My Autism Diagnosis

[@fatehakamal2941]

I was diagnosed with autism at age 19. I was given a referral since I showed more symptoms of autism than other disorders/disabilities doctors were testing me for. It took me 3 years to get my diagnosis. I am the first one in the family of siblings, aunts, uncle, cousins, and elder people.

[@Sunny10tv]

I was also diagnosed at 19 by an outside psychologist back then. It took pretty much from 1993 when I entered private school to 2007 to get a real diagnosis. The Christian private school's saw I had a "learning disability" from the start but told my parent's they didn't have the resources to educate a child with learning disabilities so referred me to public school in 1996. I was tested multiple times by both in school psychologist's & outside psychologist's. They told my parent's I would learn but at a slower pace & because I looked normal is why I was harder to diagnose. 🤦‍♀️✌

[@MrJCraft]

I was very happy when I got my diagnosis at the age of I think 16, a little late. I see people wonder whether or not a diagnosis is worth it, it may not be for everyone, but I will tell you why it was so so worth it to me, for many years I hated myself, the hate mainly began when I noticed I was different, I was homeschooled until 6th grade, but when I started going to public school, I was able to compare myself to what normal behavior is, and being introspective, I was very concerned and mad at myself, wondering what was so wrong with me that no one would be my friend, and for a 6th grader that's a pretty big deal, and as I grew older I tried to compensate and make friends, socialize, be "normal", however, it just made me feel crazy as if I was losing my mind, going through episodes of depersonalization, and derealization. I hated myself and I wanted to know why No One paid attention to me, Ignored, and left Alone, Betrayed and Hurt Over and Over again, "why? what is wrong with me?", But, the one thing I found through the diagnosis was that there is NOTHING wrong with me, I am not an outcast, I am not crazy, I am just different. Through getting a diagnosis it brought about self-love, for once in my life I knew it was okay to be me, and that there was nothing wrong with me. so if anyone finds this comment that is wondering whether or not to get a diagnosis I hope that this message helps, but also realize that after the diagnosis I did grieve because I had put on a mask for so long, that I had to grieve the loss of my perceived self, who I thought I was, it was very painful to get a diagnosis, but I am so glad I have one now.

[@AlphaGator9]

I was diagnosed while trying to deal with a severe swing in anxiety and depression. I suspected i might be on the spectrum after my son was diagnosed. But, that had not been my main reason for seeing a therapist, I cannot remember how far along, how many sessions i had been to, but, one day my therapist said, "you know you are on the autism/Aspergers spectrum, right?" I remember my brain sort of derailed... and then i had to go through acceptance period, even though i had suspected before hearing it. I was 48 - 5 years ago. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@YaGotdamBoi]

I just got my diagnosis of autism not even a full week ago, and it honestly feels so good just to know I’m not “wrong” in the world, the world is just not very accommodating. I’m also so so lucky that my friends and family are so accepting of my diagnosis and supportive and happy for me too, like I honestly didn’t expect such a good reaction. I imagine I’ll eventually have to deal with people trying to normalize me or deny my diagnosis, so I’m kinda bracing for that, but hearing from other autistics about their experiences dealing with that will hopefully help. Thank you for sharing your story, it feels so good not feeling alone anymore! 💕💕💕

[@musicmama2864]

Thanks for sharing this. Level 1 is tricky, because masking makes it not seem like what people expect to see.

[@Mrfurball25]

I was terrible at masking when I was younger. I’ve gotten better now

[@NeurodiverJENNt]

Thank you for sharing. This is part of the reason why I am nervous about starting my own KZbin channel because I know everyone will tell me I can't be autistic even though I received a professional diagnosis... But thank you for sharing your story and being brave and continuing on to help others despite the haters. People really will find anything to argue about online

[@ThanksHermione]

I was diagnosed at 24. I mentioned having academic problems in college to my mom. She found a psychologist who specialized in diagnosing young adults with learning disorders. I went through a series of tests for days. She interviewed my mom in private. Thankfully she specialized in autism.

[@BarbaraMerryGeng]

I have been through so many intakes throughout the course of my life. It is unfortunate - that these “ intakes “ / which are quite personal & probing..- are so nerve wracking & uncomfortable. I never knew why I had to answer these questions - and I never knew what the findings were ( from any of these intakes. I never asked & the various counselors never included me on these findings. - To me, all intakes feel like interrogation. - I’m so sensitive to strangers ! Yuck !!

[@colleenhowe5035]

You shouldn't have to defend your diagnosis. I think some people have a very fixed idea of autism, so find it difficult to understand the various ways it is for different people.

[@sandralantau7395]

I agree that you shouldn't have to defend your diagnosis. I also wonder if the people who question your diagnosis are themselves triggered in some way by the fact that you have a diagnosis, i.e. it's actually not about you, it's about them and their own insecurities etc

[@whitneymason406]

Thank you for sharing your experience! My son was diagnosed with autism a year and a half ago. As I began to learn more about autism and how it often presents differently in females I realized at 30 that I may be on the spectrum as well. I am currently seeing a psychologist for about 3 sessions now. It's nerve wracking answering questions and waiting for a diagnosis. Your videos have definitely helped me become more accepting and patient towards myself so thank you!

[@kaitlinp1447]

I was diagnosed today actually!! I’m turning 18 this week so it’s a bit of an ironic way to end my childhood. I was sent to a psychologist as a childhood because it was suggested by my Occupational Therapist, but I was written off as a “stubborn girl.” I was able to get accommodations at school through gifted kid programs because of my hyperlexia, but my symptoms never fully manifested until I reached middle school age. After years of different opinions from various doctors and therapists, I began to revisit my childhood and realized that I was likely on the spectrum. My psychiatrist brought it up before I had even told her what I realized, and we agreed that I would benefit from an official diagnosis :) I was also diagnosed with ADHD and I deal with C-PTSD, but there isn’t an official diagnosis for C-PTSD.

[@kaitlinp1447]

Edit- not as a childhood, as a child

[@towzone]

The reluctance to diagnose is why I had to self diagnose at 51. It changed my life and no professional helped me.

[@Jaichbinhier]

Oh, so this is a diagnosis that takes a few visits... good to know! I'm sorry you felt obligated to defend the diagnosis of a medical professional, But I'm glad you took the time to make this informative video. 🙂 It's helpful for those who want the gist of the process without it being emotional. (Such a diagnosis endeavor is emotional enough as it is, So some people might prefer a primarily informational vid.)

[@viennadesou6546]

Even before my diagnosis I had 3 separate people encourage me to look into it. One was a doctor, one a teacher who worked with kids on the spectrum, and the other my best friend who does social work and helps people on the spectrum as well as having a nephew on the spectrum. I kept reminding her of her nephew, which prompted her to encourage me to look into it (we've also known each other for 20 years and she's seen my highs and lows). Even w/ this, people still doubt my diagnosis b/c they dont actually truly know what autism is. Everyone these days fancies themselves an armchair expert, and they think they can dismiss the actual experts w/ their uninformed opinion.

[@tiiaj7589]

I finally got my formal diagnosis after years of trying to get therapists psychologists etc to listen to me. Had to get it privately done as I still couldn’t really get anyone to take me seriously or not diagnose me as bipolar or some other incorrect thing. Not diagnosing someone as ASD because it’s “permanent” is stupid. It does way more harm than good. When the therapies don’t work the blame is always on the patient, and it turns out because it is ASD and not a ‘fixable’ mental health disorder it wasn’t fixable anyway or needed a completely different approach. So, now I have years of my issues being made worse because of not having the right diagnosis in the first place.

[@tiinacarita3915]

@Tiia J Ootko suomesta? (Nimestä päättelin) On ihan samanlainen kokemus, aikuinen nainen ei millään pääse testeihin täällä.

[@Catlily5]

Bipolar is a permanent diagnosis also so that makes no sense.

[@tiiaj7589]

@@tiinacarita3915 Isäni on syntynyt Suomessa, mutta olen Kanadassa. Valitettavasti en puhu suomea. Haluaisin käydä Suomessa. sukunimeni oli Tuomisto.

[@tiiaj7589]

@@Catlily5 sorry, I don’t remember exactly how this one went, so not sure what you mean doesn’t make sense.

[@Catlily5]

@@tiiaj7589 I mean if a mental health professional does not want to give you a permanent diagnosis why would they label you as bipolar? Bipolar and Autism are both permanent diagnoses. So this professional does not make sense.

[@crashtruthseeker9790]

Diagnosis is hard to get, one of the best things to happen to me was getting the full diagnosis that explains what’s happening to me and what I need to do to stay healthy, I have Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosed when I was 16 and suffered a series of psychotic episodes throughout the years which resulted in me being diagnosed with Schizophrenia officially at 22 and it’s the best thing to happen as I have the full understanding of myself And got a support from family, friends and the psychosis team.

[@garyfrancis5015]

6:49 I'm back watching the video next day. The upload time was good in the UK it was 9:30pm. But then 2 week ago I couldn't get straight to sleep and I was on your live stream 1am UK time. I wasn't the only one DVD and film bloke was in the U.K he was up to.

[@kandikat13]

I found this really helpful, I just had my intake phone call today to get on the waitlist to get in to be diagnosed. It was pretty much just lots of questions about typical autistic traits in childhood and present life. Though it’s a 12 month wait to get an appointment now after that, so that’s going to be fun.

[@Catlily5]

I have a weird Autism diagnosis story. My counselor thought I had Autism because she used to work with Autistic children. I am on disability and kept going to the psychiatric hospital. I was given many various psychiatric diagnoses. My psychiatrist decided to send me to neuropsychological testing. She diagnosed me with 5 or 6 things based on many tests, interviews with me and my family etc. One of the things she diagnosed me with was Childhood Autism (this was in 2007 when I was in my 30's). I read a library book or two on males with Autism and related to some things but not other things. I figured it didn't matter since I only had it as a child. Fast forward about 12 years. I had a case manager for mental health issues. She used to work doing Autism assessments. She was convinced that I was on the spectrum. She tried to get me assessed for Autism but there was a waiting list for the official waiting list for adults in my state. They didn't want to put me on the list. I told my current psychiatrist about the 2007 assessment. She looked it up and said if you had Autism as a child you still have it as an adult. She put Autism on my diagnosis list. That was a year or two ago. So I am now officially diagnosed with Austim as an adult. And I avoided having to wait on a many years long list. My nephew had to wait 2 years on the shorter children's list.

[@JoyBean]

Glad that you are talking about that and I think it is important for others to know each other’s stories and where we came from and where we are heading. Hope that you are having a good week.. I think in certain cases we do generally feel more comfortable with people we relate with. For me I was given those ink blot tests but, I have a learning disability but, not Autism.

[@emma2884]

I feel like I got diagnosed weirdly easily with ASD. I was struggling in university and had a 2 hour interview where she said yes, I'm autistic at the end. I was 22.

[@ACDBunnie]

I hope that's how it goes for me. I'm 22 and looking to get a diagnosis. I've been thinking for the past 5-6 years that I have autism and I've been wanted to get evaluated but struggling in university is making my need to get a diagnosis imminent because I need to access university accomodations (though I go to a uni with little to no student services 😠)

[@emma2884]

@@ACDBunnie I never got any services in college or high school. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 15. I was too overwhelmed by the transition in college to go through all the communication and paper work. I hope your appointment goes well! Some tips, do not mask at all if you can help it. And wear what you would wear if you were having an extreme hypersensitive day.

[@Xankill3r]

I only have a "sort-of" diagnosis right now. I got it from the 4th mental health professional that I consulted (3rd psychiatrist). We went through questionnaires usually meant for children + one that is designed for adolescents. The diagnosis is only "sort-of" because for a confirmation the doctor needs to corroborate all the symptoms and behaviours with my parents and that's not happening XD

[@elsaandersson8410]

I'm zapping around looking for these videos I guess because I'm currently awaiting diagnosis. It's pretty formalised here in Sweden if anyone was curious, even then going for diagnosis as a (young) adult. From what I understand there'll be cognitive tests aplenty, extensive interviewing including with at least one parent to establish symptoms in childhood and some general testing to exclude differential diagnoses including possibly a physical. Oh, and I've been waiting for a year, which is actually quite a short while comparing to other districts. So yeah. That's gonna be a lot .

[@Catlily5]

It is often a longer wait in the USA too.

[@gamerchristina1079]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! 👍👍❤️❤️‼️

[@sadshyguygaming125]

There are always going to be people who will dispute your diagnosis. It doesn't matter why they dispute it. I don't have a diagnosis but I feel misunderstood all the time and I don't expect everyone to always understand me. If someone wants to dispute, challenge, or disagree with me that's fine people can believe whatever they want to. And likewise no matter how much proof you provide some people will not accept something different from what they think is true.

[@ACDBunnie]

I'm 22F and trying to get an autism evaluation. Despite trying, I've never actually been able to be assessed for it.

[@sarahmagoon4032]

Very helpful videos. I really appreciate the things you share.

[@SSJKamui]

For my diagnosis, I had to go to a normal doctor. That doctor needed to give me a referral to a psych ward and this doctor needed to give me a referral for a specific department of another psych ward of another hospital, which just covers autism diagnosises. (This special department was lead by a guy named Kai Vogeley, a german doctor who apparently is in contact with Simon Baron Cohen. Mr. Vogeley was also the one who diagnosed Nicole Schuster, the most famous autistic woman in germany. For a few years, that woman was the go to person for mainstream media if they wanted to report about autism. But then, it got weird. She had some fallouts with neurodiversity advocates (one of the reasons was she wrote pro ABA articles), and then, suddenly, she refused every contact to media and apparently claimed her diagnosis was wrong. Nobody really knows what happened to her, and her place in the german media was instead took over by autistic women who are explicitely anti ABA and pro Neurodiversity. ) Before the diagnostic process started, you need to fill in several questionnaires. It was the 3 tests from simon baron cohen (EQ, SQ, Autism Spectrum Quotient), the Toronto Alixithymia Scale and I think that there was also the Becks Depression Inventory Test normally used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. (This test normally checks for typical thoughts depressed patients have and CBT is basically a therapy aimed at teaching you to stop thinking these thoughts.) The diagnostic process was over 3 days. The first one was a talk with an assistant of that doctor. In this talk, information is gathered about your life history and life circumstances. (They also interview friends and family.) The part I remember the most was, during this interview, I was specifically questioned if I was an incel (I am using the term "incel" in the sense of "being depressed because can`t get a girlfriend". I am not using it in the sense of "woman hating mass murderer". Please understand this important distinction.) This was long before the connection between autism and inceldom became public knowledge. For this talk, you are also asked to bring a lot of evidence about how you were as a child. This can range from childhood photos, to messages from teachers to your parents, report cards from schools with remarks from teachers, written answers from teachers of "how did I behave as a pupil? What do you recollect?" And they especially want to have documents of diagnosises from related conditions like epilepsy. Actually, these questions were indeed nearly identical compared to the first talk to a psychiartrist. Then, on the next date, tests are done. Among these are Empathy tests, an IQ tests (but not a normal IQ Test giving you a number, but instead a test showing if one half of your brain works better than the other half.). One test was the "eye emotion reading test" from Simon Baron Cohen. When they showed me the test, I said "Looks like the procedure used to check if people are replicants or not, used in the movie Blade Runner. But let me tell you. I know nothing about tortoises in the desert.") In the past, MRT and blood sample tests (for testosterone and genetic factors) were also done. But when I arrived there, these tests were abolished for some reason. Then, when the tests say you are likely autistic, you are invited to a last talk with Mr. Vogeley in Person. In this talk, he wants to personally look at you and wants to check if you seem autistic. In my cases, he said I was obviously, clearly autistic, after I spoke 2 sentences. Then, you get a written summary of your diagnosis, and a written referral for CBT. This is because Mr. Vogeley apparently is a big fan of CBT and thinks this works especially well for people with autism. Because of this, everyone of his patients gets send to CBT. (In my cases, CBT did not work at all. ) One problem with the diagnostic process is, in germany, it takes a long time. Longer than medical referrals are valid. Because of this, before you actually have the tests in person, you need to get your referral updated. To do this, you can go to any larger psychiartrist. They basically give you a new referral with the content of " I think that patient needs to be checked if he has autism, because other psychiartrist thought he needed to be checked. But I have never actually seen this patient and thus can't say anything about it." Most people I talked to during the diagnosis process were female doctors. I joked that the organization of the diagnosis process with having this interview, then when passing it going to the next, reminded a lot of the process of auditions and recall auditions seen in shows like american idol. Because the german variant of "american idol" is called "deutschland sucht den superstar"/(germany is looking for the superstar), I called the process "germany is looking for the super autistic). THe interesting thing was: I felt the staff doing the diagnosis was far more interested in helping me with my problems, than the psychologists who were actually treating me.

[@jam7453]

Thank you sharing this. I’m glad that the first psychologist you had went on vacation because that lined you up with a medical professional to better suit your needs & you were able to get your diagnosis & the accommodations that you need for your college to gain your degree(s)!!! What are you pursuing anyway? I hope your experience is going well.

[@StephanieBethany]

I am pursuing a degree to become an occupational therapy assistant!

[@Xankill3r]

On the point of defending one's own diagnosis does anyone else have an issue with impostor syndrome - and having to defend the diagnosis against oneself? That their diagnosis is fake and they're faking it? I wonder if you've faced this Stephanie, only if you want to share of course :)

[@StephanieBethany]

On occasion, the thoughts definitely do come up! For me, I reason with myself. Esp because I have some obvious stims esp in anxious situations, I ask myself how I think thats fake or why would I stim or get upset about simple changes or whatever else when I'm alone if I were faking? That usually helps me because it feels like evidence to dispute baseless fears

[@Xankill3r]

@@StephanieBethany counter-questions actually sound really useful! Going to start doing that now :)

[@Catlily5]

Sometimes I feel like my diagnosis is fake because I am not into routines as much as most people with Autism. One person asked me if I am also diagnosed with ADHD. I said I was. This might be why a few Autistic traits don't apply well to me.

[@ZechariahTienter-rd9bg]

Hi Stephanie I'm.big fan of your videos I'm zechariah tienter I'm on the spectrum to I was diagnosed much younger at age of 3 I'm now 43 yrs old adult with Asperger's autism I live in Texas I love all your videos thank you for all you do to help explain it and brake the stigma of autism I greatly appreciate it your awesome

[@realtalktinaann]

You don't ever have to explain your diagnosis. You just know. I knew before I was officially told. I knew before my kids were diagnosed and I just knew. There are so many who even question because someone is too social when they forget autism spectrum is a spectrum!! We are all different and if you've met one person with autism you've met one person with autism.

[@elibitrick]

I mean personally I got my diagnosis in first grade to my knowledge and then I got another diagnosis in middle school and then high-school and then after high-school amusingly enough that diagnosis after high-school was actually promoted by my aid from school I have to say I never really met someone who didn't get a diagnosis until later but it is rather interesting

[@garyfrancis5015]

I'm not one of the lucky once. I had depression since I was 7 mild depression on and off and on. Few years no depression. Then period of moderate depression. Then in the last 2 year server depression though of suicide. Though like walk in front of speeding car. Jumping of a cliff. So that is servere depression. But not everyone with autism get depressed. So non maskers might get less depressed because their not displaying the fake me.

[@MartKart8]

I've probably mentioned this before, some people can tell right away from my reactions disability.

[@jullieszikszai5708]

When people want us to give them an explanation to defend the diagnosis sometimes I wish I would just stare at them and make them feel awkward

[@fatehakamal2941]

Hi Stephanie 👋

[@StephanieBethany]

Hi hi 👋

[@assinator02hj16]

@@StephanieBethany hi Stephanie!

[@fatehakamal2941]

I am the first one to be born with a disability of any kind in my family. I really love your videos😀

[@MartKart8]

I feel its more of a nurture thing, the way people are brought up, like they see something different and feel that its wrong. Oh I watched a video called Autism & Society: What Is Autism? by Autistamatic. pretty good video on KZbin, you should check it out.

[@robertjohnburton9775]

Dear Stephanie began as a person with ASD going off topic? Gosh! Join the club, a trait actually. I only had decades of suffering, several psychologists, psychiatrists, and doctors. Then they realized the comorbidities were part of my ASD. It is all backwards, for everyone I suspect. Merry Xmas everyone.

[@ACDBunnie]

They really need to make better tests that don't just focus on kids. An adult and their parents may not remember how they were as a kid or the parent may not think their child (who's now an adult) has a symptom because not enough examples of what that symptom may present itself over the years is given.

[@ACDBunnie]

It's been a long time since I was a child. I don't remember most of it probably.

[@purplequeen8298]

I have autism. I understand.

[@jullieszikszai5708]

Having to defend your diagnosis sucks. I know with my youngest it drives me nuts because I should not have to explain a slight reaction that is not the norm.

[@barbaraburgos9871]

What accomodations you had on college?

[@kyrenepaine1373]

Hey I'm just wondering how your diagnosis helped you? My psychologist has recommended I get one 😊.

[@StephanieBethany]

Its given me the right to accommodations at college and work, helped me answer a lot of questions about myself and understand myself better - helped reduce a lot of self-hatred. And it helps my family and friends to be more understanding as well

[@kyrenepaine1373]

@@StephanieBethany oh yeah you did say in the video lol 😂. I forgot.

[@davidlanier7006]

Did they do an IQ test on you? They did one on me and since I have high anxiety I didn't do as well as I could've. Plus, many of the questions on an IQ test are seriously dumb. How can you judge someones IQ if they don't know who wrote a book you never read. I was diagnosed with level 2, which makes me think I'm very severely autistis but I don't believe I am. Maybe I have some characteristics of people who are level 2, I don't know. I also have adhd, which seems to me to be a much more difficult problem than the autism. Someone told me that because I also have generalized anxiety disorder that's why I was labeled as level 2, I don't know. I had a 2 day intake process with a therapist to see if I sounded autistic, and a year later a 2 day test that lasted several hours each day for them to come up with an answer. I still wonder if they were off somehow in their diagnoses. You thought?

[@StephanieBethany]

Thankfully I wasn't given an IQ test though I know an adolescent who was given one as part of their diagnostic process. To be fair, IQ tests in general just aren't all that helpful so idk why they think its appropriate but whatever. As for your concern that maybe they got things wrong, most people do feel that - like a worry that they or their assessors somehow made a mistake. As for the level, they do take comorbid conditions into account when assigning a level. Levels are also changeable and some attentive psychologists will actually reassess levels if they feel its necessary (esp if it grants some kind of aid or supports they believe their client requires)

[@grainnenorton1318]

That kind of question is a general knowledge and not an iq test. IQ tests have no questions like that in them it was more likely to see how you did in a test situation level 2 is moderate. Level 3 is severe. And yes anxiety would up it to level 2 other things can also. It just means more support required. Level 1 means some support required. Level 3 means substantial.

[@davidlanier7006]

@@grainnenorton1318 I've been given 2 IQ tests over the past dozen years or so and they both had questions on it like that. Both tests asked you a long series of numbers and when they finished you were supposed to say the numbers back to them. I fail to see how that will test anything but your concentration level and memory. Much of the test seemed really useless in figuring out a persons IQ. Who was the president during the civil war? If you never learned that or you just forgot it, that doesn't make you less intelligent. Answer: Lincoln, by the way. If their IQ test isn't very good, then how good could their assessment of my autism and adhd be? Makes you wonder.

[@grainnenorton1318]

@@davidlanier7006 yeah they aren't IQ tests. Dunno who did them that thought they are they aren't. And numbers bit isn't either that's memory and concentration.

[@ZechariahTienter-h9n]

I love your videos I found u on Instagram I follow u there now hope it's OK with u I'm also autistic too I live in east Texas I'm Zechariah tienter I go by. Zach.

[@jasminmenzies9759]

I'm of those rare females that got diagnosed at 3

[@theedgeofoblivious]

Your name is misspelled above your keyboard.

[@StephanieBethany]

The real secret is that its the only location in which it is properly spelled 🤔

[@Catlily5]

I noticed the two different spellings also...