Regarding Autism Self Diagnosis #
How to get an autism diagnosis 1
- Be me.
- Get misdiagnosed as ADHD at age 10.
- Get prescribed Ritalin, lose all semblance of sleep order and circadian rhythm.
- Revolt and stop taking the drugs at age 14.
- Learn about autism at age 27. "Wait, isn't that just like, normal, though?"
- Learn that everyone isn't normal like me. Most people are different!
- Study autism for 10 years. Become somewhat convinced that it might apply. Would explain the multitude of sensory issues, social/emotional difficulties, overwhelm, burnout, meltdowns.
- Discuss with therapist, he agrees.
- Continue studying for 5 more years. Still not 100% sure, but seems likely.
- Learn that hEDS and autism are highly comorbid, explains the hypermobility, soft stretchy skin, and POTS.
- Learn that GI and skin issues are highly comorbid with autism, explains the psoriasis and the butt stuff.
- Almost sure now.
- Learn that Low Dose Naltrexone can reduce the intensity of sensory hypersensitivity due to ASD.
- Write an email to my doctor: "As you know, I'm autistic. I have learned of these studies showing that LDN can help reduce the intensity of sensory hypersensitivity." Doc says, "Sure it's safe, but talk to psych anyway."
- Psych meets with me for 30 minutes and asks several questions pulled from the DSM-5 criteria for BPD, bipolar, ADHD, ASD, few other things.
15 YEARS OF INDEPENDENT RESEARCH to get "self diagnosed", and ONE (1) 30-MINUTE CONVERSATION to get "officially" diagnosed. THAT'S RIGHT, IT'S DOCTOR APPROVED NOW, SO Y'ALL ELITIST ANTI-SELF-DX ASSHATS CAN EAT AN ENTIRE BAG OF DICKS! #
I was misdiagnosed as ADHD when I was a kid. That was just clearly wrong, extremely obvious at the time to anyone who'd taken the time to actually look at the diagnostic criteria and look at me, and the drugs did actual harm to me. And I figured this out, myself, 4 years after being diagnosed at age 10 by a medical professional, and I was a fucking child of 14 years old at the time.
Unlike that official diagnosis of ADHD that I got at age 10, an incorrect self diagnosis has never harmed anyone.
Doctors are less invested in our health than we are, less motivated to educate themselves about the most recent findings in the research, and they don't actually suffer the consequences of getting it wrong. Self diagnosis isn't just "also valid", it's in many cases and for many purposes far more valid than an official screening.
No one's self diagnosis is "stealing resources" or causing autism to be taken less seriously. Autism isn't taken seriously, never has been, so this concern is tragically absurd. Autistic adults know full well that we need to be screened by a professional in order to qualify for any treatment or other serious accommodations. But doing the work of self diagnosis ahead of an official screening by a psychotherapist or psychiatrist is unfortunately a critical step if you want to avoid being misdiagnosed and potentially subjected to drugs and treatment that are unhelpful or even profoundly harmful.
Self diagnosis never once made me "feel special". I don't feel special to be autistic. In fact, I felt a lot more "special" when I thought all my stereotypically autistic traits were entirely unique to me! Autism has shown me that I'm an extremely average example of a pretty big community. There are other people just like me! That's fun. That's very special. It's allowed me to find community and acceptance. It allowed me to be less special, to be normal. Which, honestly, is really nice.
Everyone who decides to get an official autism screening with a mental health professional must have at some point come to the conclusion for themselves that they are likely autistic, or else why bother? So self diagnosis is often actually a component and requirement of an official diagnosis.
If you are against self diagnosis, I'm going to assume you are ignorant and just hate autistic people (and likely, all disabled adults) until proven otherwise.
1: Not the only way to get one, of course. back