Getting an adult autism diagnosis - is it worth it?

Getting an adult autism diagnosis is fraught with uncertainty, and once you’ve had your "lightbulb" moment that you think you might be autistic, the first thing you have to figure out is “should I get assessed for autism?”

There are many pros and cons to getting a late autism diagnosis, and while this video is not comprehensive, I talk about the various factors that might help you decide whether or not it’s worth pursuing an autism diagnosis in adulthood.

[YoSamdySam]

Guys, I watched this back and really felt I'd left so much out, so I'm sorry it's not as comprehensive as I'd have liked.

Further pros include: potential improvement of your mental health, you might be entitled to support, you have an explanation for why you never fit in or struggle with certain things

Other cons I forgot to talk about were: possible stigma from friends and family, lack of available support post-diagnosis, possible discrimination from employers/during recruitment.

[MichaelaDelaney]

I am terrified of finding out I'm not autistic. This community is the only time in my life I've felt understood and like I am normal and belong. I've read so many books and cried over so many realizations that I'm not the only one with those traits and experiences and I have a constant fear that I don't actually belong.

[origaminomicon]

"i'm not a broken version of a neurotypical person, i'm just what i need to be" this hit the spot, thank you...

[jojooffaraway]

I am really worried that when I pursue a diagnosis I‘ll be told that I am not autistic because then I am right where I started left wondering why I am so weird and struggling with life so much.
Great video :)

[iamsusankate]

I recently had a first appointment with a psychological nurse practitioner. When I requested an evaluation for adult autism, he literally LAUGHED at me and very condescendingly told me that there’s no way that I could have autism because I had worked in the dental field for nearly 20 years! He actually made me cry during much of the rest of that appointment, and I felt like I had to defend myself and the reasons why I believed I may be autistic. I felt sick to my stomach… I will NOT be going back to that office!!!

By the way, I’m glad I watched this video!

[louiedale]

I really respect that you didn't edit out your mistake but corrected yourself

[rudyescobar]

My wife got diagnosed at 37 years old. It was definitely worth it for herself, and I. Per her, "It was comforting to know that I just wasn't a weird person, but that there was a reason for the way I am". She then came out with her diagnosis to all her friends in hopes that they piece the puzzle together. As for me, I have taken the time to research as much as I can about ASD. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others. If I didn't know this, I would've thought my wife was just a difficult person for no reason and exited the relationship. To be frank, it can be difficult to relate to people with ASD but it is not impossible. I have to identify triggers for her anxiety and lay off in order to avoid a meltdown on her part. Communicating and spending time through her special interest is a way to bypass her difficulties in small talk. I have also voiced my needs for affection and letting me know what I mean to her. If I want something from her I just come out and ask (due to her mind blindness). I'm also very accepting when it comes to her stimming and different mannerisms. The lack of eye contact used to bother me, but it's something that I don't put much thought to now. So to reiterate, YES A DIGNOSIS IS WORTH IT.

[jgdooley]

Not having an adult diagnosis is like trying to drive a truck with a motorccyle licence. Its like trying to navigate life with a different awareness of self. I was diagnosed at the age of 52. It was a Pearl Harbour moment in my life. It was not a self diagnosis but was carried out by a nationally recognised professional. While it closed many doors to careers and life progressions it opened others. It stopped me being seen as a "mistake" or being a "failure.". I am different which is not the same thing.

[meganhanrath]

"I'm not too sensitive (or too anything), I'm autistic" has me tearing up and is giving me more motivation to consider seeking a diagnosis 🖤 thank you so much for sharing your journey!! xo

[angelikape]

I need a YES or a NO in 2020 so I can stop thinking about it or have a explanation when people call me weird or when I start crying hysterically because everything is suddenly too much and I can't see anything anymore

[SlyMeerkat]

I was recently diagnosed with both Autism and ADHD as an Adult and for me, id say its 100% worth Anything to help know yourself more is great and it took a massive weight of my shoulders when i was told i have it :)

[camillegenois]

I am, indeed, totally obsessed by autism now that I realised it describes me. Thank you very much for contributing to my understanding Sam

[haridasi-]

I completely adored the "I'm not crazy, just autistic comment" and the need for vindication by the medical community. Many has been misdiagnosed, and your comment was spot on. Thank you!

[allieinwunderland]

I’m 42 years old and am now realizing this is me. People make “jokes” telling me I’m “on the spectrum.” My entire life I’ve been described as introverted, awkward, shy and rude. I have struggled for so long trying to understand why things that came easy to others were so difficult for me. Having supervisors come down on me for not participating in work parties or not making eye contact has lead to shame and embarrassment over the years. I’ve tried so hard not to obsess over topics, get lost in activities, not to twirl my hair or chew my fingernails and tried even harder to make and “manage” friendships...it’s left me exhausted. Your video has given me hope and encouragement. Thank you 🙏

[sabcayen]

When I researched the symptoms of autism it totally clicked with me and explained a lot of what I deal with, It also made me aware of things I do that I never even considered. I totally mimic others social behaviors, and analyze social interactions after the fact thinking if I did or said something wrong. I overthink social situations ahead of time because im nervous. When Im with a few friends I can interact fine, but when its a big group I dont talk. People are simply overwhelming and Id rather be alone. I no longer have friends and have never had long term friends. A lot of times I tap my fingers or need something in my hand to click or twirl in order to concentrate. I smile a lot just to cover the fact that I am not comfortable around others and don't know how to interact. Sometimes I am really sensitive to light, textures and occasionally sound. I have always hated hugs, it would give me anxiety. when Im interested in a topic I can research for hours and hours, but when Its school I have a difficult time focusing (I believe this relates to the executive function). This might not have a strong correlation to autism but I am extremely clumsy and generally reject femininity (I am female). I have heard that there is a correlation between gender dysphoria and autism and gender dysphoria is something I have struggled with for a long time. I would mimic the way girls dressed so that I would look more normal, even if I didn't like the clothes. I literally picked out my outfit based on what people I would be around, just to fit in more. These might not all be because of autism but I makes sense to me.

I really want to get a diagnosis just to confirm and explain why I have always felt so different and honestly broken. However, I am terrified of people not believing what I say or what I'm going through. I know I mask the symptoms really well and people just think Im shy, so they won't think I have many symptoms. I have really low confidence in myself and that would honestly make me devastated to feel like I don't know who I am. 

I don't expect this to be read, I just wanted to think things through, because I am eventually going to tell someone, It just freaks me out.

[hgeri]

I was panicking, I was crazy anxious and depressed before my diagnosis. About 2 months before I got mine, I almost successfully ended it all. Before watching the video, I'm gonna say nothing made sense up until my diagnosis, and I'm happy with it, and proud of it. And everything makes sense now. I'm unique, not a screwup.

[Eartha-Celeste]

I was 70 when I had my diagnosis, it was a great relief, all the fragmented jig saw pieces of my life came together, if I had known years before my life could have been so much better and easier. It really made me think about my life and I did mourn the life I could have had, but having said all that, I am glad I had the diagnosis as I now know why I am like I am and why other people don't always understand me.

[yumanol]

I relate to the "I Didn't Mean It Like That" part so much. It's frustrating!

[udowannun]

On the one hand, I think “official” dx would provide some validation for my lifelong issues. To know the “why” of my behaviors and struggles and know that I’m not the only one is a huge weight off my mind.
On the other, the devastation of suddenly knowing that my 53 years of life might not have been so incredibly hard if I’d had the appropriate support early on. Mind, I wouldn’t have had that support *at all* until I’d reached adulthood and been able to seek it out for myself, but still I would’ve saved 30+ years of confusion and just feeling inadequate in all situations.

[jyrahsorzi]

I've flip flopped for years on whether I'm going to persue a diagnosis. I had so many people make comments during my childhood that this or that was an "autistic trait" but my mom hated "lables" and we always just brushed it off. I'm finally at a point where I'm almost 99% positive that I'm on the spectrum. I'm planning to get a diagnosis as soon as I can afford it.