn twice too.

I really hope your Dx does not take a year or more, that sounds miserable! Aspergers affects females differently than males, and most info out there is about male aspergers/autism. So if you read about it, make sure to include info specifically about female aspergers. Also, no two people have the same symptoms, and you won't have all the symptoms. Unfortunately you have to wait and see what the professionals say. Hoping that happens quickly!

moonbeams is correct, ASD looks diferent in women - it's made even more complicated in that Austism Spectrum Disorder is a group of disorders - it's not a single disorder that you have to differing degrees. So that means some people won't have some of the key features. And, it has to be said, most of the websites on the subject are just plain wrong.

In the UK you don't get meds for ASD - but you might need them for associated problems, depression or anxiety.

One tip - I've found I'm highly sensitive to meds and I think I've seen this mentioned elsewhere - so your required doses if you need to be on meds (any med) might be lower than most.

My experience of CBT is that it's not so great for people who are reasonably self aware or for people who have had more than the usual childhood issues.

My husband was tested at age 52 or 53. Our whole family had been neuropsych tested and got various diagnoses so we were very familiar with the process. The tester was a psychiatric nurse practitioner and she knew after about 5 minutes of talking to him. He tested so typical that she didn't even have us do the more expensive confirmatory tests. Most of the time he forgets the diagnosis. He has that savant thing going on so he doesn't understand why the world doesn't think as fast and as brilliantly as him. What he lacks in verbal skills and social appropriateness he makes up for times a hundred with the kind things he does. He has the energy of 10 people and since I have some severe chronic illnesses I depend on him very much. It is not a terrible thing. The world won't end it just changes. When you understand yourself better you can work with who you are to bring about positive outcomes with the things you want to do. I hope you get speedy answers and have some good positive supportive people around.
Kerry

I was diagnosed when I was still in school.

I self diagnosed two years ago when I was 53 but couldn't work up the courage to have this diagnosis confirmed until last year.

Since knowledge is power, I'm really glad to know why I am the way I am. I used to have horrible problems with depression because I couldn't understand why I never seemed to fit in ... and now I know ... and because I know my depression is GONE. Hurrah!

I don't know about the rest of you, but having received a diagnosis, I gave myself permission to embrace my reclusive tendencies and with the exception of work, I'm now quite introverted.

When the weekend rolls around, I come home and I don't want to see anyone. I don't want to talk to anyone. I turn my cell phone off and refuse to answer the door unless I'm expecting company which almost never happens because I ended one relationship and have become distant with friends.

I suppose my behavior flies in the face of conventional thought because we're all supposed to be making an effort to socialize ... but quite frankly, I don't see the point.

I'm 55 years old. I've spent 54 years trying to fit in and I'm tired of it.

My life is much more simple now. I have work and I have home and my 3 cats at home are just enough company that I don't ever feel lonely.

Life is good.

DC1346, so glad you feel this way, too. After finding out as an adult, I decided it was time to embrace me for who I am and to stop trying to force myself to fit into a mold that wasn't made for me. My stress level has plummeted and I enjoy my life so much more.