Question

[ICEolation]

Why is my intro post here not working when I try to post it?

[ICEolation]

Hello I'm new here to this site and group. I'm also new to learning about autism. I've been accidentally learning about neorodivergence and (sp), autistic traits, and I'm kinda in shock as to how much of what I'm hearing sounds JUST LIKE ME!

I shared this with my last therapist (which I fired) and she poo pooed the thought of me getting tested for autism. She said, "Do you really want another diagnosis? It may cause more problems for you. " She also mentioned something about the stereotyping. Which makes no sense that she'd say that to me because I really don't give a rat's behind what people that don't matter, think about me. I don't let outside factors control me, even when they are by the masses. I do understand how that does affects outcomes though

Like wtf was she even talking about!? Should I get tested? I read that part of the testing is they talk to people who've known you for a long time. I'm not really in contact with anyone I'd trust to participate.

My family has a very judgmental view of me because I'm the only one who's dealt with our disgusting family secret. And trying to get informational conversation outta my mother is like milking a rock! So.... could they even make a diagnosis without that part?

I'm 58 and want to know all the reasons for why I'm the way I am. I've felt different my entire life. How can we fix something we know nothing about...

All advice is much appreciated.

💜

[Saju21 in reply to ICEolation]

I think your last therapist demonstrated all the prejudices!

I would find a therapist who has experience of ND/ASD and keep on self reading. Getting a formal diagnosis may not impact you at your stage of life. There is no treatment or pills but self awareness and self care will help. Will a fix help with your family only you know but it’s an expensive process- in the UK it’s £2.5k.

[ICEolation in reply to Saju21]

Thank you for your reply, I didn't get a notification? Are there different settings for each community?

I feel that a diagnosis would validate a lot of things for me. It would answer many questions for me and them if they even accepted the results, who knows if they would or not.

[sjof]

Hello ICEolation,

I was formally diagnosed in my 70’s, and while you will not likely get services at your age, you will gain an understanding of, as you say, why you are the way you are.

After my autism diagnosis I also found that I am ADHD (in autism parlay I am now auDHD). Another piece of my puzzle includes aphantasia and SDAM, all of which are contributing factors in my work to accept who I am.

These discoveries at a late age have been the best thing that could have happened to me. Yes, I struggle and this whole business has been extremely difficult. But I now have a therapist who is helping me discover how to drop the mask and move forward.

My family is also not interested, and so I have moved on.

Lastly, I don’t know what state you live in but there are clinical psychologists who do adult autism evaluations. My insurance covered my eval, but you should know there will likely be long wait times for an assessment.

Take care

[ICEolation in reply to sjof]

Thank you for sharing.

I'm not sure what you mean by, "Services" I'm already permanently disabled due to CPTSD. What's another diagnosis...

Health care where I live is deplorable. I've got to travel more than an hour one way to get half decent general medical care. It's a small rural area where the gossip mongers rule. They have no care about hippa, and talk about everyone and their issues. The FBI has even come in and raided the local clinic because of a DOCTOR sharing doing disgusting things.

I am completely on my own here with a narcissistic sister who controls the narrative even though I've cut her out of my life. She knows everyone here. She's the golden child, the know it all, the one that throws money around like it's just regular paper.

I'm used to self advocating to get my needs met. I'll figure it out.