Having a diagnosis might make a difference and can be helpful to know. I’ve had a cornucopia of diagnoses over the years and was tagged with Bipolar Disorder at age of 42 in the midst of a drug abuse problem. It stuck for over 15 years, resulted in years of meds and outlandish medical bills.
I was eventually hooked up with rehabilitative social worker who after 15 minutes talking in a Starbucks said “Hey, has anyone ever told you you have Aspergers ?” He had training and experience with clients on the spectrum and it was obvious to him based on my thinking and behavior.
Short answer is I probably do, but I got different opinions. Yes from an expert and a rather abrupt dismissal from someone not trained in the field.
It had been a nightmare with the meds. Happily off meds for years now and relatively healthy.
This is extremely relatable and frankly, it's nice to hear an adult man say it. I've written about similar experiences, but it's hard to shake the fear I'll be dismissed as a twenty-something girl who spends too much time online. I am definitely too online, but that doesn't mean I'm not describing something real and difficult. I think that's the main driver toward desiring a diagnosis—it makes it real—your stuggle becomes validated, inherently believable, and people begin to take your experiences seriously.
“we walk alone in the world, friends such as we desire are dreams and fables.” I came across this quote about 50 years ago and eventually learned how true it is for everyone.
you might be autistic if you know to look for social-cues and you know what they mean, but you can't see them no matter how much you talk to people. But if you haven't been taught any social-skills, and you don't know to look for them, and you can't even see them, that's not autism. That's a failure of schooling
What a nicely written, candid account. Thank you for sharing all that so honestly and eloquently.
Having a diagnosis might make a difference and can be helpful to know. I’ve had a cornucopia of diagnoses over the years and was tagged with Bipolar Disorder at age of 42 in the midst of a drug abuse problem. It stuck for over 15 years, resulted in years of meds and outlandish medical bills.
I was eventually hooked up with rehabilitative social worker who after 15 minutes talking in a Starbucks said “Hey, has anyone ever told you you have Aspergers ?” He had training and experience with clients on the spectrum and it was obvious to him based on my thinking and behavior.
Short answer is I probably do, but I got different opinions. Yes from an expert and a rather abrupt dismissal from someone not trained in the field.
It had been a nightmare with the meds. Happily off meds for years now and relatively healthy.
This is extremely relatable and frankly, it's nice to hear an adult man say it. I've written about similar experiences, but it's hard to shake the fear I'll be dismissed as a twenty-something girl who spends too much time online. I am definitely too online, but that doesn't mean I'm not describing something real and difficult. I think that's the main driver toward desiring a diagnosis—it makes it real—your stuggle becomes validated, inherently believable, and people begin to take your experiences seriously.
Thank you for your candour, and a beautifully written piece.
Great piece. A lot I can relate to!
“we walk alone in the world, friends such as we desire are dreams and fables.” I came across this quote about 50 years ago and eventually learned how true it is for everyone.
you might be autistic if you know to look for social-cues and you know what they mean, but you can't see them no matter how much you talk to people. But if you haven't been taught any social-skills, and you don't know to look for them, and you can't even see them, that's not autism. That's a failure of schooling