"I'm going to confirm the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome." Those were the words spoken by the wonderful psychiatrist Dr. W, a leading expert on diagnosing adults with suspected Asperger's syndrome.
It was 11:39 a.m. on April, 24th 2009.
My mother and I had just spent over an hour with Dr. W., going over details of my childhood, history of my failed friendships, and odd mannerisms, and he gave me the best gift of my entire life.
Sorry, mum and daddy, the trip to Disney World was lovely, but my diagnosis is the best thing that's ever happened to me!
Solid, irrevocable proof that I am NOT crazy.
I cried.
I remember l looked at him, and asked, "you mean, I'm not crazy?" He gently replied "no, you're not crazy. It's not a mental illness, in fact it isn't even a disease. You were born like this, and it's a simply a different way of thinking"
I meet with Dr. W again next Friday, along with his assistant, for what I imagine will be the last time, for them to answer our questions. Dr. W. admits there is little help available where I live, if I lived in a different country, there would be more help available. He did say that he is willing to sit down with me and write a letter to my current employer, explaining Asperger's Syndrome.
Some of my many questions are:
1) What are the chances of me being able to learn how to drive a car?
2) In terms of a career choice, what are areas you suggest I stay away from?
3) What type of support, if any is available?
4) Do you suggest I mention the diagnosis during a job interview?
A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I finally have the courage to believe that I can accept who I am, and nobody can ever tell me to change. I am not wholly defined by this neurological disorder, but is a part of me, a huge one.
Is there anybody else out there, who felt a huge sense of relief when they received the diagnosis?
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Yes... I'm a Father of an ASD kid, but he has so many co-morbidity's. Do you have any? My son is thirteen, and I worry about his life in his twenties and thirties... BTW... you never state the Doctor answers to your questions. Care to share?
ReplyDeleteIn response to "Looking for answers" who was wondering if I have any co-morbidities, I do. I have both depression and anxiety, although thanks to cognitive-behavioral therapy, both have gotten a lot better!
ReplyDeleteMy doctor's answers were:
1) He said I could learn to drive a car, and I did take lessons, but found the co-ordination aspect too difficult. Although my instructor was aware of my AS, I felt he didn't seem to understand what sort of issues could be a problem for me.
2) In terms career chose, I've personally chosen to avoid anything that requires co-ordination, or high levels of stress. Currently, I do data entry, and really enjoy the job.
3)There is not a lot of support where I live, however the OT who works with my doctor, had me in for weekly sessions after my diagnosis, to help with the anxiety. Some areas may have support groups for those on the spectrum, a lot would depend on where you live. There is one where I live, but I rarely attend.
4) AS is something that employers should be aware of, but it is not necessary to tell them in an interview. However, I did once, and although I didn't get the job, I don't think it hurt my chances! It all depends on your personal level of comfort.
Best of luck! It can be tough out there, but you will always find people who will respect you for you!
R.
I was diagnosed in elementary school, so I don't have a memory like this. I can understand how receiving that could be though. AS also isn't entirely a bad thing; Einstein is suspected to have had it, as is Paul Dirac (A very important physicist, whom I've heard described as probably the only person to ever really SEE how quantum mechanics worked)
ReplyDelete1) What are the chances of me being able to learn how to drive a car?
I have no idea, I've not taken the time to learn myself.
2) In terms of a career choice, what are areas you suggest I stay away from?
I know that high stress, high social interaction jobs like fast food are right out for me, I can't even contemplate working at them. I've had 2 very successful jobs in chemistry and physics. I've found academia is more tolerable of eccentricity then other places, so I am looking into staying here a while. People with Aspergers tend to have a very high level of technical skills and drive for perfection, so any job witch values though might be a good match. I heard of one QA firm that was now only hiring people with AS, as they find them much less likely to take shortcuts.
3) What type of support, if any is available?
This is a very localized thing. I know that at the end of the 90s in the suburban area near Toronto that I grew up in, There wasn't much help available at school. There was an occupational therapist, but she was used to dealing with down syndrome kids and such, and very condescending and frustrating. It took two psychiatrists to diagnose me, but we got very luckily on the second one and he was a specialist in Autism Spectrum disorders and was able to help a lot. I also got a lot of support from the Autism Society of Ontario, including a scholarship when I was in 1st year I believe. You might want to look into similar organizations were you live.
I've not needed professional external support for years, but I still rely on my family very heavily, and certain friends, so informal support networks like that are a great help.
4) Do you suggest I mention the diagnosis during a job interview?
I don't, but I've also never had a permanent job, just summer jobs. One of my employers already knew me, and had for a long time, so he knew. The other I didn't tell in the interview, but I didn't try and hide it at work. I should note that I also don't try and hide my AS at all, other then by trying to learn social skills and whatnot. If talking to someone I'm very open about having Asperger's and ADHD and whatnot, as I don't want to stigmatize them.