Getting diagnosed for Asperger's as an adult?

Hello Craig VW, I'm 58 and living on the spectrum. For starters, I'd recommend going to the HowStuffWorks.com website and search for the How Autism Works page. It's straight-forward, not long and it's useful info. Also, look for a DAN (Defeat Autism Now) MD in your area. He/she can point you diagnostic services available, which "should" lead you to what supportive services are available in your area. Good Luck!

I am an "NT" with a friend (66yr old female) who has not been diagnosed but I firmly believe she has AS. If I were to mention my observations to her (very high anxiety and other behaviors)and she agreed to see a therapist (I am not sure about this as she believes I am judging her), would it benefit her in any way or would I be opening up a can of worms and possibly losing a friend. I am at a crossroads. AS diagnosed individuals, did any type of therapy, medication etc... help you out and if so, what were the negative/positive responses?

plumb64, I think a diagnosis provides a sense of relief to someone who has been feeling like "there's something wrong with me." It provides an explanation of behavior and a place to start searching for information or support groups such as these so a person realizes she is not alone.

If your friend is (honestly) not concerned about her behavior or doesn't care, there's probably no point to a diagnosis. On the other hand, mentioning it to her might start the wheels turning in her mind, and feelings might come to the surface. It's difficult to decide whether or not to bring it up with an adult.

For me, it was a wonderful "aha!" moment.

AS diagnosed individuals or anyone else Can you tell me what types of therapy you or a loved one went through? Its it primarily "talk" therapy or is there more to it? Also, did anyone have positive results or was it a waste of time?

i have recently realised i am aspie, as is my hubby - no diagnosis, but like amidoo says an "aha" moment - and this site has helped enormously to make sense of my life. Until age 30 i had never worked, i was always the freak, and could never work out why i had so few friends, why people were uncomfortable with me - suddenly it is all clear!!

I have done tai chi since i was 21 - i had chronic fatigue (looking back on it largely caused by the amount of energy i was putting innto behaving "normally" for a young adult) so i started practicing and found my life becoming bareable. I ended up marrying the teacher!!! now i have to do it in order to stay stable - i am happy to give more info about it - i think it would be hugely beneficial to anyone with asd tendancies

At age fifty-six I have just been diagnosed by a psychologist as having AS. I don't know about other countries, but I can say that here in Australia it is a difficult and expensive process! And it is not clear at this point whether it will bring any practical benefits. To be "officially" diagnosed, I still have to have confirmation from a psychiatrist, but from what I can make out, this is really just a "rubber stamp". This will mean that I can register with the Autism Association of WA, and have access to any programs they run. But from what I can make out, there is little available for adults in this state. Meanwhile, I am continuing to see the psycholgist for the attendent issues of depression and insomnia.

I don't wish to sound as though I don't think it's worth doing. On the contrary, I wish I had known enough to seek the diagnosis earlier. If nothing else, it has brought some understanding of my life, and a certain sense of vindication. After a lifetime of feeling like a lost alien, and of having my intelligence, character and personality attacked and disparaged by others, it is some comfort to know that it is a recognised condition, and not my fault, any more that if I had been born with cerebal palsy!

[Updated on 5/13/2009 6:10 AM]

In response to plumb64 and others looking for therapies, I would like to respond. I am 55 and was diagnosed with Aspergers a year ago. Acutally I self diagnosed, but had the diagnosis confirmed by a diagnostian to make it official so I could go to the support group. Previous to this I had years of pyscho therapy, including pscyo analysis with a trainee analyst who was also a qualified psychiatrist. None of the clinicians I saw suggested an ASD and I believe that all that talking therapy was more or less useless because it addressed the wrong issue, pschology rather than pysiology - I was in fact being encouraged to do more of what I already did too much off - go over the past - instead of learning to resond more appropriately to the present and cope with change and new social settings. I did not even know I was anxious, because the anxiety was so chronic I had never known anything different.
A 10 day meditation course helped me, but the effect wore off a bit too quickly and I was not able to maintain the degree of meditation I would require to upkeep it - I suppose my hope now does lie in meditation and yoga, because I believe these have the ablility to re configure the brain.
best wishes
Edel

James, regarding your friend, Edel's post above mine might be one thing which could help if the friend has anxiety.

Unfortunately I don't have much new to report. I looked into a local chapter of Autism Society of America but wasn't actually able to speak to anyone. Haven't looked into DAN yet.

I'm still not clear about how to find a professional who could evaluate my bro for Asperger's. Since he lost his job, he doesn't have medical insurance anymore so that complicates it.

There's a local support group for people with Asperger's and thought about having my bro sit in on one of their monthly meetings. But since he hasn't been diagnosed with Asperger's by anyone other than me, I'm not sure it that would go over well with the group. Although the group organizer was tentatively open to it.

And although our father is concerned about my bro, I'm not getting any assistance from him researching Asperger's or trying to someone qualified to have him evaluated. So its pretty much just me and this group as to figure out where to go from here.

One good thing. Actually it's great. My bro seems to have kicked the alcohol and pot for a couple months now all by himself. I'm guessing this is the longest he's been off the substances in many many years. I hope it lasts.

Hello Craig,
Keep the Faith . You love your brother by trying to get the necessary help for him. Be patient....Prayer is a very good thing Craig. You dont have to pray all day long ...but pray.

Keep up the great work with meetings , they can be so valuable to us as we walk through this world. I would really see about the group for your Bro.....the group organizer was cool with it right? So......Lets go , check it out. Could be a miracle waiting to happen. There is already one miracle and thats you.
PEACE!

Note: Remember Craig , there are 12 step programs for almost any thing ! Your Bro could check one out also to keep him in touch with others trying to stay in a good place and change. Change is great....but sometimes it dosent come easy.Make the plan .Work the plan.
[Updated on 5/22/2009 12:15 PM]