How to Get an Adult Autism Diagnosis

World-renowned Autism expert Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh answers a viewer question about obtaining an Autism diagnosis and getting treatment as an adult.

[jediwitch]

*Please, don't assume that all of us who are undiagnosed adults, are younger than thirty, as I am fifty, & still trying to get a diagnosis.*

[poorman-trending]

I’m 42 and trying to get diagnosed and it’s nearly impossible trying to find someone who will even talk to me. Everyone works with kids, not sure what to do anymore.

[dakotanorth]

I'm 51 and I started wondering. I had a lot of trouble in my life. Diagnosis was uncommon in the 1970s.

[williamlay]

I am 47 and never heard of Asperger's until this year after a guy I work with who has a degree in psychology was saying ( I thought you knew you had Asperger's ) so I looked it up and I don't know where to begin seeking for help. I'm on my 3rd failing marriage with always same things repeated there's something wrong with you and you should live alone. I was diagnosed with ADHD in my 30s and the stimulants helped with talking to people but had to stop taking them for work driving commercial vehicle and getting older and getting high BP. Really would like help so I don't end up with my 3rd divorce

[boltmyway]

I’m almost 60 and just figured it out. Now to get a diagnosis!

[patmccoy]

Unfortunately, Baby Boomers have fallen through the cracks because autism wasn't really recognized way back when. Us older folks are STILL HERE!

[zalphero]

I might have some mental social disorder or something like that. My parents never cared about why i am the way i am. I have never been diagnosed about anything.

[aeilorux]

3:25. This is with adults have a hard time being diagnosed. To get a diagnosis, you have to be having problems managing your life. The chance of meeting these criteria as an adult isn't likely. Your life has already settled down. You've figured out a way to mask these criteria. Unless you're currently in treatment or experiencing a crisis, these first criteria are not applicable. None of the signs and symptoms matter if you're independent, and managing life well enough to actually have health insurance and be able keep appointments.

[CBism]

I love how these people automatically assume everyone has insurance and can afford it. What if you don't have insurance?

[dantheman]

Thank you for posting this. Has helped me.

[kylesmothers]

I was diagnosed as Schizophrenic for 15 years. The clinicians finally started realizing that I don't hallucinate at all and my IQ is estimated at around 150. So now they are pointing towards the ASD spectrum. There is more to the clinical side than this. Albeit late, I appreciate the switch. The most unique thing that I have learned so far is that persons on the ASD spectrum have a symptom in which they are startled by loud noises. I was raised in a rural area of the Midwest and my father needed all the children to help in the chores that ran the household. So I was standing next to a chain saw starting at 4 years old. I went on the operate a Yanmar diesel tractor starting at 12 years old. These activities were not seen as optional although they shut my cognitive function down quite a bit. The point here, and especially to the young person in reference in the video, is that these types of things make you stronger.

[bethfaulkner]

I hate eye contact. I'm 53. Anxiety, depression, LD, ADD, IQ of 135. I spin my wheels. Starting to hate loud noises. Work has gotten louder. It makes me anxious

[happypepi]

Hi! I'll be 31 on August 29th and according DSM-5 and what my mother told me about me between 0 an 3 yo, my most prominent traits are:
1. Difficulty with back and forth conversation
2. No eye contact
3. Not making friends like other kids do
4. Echolalia
5. Fascination with lights and spinning objects
6. Symptoms are present in early childhood
7. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning (causing anxiety, meltdowns etc.?)
I'm from Bulgaria and no offence to specialists here, I just went to a child psychologist who gave me a 10 minute test that showed invalid results, but the doctor insisted that due to my extremely abusive childhood (Actually the first 25 years of my life) I must be a psychopath. Nothing against psychopaths, I'm just overly empathic (not only because I'm crying 90% of the time while watching 'Inside Out' :D or when my hamsters had died [as a teenager and as a young adult, I didn't have any pets as a child]). Yes, both my parents and my older sister have many, if not all sociopathic traits (I'm sure my father was a sociopath, my mother and my sister are more of covert narcissist with sociopathic traits [I'm not a specialist, I just know what I've been through and everything I learned from experts like Dr. Ramani Durvasula, I can't be wrong]), but I always was very different than them... and most people... I really don't want to experience such a discomforting meeting with a psychologist ever again (again, nothing against Bulgarian specialists, they are just still diagnosing with Aspergers and, at least some of them, still don't get the sensory part so I doubt they use DSM-5). Can you help me find any solution? Is it possible to get a formal diagnosis from a foreign specialist online?
Thank you and please, excuse my English!
P.S.
I took a few tests, recommended by diagnosed autistic people from the UK and my results are always high.

[Jonsey-lmsv]

I’m SO incredibly frustrated with all of this. I’m 50 and am 1000 percent positive that I have ASD and for the life of me cannot find anyone to take me seriously. I’ve lived for my entire life knowing I was different, but in the 70s, barely anyone knew about autism. I’ve been misdiagnosed by useless shrinks in 3 different states. I’ve even worked in behavioral health myself and couldn’t find anyone to help me. This sucks. Adults with ASD don’t seem to matter to anyone. 😡As usual, it’s all about the children 24/7. This culture of child worship simply makes adults null and void.

[bridgetpoole]

I have highfuctioning autism I’m a girl and it is extremely hard for me at HighSchool because I just get called disabled and treated like I am even know I am not!

[trishgreen]

There are MANY older adults! We aren't being helped!!! I just saw yesterday that the famous actor, Anthony Hopkins, was diagnosed when he was in his seventies! He's 85 now. So, the comment she made saying there aren't any older adults does not make sense! When we were younger, they didn't test for autism/asperger's. I've had trouble my whole life making friends, being bullied and ostracized in school, getting to places on time, anxiety, depression, low tolerance for stress (and I've gone through extreme stressful events throughout my life, it's a wonder I'm still alive!), relationship failures, job failures... on and on it goes. I feel like a child in a grown woman's body. No help for us, I guess.

[zoepeacock]

I'm 35 and my childhood PCP told us he thought I was borderline Autistic. Aside from that nothing was ever done to diagnose me besides ruling out ADD but saying I was Hyperactive. My daughters seem to share varying amounts of the same sensory issues I have.

[KoriMichelle]

Thank you for sharing this video. Finding out about the symptoms of asd made my life make so much sense and looking into getting an official diagnosis before speaking out about it. I appreciate you 💕

[Vibestr]

Hello,
4:49 Is the service you offer ABA or is something else? Do you have services around the Toronto, Canada area?

[lisamarieportee]

I'm 29 and I know I have autism but can't get anyone to diagnose me