Dr. Tony Attwood’s Advice on Being Tested for Asperger’s/HFA

There are distinct advantages in having a diagnostic assessment and confirmation of having an ASD such as Asperger’s syndrome, as outlined by the Aspie mentors. These include:

•having an explanation for being different and therefore experiencing relief in knowing you are not mad, bad or defective, despite the “psychological assessments” of predatory peers, and self-evaluation based on those derogatory comments

•acquiring a framework to understand your difficulties and abilities, and to use that framework to explain those difficulties and abilities to others

•gaining access to services and support at school or college, and guidance from literature on finding and keeping a job that matches your abilities and qualifications

•ending a sense of isolation and loneliness by identifying a culture of like-minded individuals who have had similar experiences; members of that culture can become valued friends

•gaining more insight into the positive characteristics of ASD

•knowing where to go for further information and advice on any aspect of ASD in published literature and on the internet, such as Autism Hangout (www.autismhangout.com)

•benefitting from the advice of Aspie mentors who are the wise elders of the tribe of ASD

•acquiring greater self-acceptance, and confidence in being true to your real self.

The road to acquiring a diagnosis is not always an easy one. There can be reluctance in teenagers and adults who have the characteristics of an ASD to seek an assessment by a psychologist or psychiatrist, fearing a diagnosis of being “schizo” or “psycho.” For adolescents at high school, there can be some reluctance due to fear of rejection and teasing by neurotypical peers, who have a remarkable intolerance of someone who is different and perceived as having a “mental” condition.

There may also have been a successful “mask” created to hide the real self, and thus a fear of the vulnerability and rejection that might result from exposing the real self. Sometimes creating the mask and acting neurotypical can be so successful that others will challenge the diagnosis as they do not perceive the amount of effort that went into acting neurotypical, or realize that the real self was hidden.

It is essential that the clinician conducting the diagnosis has training and considerable experience in the assessment of adolescents and adults with an ASD such as Asperger’s syndrome. This is particularly important for girls and women with an ASD, who are often more skilful than the boys and men in camouflaging their ASD characteristics. They tend to compensate for their difficulties using strategies such as acting neurotypical, which can continue to occur even during the diagnostic assessment. You must be honest, therefore, in answering questions and explaining abilities and experiences. By creating a false impression or trail, the only person who is being deceived and denied is you. It is also important not to use the diagnosis as an excuse to avoid appropriate consequences and responsibilities. Equally, you must not assume that certain abilities will be impossible to achieve. The Aspie mentors have clearly stated that some apparently elusive abilities and experiences, such as a successful career and happy, long-term relationship, can be achieved by those who have an ASD.

The diagnosis does not change who you are, but does explain why you are who you are, and may provide access to guidance on how you can achieve your ambitions and become the person you would like to be.