It's official: I do not have AS.

[Aspen]

I am glad you got a more satisfactory response this time, Iam.

[Blandit]

I am very curious to hear about the details of your examination and what exactly the examiner has to say about you and your particular characteristics, if you don't mind. Enquiring minds want to know!

I ask my friend with AS, but she doesn't have a good memory and has misplaced all of the paperwork. I ask because I would like to be able to identify others (unoffically of course) and because no one who knows my friend would say, "She has Asperger's Syndrome". They would never know. They would just think that she is a bit "off". I hope to work with kids with "disabilities" or what I call "different abilities" after I graduate and I also may want to work with adults some day, but I will be dealing with the parents of these kids too. Anything would be helpful, I think.

This is very exciting for you, Iam!

[odeon]

It sounds like you met a professional, this time, Iam.

[Sophist]

Sophist, a couple of weeks ago I called the number you provided, but I only got voicemail. I have been too busy moving to be able to call back.

Today, I did go the the University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry for a general evaluation. The doctor I consulted with said she had no problem rendering a diagnosis of AS. However, as I had already seen another doctor, she wanted to consult with him before making an official diagnosis. She stated that I obviously have some type of PDD.
I was encouraged by her opinion. Now I will just wait to see how the final resolution and report manifests.

Iam, that's awesome!! So glad for you.

[Iam]

I talked with the doctor who gave me the comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. She said she talked to the doctor from the University of Michigan autism center, and based on what she told him about the interview, he agreed that there is some pervasive disability apparent, not just depression. I think they are going to classify it as PDD-NOS, but I am not certain. That was a little unclear from our conversation.
I sent an email to the supervisor of the UMACC department that did my assessment for AS and explained how crucial it is that I receive an accurate and meaningful evaluation. I stated that the contrast between the evaluation at the psychiatric facility and at the autism center reinforced my doubts about the initial evaluation interview at the autism center.
I explained that I have not held a full time job for more than three concurrent years during the past 30 years, and that I relied heavily upon support from my parents, who are now deceased.
I asked for her assistance in obtaining an accurate evaluation. I assume I will hear from the autism center very soon.

[Sophist]

I talked with the doctor who gave me the comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. She said she talked to the doctor from the University of Michigan autism center, and based on what she told him about the interview, he agreed that there is some pervasive disability apparent, not just depression. I think they are going to classify it as PDD-NOS, but I am not certain. That was a little unclear from our conversation.
I sent an email to the supervisor of the UMACC department that did my assessment for AS and explained how crucial it is that I receive an accurate and meaningful evaluation. I stated that the contrast between the evaluation at the psychiatric facility and at the autism center reinforced my doubts about the initial evaluation interview at the autism center.
I explained that I have not held a full time job for more than three concurrent years during the past 30 years, and that I relied heavily upon support from my parents, who are now deceased.
I asked for her assistance in obtaining an accurate evaluation. I assume I will hear from the autism center very soon.

I'm glad you're being active in this, Iam. You should get what you're seeking.

[Aspen]

Good luck Iam.

[Iam]

I recieved the final evaluation report from UMACC today.

"Based on the findings from standardized measures designed to assess for symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mr. **** did not meet the threshold for a diagnosis of autism or Aspergers disorder. Additionally, by report and as seen in multiple observations from members of a multidisciplinary team, Mr. **** is able to interact very appropriately with others when he needs to and in a manner that is qualitatively not consistent with that seen, in our collective experience, in adults with autism or Aspergers Disorder, even those who are very intelligent. Social impairments can be seen in many different types of psychiatric disorders. As our clinic is not able to delineate adult psychiatric disorders, we recommend psychiatric evaluation to better clarify the nature of these difficulties."

So there it is. I am not certain where to go from here. I already had a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, which indicated a pervasive developmental disorder. I do not know if I should further pursue a diagnosis for AS.
I am just lost right now, except for knowing there is something which is severely impeding my ability to live an independent and fruitful life. The only condition I have been exposed to which conforms to the characteristics I observe, in hindsight, in myself is AS.
I see the therapist tomorrow. I suppose I will discuss the issue with her.
Oh, yeah. They suggested some form of anger management therapy, also.

[Noctivagus]

One can have a PDD without it being severe enough to be diagnosed as Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. At least, I think that is the case. They simply said that you did not meet the threshold criterea. And they seem to recognise some social impairment.

Still, this is your internet home, Iam... we like you and we accept you because you are you and not because you meet any other criterea

[ukenkerl]

GEE, it could be argued that **I** can "interact when I need to". The question is HOW, timing, and what is considered a need. That sounds too arbitrary. I learned what I know to the degree I know it LATER!

Just YESTERDAY, I realized a symptom I have had for a LONG time. I was the last one out of a meeting. WHY? What does that have to do with AS? SIMPLE!!!!! The head of the meeting said something I felt HAD to be corrected. NORMALLY, I would INTERRUPT! In fact, I did several times during the meeting. This particular thing was something I felt HE had to know, and decided not to interrupt. I couldn't find a clear in, so I WAITED!

That SCREAMS AS! Yet I might not have really even noticed such a thing, let alone mention it to a psychiatrist. It occured to me that, when I am involved and not the speaker, that I am ALWAYS the last to leave!

Steve

[Another World]

Just YESTERDAY, I realized a symptom I have had for a LONG time. I was the last one out of a meeting. WHY? What does that have to do with AS? SIMPLE!!!!! The head of the meeting said something I felt HAD to be corrected. NORMALLY, I would INTERRUPT! In fact, I did several times during the meeting. This particular thing was something I felt HE had to know, and decided not to interrupt. I couldn't find a clear in, so I WAITED!

That SCREAMS AS! Yet I might not have really even noticed such a thing, let alone mention it to a psychiatrist. It occured to me that, when I am involved and not the speaker, that I am ALWAYS the last to leave!

Steve

LoL!! That was so "Me"! I can't help but compulsively try to dominate the Answers in class, (I remember in HS, kids sighing, and even throwing up their hands when the teacher would pick me "again" to answer a question". I would also interupt "constantly" to "clarify every little detail" or "correct" things I understood differently"... (Again, at of sighing from the peanut gallery! )

I think in time, I did learn better classroom manners, I did not interupt as much, but I did keep a "running list" of all things I had questions for and "confront" the teacher afterclass to clarify.

I am known as a control freak too!

[Another World]

I recieved the final evaluation report from UMACC today.

"Based on the findings from standardized measures designed to assess for symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mr. **** did not meet the threshold for a diagnosis of autism or Aspergers disorder. Additionally, by report and as seen in multiple observations from members of a multidisciplinary team, Mr. **** is able to interact very appropriately with others when he needs to and in a manner that is qualitatively not consistent with that seen, in our collective experience, in adults with autism or Aspergers Disorder, even those who are very intelligent. Social impairments can be seen in many different types of psychiatric disorders. As our clinic is not able to delineate adult psychiatric disorders, we recommend psychiatric evaluation to better clarify the nature of these difficulties."

So there it is. I am not certain where to go from here. I already had a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, which indicated a pervasive developmental disorder. I do not know if I should further pursue a diagnosis for AS.
I am just lost right now, except for knowing there is something which is severely impeding my ability to live an independent and fruitful life. The only condition I have been exposed to which conforms to the characteristics I observe, in hindsight, in myself is AS.
I see the therapist tomorrow. I suppose I will discuss the issue with her.
Oh, yeah. They suggested some form of anger management therapy, also.

Sounds like an about face to me hey?

That is such crap. I think a lot of Aspies learn the give and take of social "fluff" and how to interact on a meet and greet level with others. Like you though, I suffer with developing these "associations" I make into "friendships". I just don't get how that is done and usually people like to keep there distance from me, basically, keep my at arms length!

In a workplace, this usually means I give a glowing interview, a great training session, and then, slowly, bit by bit, like peeling off layers of an oninon, they find my social "defects" and the conflict starts.

I have not been able to hold a Fulltime job for more then 6 months at a time. I still have breakdowns and experiance trauma over being fired from my last job, feeling a strong sense of justice, not understanding what the heck "went wrong". Basically, I could not play the game, I could not compete with a weasel, or do the work "politics". I could not read people, or the situation I was slowly falling into , until I was so deep into the pit, I could not see the pit for all the water and muck at the bottom of my feet. I then suddenly realized oneday that "something was terribly wrong" and then before I could make amends, I was swiftly fired.

So, does this mean that I too, don't have AS, because I can give a good interview, put in a great show for the first few weeks? I throw myself into the "training material" so deeply, studying it night and day, on work and off, developing an obbsesson for "learning the ropes". I become an "expert very quickly", often able to do more or know more then peers who have been around for months, even years longer then me! Management loves that at first, the social stuff, it comes later....

I think you may have to go for now un diagnosed... Which really sucks, and I am sure is a huge blow to you, unfortunately your medical team just does not "get" the person with AS.

I love how in children, they demand that the child "learn" manerisms like eye contact and smiling. They insist the child "can" learn these things. Some children turn the aquisition of s. skills into a minor obesssion, and DO learn many of these things, they do manage to "slip under the radar" with social fluff situations. Everyone says "good see..." as a testiment to their "therapy".

But, when the Adult with AS, who went un DX'ed for years, managed to do this, then it means "they cannot have AS, look how socially skilled they are!"

Grr...

[adhocisadirtyword]

I love how in children, they demand that the child "learn" manerisms like eye contact and smiling. They insist the child "can" learn these things. Some children turn the aquisition of s. skills into a minor obesssion, and DO learn many of these things, they do manage to "slip under the radar" with social fluff situations. Everyone says "good see..." as a testiment to their "therapy".

But, when the Adult with AS, who went un DX'ed for years, managed to do this, then it means "they cannot have AS, look how socially skilled they are!"

Grr...

Exactly.

Iam - I feel for you. You do have people here who understand and believe undoubtedly that you belong - but also who just enjoy reading your posts and getting to know you.

[Noctivagus]

{{{{{Iam}}}}}

[Sophist]

Iam, definitelly keep seeking diagnosis. Don't let those idiots dictate the final word to you. Based on their performance so far, I would really not take their opinion seriously.

Sorry you're having to go through this crap, Iam. But don't fret too much. It seems many adult Aspies have to go through one or two or MORE rounds of imbeciles to finally find someone who knows what they're doing.

I know I did. And I know it can be hard to get over and get your confidence back. BUT DON'T DOUBT YOURSELF. You know you better than anyone and by and large auties are pretty damn good at self-diagnosis. Just know, as an adult autie seeking diagnosis, you're definitely not unsual in being refused the first time.

But I really recommend you keep seeking diagnosis. Who was the one that gave the other assessment of PDD? Why couldn't they give you an official dx?