this post was submitted on 25 Oct 2023
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Autism

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is there a point to an adult diagnosis? (lemm.ee)
submitted 1 year ago by GrayBackgroundMusic@lemm.ee to c/autism@lemmy.world
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Sorry if this seems stupid. My kid was diagnosed with type 1 autism, formerly asperger's. We weren't even testing them for that (it was adhd), but the doc pointed out a lot of behaviors that are classified as autistic. I never thought of those behaviors that way, because I did a bunch of that stuff when I was a teen, too. I just learned I was weird and figured the rest was due to my super dysfunctional family. I've learned to cope. I keep my weirdness to myself and pass for a normal person pretty well. No one would ever guess I'm autistic (again, I've no diagnosis but it's implied).

So, with that context, would there even be a point to getting a diagnosis? What would it benefit me? I'm middle aged, so I don't need educational accommodations. I've learned to adapt, so idk if I'd even be diagnosable.

Idk. I'm still just messed up learning that my kid, who I thought was neurotypical and a LOT like me is considered autistic. How different would my childhood have been if I had been evaluated when I was younger?

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[โ€“] Max_P@lemmy.max-p.me 13 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If you're doing well and don't need therapy or even accommodations at work, then I guess just be happy you're doing well! Diagnosis doesn't mean you automatically should be getting help and change everything around. You can use that information as purely informative, like, "oh, that's why I've been doing that". That's a part of why there is an autism pride movement: for some people, that's not even a handicap, it's a super power.

Now that you know however, maybe it'll be easier for you to relate to some challenges your kid faces and connect the dots and hopefully make it easier for him. I'm sure your kid would be happy to have a parent that can understand.

Diagnosis could be useful in being more confident that your kid has the same thing, but apart from that, yeah you're not missing out on much. I've found it's a touch easier to ask for things like flexible schedule at work with it, but I've earned those privileges at every job I've had well before I got diagnosed ๐Ÿคท I'm known to sometimes work to 5am because I'm stubborn on a problem but I deliver 3 days worth and then I'm dead the next day and everyone agrees it's worth it.

[โ€“] frogfruit@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 year ago

Regarding therapy, you could also just start seeing a therapist who specializes in ASD/neurodivergence. Most do not require a formal diagnosis.