Could I have Asperger's? Who do I see for diagnosis?

[emerald888]

My son was diagnosed with Asperger's when he was 5 years old, he will be 13 in June.  I have been reading up on Autism to find ways of helping him and more and more I am finding the parallels into my own life.  I watch him and I see myself in a big way.  It's almost like I'm getting to watch myself grow up, very strange.

I am hypersensitive, to nearly everything.  I spend a lot of time feeling highly irritable because I feel that I am constantly being overstimulated.  I spend a lot of my childhood hiding under my bed or in my closet.

I have always been told that I am "very bright" and yet I do not study ANYTHING thoroughly at all.  I took my test to receive my GED and guessed on all but 3 of the math questions and passed with flying colors.  I had home schooling for high school because my social anxiety had gotten so bad in middle school and I couldn't handle it anymore.  it nearly feels as though I absorb information that I'm not paying attention to.

I feel like I spend a good portion of my life watching others because I never seem to know what I should be doing at any given time.

I share the majority of symptoms that my son does, but diagnosing adults and specifically women, with Asperger's is rare.  I feel like I shouldn't be ruling it out though, nor should my doctors.

Who can assist me in an accurate diagnosis?  I have an appointment with a neurologist next week and I am starting with a new therapist as well.  The more I read the more I feel that this could be what has been causing my depression and anxiety my entire life, but it's being overlooked by my doctors. (Possibly because I've had 29 years to learn to adapt, including making an effort to use inflection when I speak)

Thank you!

[Rachel Thompson, Ph.D., BCBA]

Research developments continue to uncover evidence of a genetic basis for autism spectrum disorders, so it would not be surprising to observe autistic characteristics in other family members. If a diagnosis is important to you, I would recommend that you seek assessment through a professional with expertise in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders. Most large urban hospitals will have specialty services in this area, although many will specialize in children.

[rcarver]

I am 28 and my son also was diagnosed at age 5.  I have also wondered about myself,..and my husband sometimes.  My husband has severe social anxiety disorder and I, too, have always felt I absorb info that I'm not paying attention to.  I excelled through school but I left in the 10th grade for what the doctors told my mom was "depression"...oh, that word is so overused.!  Only thing about me is that I have always  been a "social butterfly" and have always had a lot of friends...HOWEVER, I still don't know how to act around a lot of people and I say and do things prematurely before I have even had time to consider them.  I turned out alright, so that gives me high hopes for my son.  I just wonder if the so called "experts" should look a little closer to home for more answers.  Maybe it is a form of genetics after all.  Although, my son didn't show signs of autism until after he had his 12 month immunizations.

[emerald888]

I am hoping that a diagnosis would be helpful because then I could get the services I need to improve.  It would also make me feel more settled to have a real answer, even though they wouldn't be able to really explain it to me as far as WHY.  So far I feel misdiagnosed and I am not functioning well in my life as a whole and have to rely on others and government assistance to support myself, yet it is exceedingly difficult for me to communicate WHY.

Someone who is presenting with depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, poor communication skills, above average intelligence etc, does not get the same treatment as someone diagnosed with Asperger's.  (I primarily mean how you are treated as a whole, not medically treated) ..