Would it do any good to get tested/confirmed at my age?
I'm an adult, just turned 24, and recently graduated college. I don't have any intention of returning to the classroom. I'm currently unemployed but hopefully that won't last much longer.
I'm seeing a psychologist and a psychiatrist for treatment/management of mental illness, and both of them are pushing me to get tested to see where I am on the autism spectrum. They're both pretty sure that I've got Asperger's, and I've had several other people (family members, friends, teachers) who don't know each other suggest that I'm somewhere on the spectrum too.
It doesn't seem unlikely, really, I just don't see the point of getting tested and confirmed. I'm not in school anymore, so it's not like I could get academic help. I don't think there are any things that could help me at work.
Did you get diagnosed as an adult? Did it help you any, or was it sort of a waste of time?
Posted Apr 15, 2013, 11:14 AM UTC
If you are already seeking professional help for mental issues, and said professionals would like you diagnosed, maybe it'd help them understand how to treat you.
I remember going to a therapist once who was used to working with recovering addicts and severe depressives. He was so surprised by mundane behaviours, like reading a book for eight hours, that I never got a chance to talk about my problems. I at least know for myself that if I ever go back to therapy, I'd want to see someone with some familiarity with autism.