so I'm most likely autistic

[evenifigoalone]

I don't plan on seeking a formal, finalized paper diagnosis. Because there are many downsides to doing so: thousands of $$ in cost, it affects the ability to be able to immigrate to other countries, most autism assessors are not equipped to diagnose adults, you are likely to be denied organ transplants, you are more likely to be treated as intellectually inferior by drs, schools, employers, etc.

I have, however, talked with my therapist about it and my nurse practitioner to get their thoughts, they both agree it is very likely. Though they are not equipped to diagnose me, even if I wanted that. I have also expressed my concerns with them about the problems with an official diagnosis.
I have also inquired my mom about my infancy and toddlerhood, asking if I had any early signs, and she was able to identify multiple of them.

That, and when I mentioned this possibility to people who know me, I have multiple times gotten a response akin to "yes, I thought so" or "I thought you already knew that"


The diagnostic criteria for autism includes a lengthy list of social deficits, ranging from "social-emotional reciprocity", problems or an inability to recognize non-verbal communication, to problems developing, maintaining or understanding social relationships.
That is "criteria A".
"Criteria B" involves having at least 2 of 4 traits: restrictive or repetitive behaviors, insistent on routines or ritualized behavior patterns, super intense interests, and sensory difficulties. (I meet 3 out of 4 of these.)


I would be what is now called "level 1", meaning that while I do have very real support needs they are considered minimal or not significantly substantial in comparison to levels 2 or 3.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

If it’s any encouragement, I was listening to Dr Jordan Peterson describe an autistic lecturer who has a PhD and designed a particular farm apparatus BECAUSE she was autistic and therefore understood how animals think. He said it was clear she is autistic, but she was able to overcome some traits enough to become professionally successful.

There’s a tv series called The Good Doctor which we watch and I’ve learned a lot about these kinds of struggles. There’s also one about a Korean lawyer who is autistic. These two are extremely bright and are deeply honest.

Anyway, those are tv shows. The lecturer isn’t. But society is being made aware of this challenge.

But I do agree. A good friend has an inherited eye condition whereby his field of vision is narrowing. He could get financial help but said if he tells potential employers, they won’t hire him. Leftist decry prejudice (supposed) against an ethnic minority which is particularly ironic when the ones doing the complaining are from that group and are government officials in high paying jobs, but who decrys a prejudice against the handicapped?

 

[GodsGrace]

If it’s any encouragement, I was listening to Dr Jordan Peterson describe an autistic lecturer who has a PhD and designed a particular farm apparatus BECAUSE she was autistic and therefore understood how animals think. He said it was clear she is autistic, but she was able to overcome some traits enough to become professionally successful.

There’s a tv series called The Good Doctor which we watch and I’ve learned a lot about these kinds of struggles. There’s also one about a Korean lawyer who is autistic. These two are extremely bright and are deeply honest.

Anyway, those are tv shows. The lecturer isn’t. But society is being made aware of this challenge.

But I do agree. A good friend has an inherited eye condition whereby his field of vision is narrowing. He could get financial help but said if he tells potential employers, they won’t hire him. Leftist decry prejudice (supposed) against an ethnic minority which is particularly ironic when the ones doing the complaining are from that group and are government officials in high paying jobs, but who decrys a prejudice against the handicapped?

Dr. Temple Grandin.
We have all her books.

 

[Milk-Drops]

Yeah, I would not encourage the paper diagnosis. As someone who had to declare my ADHD status with employer, it's a headache. We have talked and I am gully confident you will have a great career(s) ahead of you. Froggo to Puppo.

 

[D-D-W]

My oldest granddaughter (in highschool) has been diagnosed as autistic. Her mom, my middle daughter, gave me a book a few years ago called "Look Me in the Eye" by John Elder Robison. It describes him growing up in the spectrum and the struggles he had. It also described some interesting abilities it gave him, like seeing an electronic schematic of of an audio circuit (like a guitar effects box) and knowing exactly what it would sound like.

My daughter gave me the book because she recognized some of the symptoms in me. So I most likely am mildly autistic also. I know my maternal maternal great grandmother was a Savant in mathematics. That is also part of the spectrum.

 

[Riven]

Yeah, I would not encourage the paper diagnosis. As someone who had to declare my ADHD status with employer, it's a headache. We have talked and I am gully confident you will have a great career(s) ahead of you. Froggo to Puppo.

I didn't know employers actually had to know that stuff.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I didn't know employers actually had to know that stuff.

They don't. Disclosing any sort of disability can be a risk. But sometimes you need to have accommodations to be able to continue working

 

[Milk-Drops]

I didn't know employers actually had to know that stuff.

Normally they don't. I have to see a specialist every few months to keep my meds. I'm a Normally functioning adult otherwise. My current employment has a very strict policy for attendance and outside medical time off. There is a clinic on site that is heavily suggested we use. The clinic can not perceive my meds without meeting certain criteria. My job is very spiteful to those who the time off f9r any reason. My time off requests started getting denied on the basis they had their own clinic I went a year without meds and it almost destroyed my life.due to withdrawals and sudden panic attacks from going cold turkey and adjusting to being on them for as long as I was. The only way to get back on my meds was to threaten a lawsuit based on disability discrimination that my Doctor was helping me with. That is how they found out.

 

[Iconoclast]

Truth is everyone has some degree of being on the spectrum. That is a consequence of the fall.
Make sure your nutrition is stable. Be thankful you are aware of whatever limitations you have.
Pray, asking God to make you be the best person you can be, even with any perceived shortcomings.

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

 

[evenifigoalone]

No, not everyone is "a little autistic". Being able to relate to a few traits of autism doesn't mean you have it. You have to be significantly impaired to qualify for diagnosis, and there is strict criteria that must be met.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I dunno

Does it change the nature of treatment?

 

[evenifigoalone]

How do you mean?

It does mean that some of my previous stuff can be explained by autism, yeah, so it does affect my treatment somewhat.
But there isn't much in the way of autism treatment for adults, and the ABA stuff they use on children is actually harmful. ABA is actually conversion therapy repackaged, true story.
There are no meds, etc for autism, mainly there are accommodations and ways to deal with distress caused by it.

 

[Milk-Drops]

I dunno

Does it change the nature of treatment?

Yes. I worked in the field that assisted people with Debilitating forms of Autism. I think there are 5 forms? I could be corrected on that. A lot of what used to be considered Aspergers and High functioning Autism is types 1 and 2. Impairments, but with adjustments van lead normal productive lives. 3 on up start to get hairy. I helped a lot that were full non verbal or had zero grasp of social norms.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I did talk to my therapist today about my concerns with my ability to live independently. She thinks I probably can, I may just need extra help with certain things.
I'm looking to give someone power of attorney over my finances cuz I'm unable to budget my paycheck well. Believe me, been working on this for two or three years now and I'm not much closer to solving it.

 

[Riven]

Normally they don't. I have to see a specialist every few months to keep my meds. I'm a Normally functioning adult otherwise. My current employment has a very strict policy for attendance and outside medical time off. There is a clinic on site that is heavily suggested we use. The clinic can not perceive my meds without meeting certain criteria. My job is very spiteful to those who the time off f9r any reason. My time off requests started getting denied on the basis they had their own clinic I went a year without meds and it almost destroyed my life.due to withdrawals and sudden panic attacks from going cold turkey and adjusting to being on them for as long as I was. The only way to get back on my meds was to threaten a lawsuit based on disability discrimination that my Doctor was helping me with. That is how they found out.

That sounds rather dystopian. You still work for them even after threatening a lawsuit?

 

[Milk-Drops]

That sounds rather dystopian. You still work for them even after threatening a lawsuit?

It's the highest paying job in the area. This was during covid. I was forced to stay home 2 weeks when I got bronchitis. All my vacation was flushed. So when I went for my next Dr. Visit that's when the company started writing me up. To them I can understand. What looked like a normal guy was randomly claiming they had a disablity while a large chunk of the plant was abusing the call off system during covid. They didn't take me seriously until I started to violently stim from over stimulation and burn out.

 

[Milk-Drops]

It's gotten better, an HR rep that no longer works there basicly thought I was faking my disability.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Omg

Power of attorney?!?!! Voluntarily?!?!?!? Noooooooooooo

 

[jasonc]

Omg

Power of attorney?!?!! Voluntarily?!?!?!? Noooooooooooo

Honestly while not perfect ,credit card debt and bankruptcy will hem you up .

Trust me. I can't apply for any loan without paying the court to examine if I can afford it .if I do get a loan and they don't know it they can dismiss the bankruptcy which is a far worse thing .

I looked into a loan for my roof and decided to simply wait and save cash .I'm a little over a year out from it's pay off .

 

[evenifigoalone]

Omg

Power of attorney?!?!! Voluntarily?!?!?!? Noooooooooooo

I honestly think I'm going to run my finances into bigger and bigger problems without it