Adult Autism Assessment

I'm talking about what happens in an adult autism assessment and reflecting on my own experiences when I was assessed for autism and diagnosed as an adult.

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A little bit about me:
Hi I'm Purple Ella and my family is an autism family with three out of five of us on the autistic spectrum. I also have a connective tissue disorder (hypermobile Ehlers-danlos syndrome). So life can be a challenge but also a lot of fun.

Helpful links

[maryeckel]

When you said, "my local adult autism assessment team" I almost cried in USA.

[justhannah]

I feel like I might be autistic but I dont want to tell the doctor incase it comes back saying im not and then I will look stupid

[magentaLPStarz]

I had my autism evaluation a few days ago, and get the results in 3-4 weeks 😬
Edit: I’m autistic 😎
Edit 2: thanks to everyone leaving such nice replies, and ableists stay mad cause it’s funny 🥰

[victoriaandrassy]

Most difficult part of getting a diagnosis is people believing your true feelings once you take off the mask, I finally opened up to how I’ve been feeling recently to a therapist and all I got was “ well everyone does that” the more i talked to her the more i just thought that maybe I’m crazy later looking at videos of other women talking about their problems also getting diagnosed and being misdiagnosed gave me so much comfort

[marshaalexander]

I know I am autistic. I found out when I was 59. It was suggested by a therapist and after some research I feel she was spot on. I then went to see a psychiatrist who completely knocked me down. Saying things like I can’t be autistic as I am a successful physician. And that of course I suffer from exhaustion and the need to Isolate because of my profession. And that of course I have no friends because I stay home all weekend. I walked out of there and never looked back. The more research I have done, the more sure that I am autistic. I have no interest in seeking a formal diagnosis because I don’t was to be shot down again. I may have a successful career but that doesn’t diminish the real struggles I have had my whole life. As I don’t need a formal diagnosis for any medical reason, or need to access disability services, I won’t bother. I am confident in my own assessment, it helps explain so much. It also helps me develop coping strategies. So, I know I am autistic and I don’t need anyone to confirm it.

[leolion]

I REALLY relate to the meltdown part. I’ve never had anyone describe the meltdowns as something less like a temper tantrum and more like actual breakdown of panic before this and that was just another point on my “you’re obviously just making this up”-list. I much more relate to being unable to think of what to do when one’s plan has been disturbed.

[zoecarlson]

I've felt different my whole life. But when I was a kid, I had no idea what autism even was for a long time. I just figured, "I'm just really unique." Now that I'm older (19), I have been diagnosed with OCD, depression, social anxiety, as well as being an HSP, a highly sensitive person. 20% of the population are highly sensitive people, and a lot of the traits of HSP's overlap with having autism, such as, overstimulation, difficulty processing and understanding emotions, sensitivity to certain textures, flavors, smells, etc. 
It's hard for me to tell if I might be autistic or if I am just an HSP with OCD and ADHD and social anxiety.

[krisi]

I thought you said “my daughter is now thirty” and look at you and tried to do the math and I seriously thought NEED THIS WOMANS SKIN CARE ROUTINE

[felix]

my autism assessment is in 15 minutes via a video call and i'm watching this to help calm all of my nerves, thank you so much for posting such a friendly and peaceful video!

[doodles]

I was at an appointment with my therapist having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, OCD and adult ADD. I asked if I ‘might be on the autistic spectrum’. The response was well …obviously 😂. Wow. Thanks. That was a year ago. I’m working with it and finally accepting that I am not just weird. But officially weird lol.

[Mewtwo]

I never thought I was autistic, but I feel like my brain was keeping the secret from me, like I wasn’t ready to realize everything fit together like a puzzle piece.

[PerezBroz-po]

I live in the US and make a decent living yet can't afford what it costs to visit doctors. You guys are very fortunate. I will probably die not ever knowing anything about my physical or mental health.

[victoriaopenshaw]

Don’t let the comment about your gestures inhibit you or make you self conscious when communicating. It would cause you to mask and it would be another cause for anxiety. Your gestures are bigger than your topic of conversation merits but it really is not significant enough to sweat about. Rather endearing in fact.

[strangeduckling]

I'm so stressed from hearing about the story telling tests because what if I remember what I learned here and it alters the outcome of my assessment and I'm wrongfully diagnosed or undiagnosed as a result
I feel like I just watched a spoiler

[AndrashSpooshkash]

Dear Ella, I'm 76 years and on my last legs, so I don't have time to go through all the proper channels. Today is the first day I've done any research at all, and this video is the first one I have watched after reading a few articles on the internet.
I can relate to most of what you have said in this video and autism sure answers a lot of questions I've had for a long time. I will subscribe to your channel, and it will be the first time I have subscribed to any channel.

[alexpoulpe]

Oh dear, the ADOS test. I was bad at both story stuff! With the objects I couldn't even create a story and just built a thing by attaching the objects with each others. And with the picture book I apparently just described what I saw and didn't tell a story at all. The specialist was both appalled and so sorry for me in a kind way! 😅 After that she was already sure I was full on autistic haha.

About the facial expressions, apparently I laugh and smile when I say very upsetting stuff. And that's super weird for people. Maybe you're the same?

Ps: my letter just said I'm autistic ! Do you people think I should ask for a detailed report?

[daveanderson]

This was exactly what happened to me my great niece was diagnosed with autism and when I read up on this I was floored and realized I had struggled my whole life in this and then I took a test and rated fairly high on the spectrum . Then I talked to my counselor and he agreed . Now I understand why I had such a time socializing with people and was alone a lot more and still prefer alone time .

[a.m.a]

I love having autism but I hate it at the same time, my mum doesn't treat me the same as all the other kids, she treats me like I can't do nothing at the age of 24, she even controlls my money, I understand I strongly to understand a lot but I just wanna be treated normal, I'm slowly learning how to use a card in a machine but my mum won't let me do nothing, she's holding me back, I'm multi talented I can rap, song write, draw anime, draw realistic and play the piano and everything and I've got people asking me to draw them and they'll pay me from my online account on Instagram and I keep telling people to wait to wait, especially close friends cause my mum is not letting me try and live myself, she's trying to live my life for me and I'm getting really annoyed

[fckyafeelingz]

I'm an Aspie and EXTROVERTED like crazy. Your gestures seem very much appropriate and in sync with what you say. I have had mentioned to me that my eyes dart everywhere and the more excited/passionate I become, all of the aforementioned traits rise accordingly.

[Andresfin]

I'm 22 and my testing is on the 17th. I'm so nervous but my mom already did her part and she is very confident that I will be diagnosed. This was very helpful thank you!