Slightly over a 12 months in the past, I began to surprise if possibly I used to be autistic.
Not one to let issues go (also referred to as hyperfixation), my exploration led me to studying scientific books about autism spectrum dysfunction (ASD) and memoirs by autistic folks, listening to numerous podcasts about autism, and searching up assets and details about ASD on-line. I even began seeing a therapist who focuses on working with neurodivergent sufferers and who has indicated she agrees with my self-diagnosis.
Despite all of that, I felt that it was vital for me to discover an official prognosis by way of testing. The complete course of took me roughly 10 months, and having simply accomplished it, listed here are a number of the questions I had going into the method – with solutions from my very own expertise.
1. Do I should be examined to determine as autistic?
From what I realized, the brief and straightforward reply to this query is completely not. The autistic and neurodivergent group are very open to self-diagnosis, and with the myriad flaws within the medical testing mannequin for autism, many adults battle to get something greater than an “inconclusive” outcome from testing. If having an official autism prognosis doesn’t make a distinction to you and the assist you have to succeed, there’s no motive to spend the time, vitality, and cash to undergo the method.
I selected to undergo the method for 2 causes. First, I needed to have the ability to write about my prognosis with out having neurotypical folks query it. I view it as an underline to my prognosis in that means. Second, there are folks in my life that have been struggling to know and settle for my self-diagnosis. The testing outcome and official prognosis have helped me to maneuver my conversations with them about being autistic ahead.
2. How lengthy does autism testing take?
While this reply will doubtless differ, it took me roughly 10 months from placing my title on the ready record to prognosis. Nine months of that have been spent on the ready record, so the vast majority of my testing and prognosis occurred inside a month.
This is prone to differ relying on the assets obtainable in your specific space, the kind of assist you want or don’t want, and whether or not there’s a devoted grownup testing facility and even an choice for grownup testing at close by autism services.
3. What was the testing like?
Testing could differ relying in your age, forms of signs, the power you go to, the kind of testing skilled you’re working with, and different doable elements.
My testing – which didn’t embody the cognitive testing portion – consisted of two appointments and several other types to fill out. The first appointment was a video dialog with the clinician, during which they requested me to supply medical historical past, why I assumed I is perhaps autistic, and details about varied behaviors and thought processes. At that time, there have been two choices: Either the clinician would resolve I didn’t want additional testing and finish the method, or she may refer me for additional testing. My clinician requested a follow-up in-person appointment based mostly on my responses. She additionally despatched my companion and me a number of types to fill out (I stuffed out three to 4, and he stuffed out one) to price my behaviors on varied scales.
At the in-person appointment, my clinician started by typically asking what was occurring with me. There was no preamble or different preparation, and it took me a minute to comprehend that was, in actual fact, a part of the take a look at. Other actions included “reading” an image e book, telling tales about varied objects, figuring out an image, speaking about my work, and usually speaking about my pursuits and life. The appointment was roughly 90 minutes lengthy.
During this session, the clinician noticed my bodily behaviors (like eye contact or stimming), my potential to interact in back-and-forth dialog, my potential to determine and speak about feelings, and issues like voice modulation (whether or not my voice would get loud when speaking about issues).
4. Now what?
A few weeks after the in-person appointment, I had one other video appointment with my testing skilled, throughout which she identified me with ASD degree one. She shared the observations she made that introduced her to this prognosis, in addition to the self-reported and other-reported behaviors she gleaned from the types my companion and I stuffed out. She additionally emailed me a full report (which is lengthy, and I’m nonetheless working my means by way of it).
For adults particularly, the testing course of will not be as definitive as mine was. It just isn’t unusual for somebody to self-diagnose after which obtain an “inconclusive” prognosis. In speaking with varied professionals, I’ve realized that this usually has extra to do with the take a look at and course of itself. Despite intensive data now being obtainable to point out that autism is a wider set of traits and behaviors than initially thought, many professionals offering testing companies nonetheless adhere to an older definition that tends to narrowly apply autistic behaviors to kids solely, and extra particularly, to male kids.
If you might be an grownup and are simply beginning your journey with autism prognosis, testing could or will not be for you, however there are many assets obtainable to assist in your journey. I’ve realized probably the most from studying varied books and speaking with different autistic people, in addition to listening to podcasts by and with autistic folks.
While I’m relieved to have an official prognosis, that in itself won’t doubtless change how I hunt down and organize assist for myself – one thing I’ve been studying to do over the previous 12 months and a half. And I imagine (and hope) that each little bit I do to coach others about what autism means for me helps another person with their very own autism journey.
Kristen Abell is director of web site and digital initiatives, author, and advocate for psychological well being and neurodivergence.