Autism Diagnosis at 37- What the Evaluation Process was Like

The actual appointment details start at 8:52 . Obviously I think that the explanation of how I got to the point of having an evaluation is relevant, but I know sometimes people want to skip straight to the point that is exactly what the title is about.

Autism is DEFINITELY hereditary 🦋Thank you for sharing your journey. I wish my Mom and brother had been diagnosed earlier with L1. Would have saved so much heartbreak. Best to you and your family

I'm so relieved for you, Cammie. What an interesting diagnostic process and evaluation. I think you are such a beautiful spirit and outstanding momma. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us!

Thankyou for sharing, I'm the same age as you and I never remember autism Being talked about, it wasn't diagnosed like it is now. I'm so glad you got answers and I hope you feel good about it.

47, undiagnosed. I've lost everything and am living again with my aging parents. I was on disability 10 yrs ago for ptsd but was kicked off when I discontinued my therapy and attempting to return to work. I had a little success as I actually held a job for two years, but eventually it all ended. Currently on a wait list to get tested by Tulane in New Orleans 🤞

I started nervously stimming while you were describing the test lol, im actually getting mine on Tuesday.

I stared at your cat sitting on the chair, the whole time until they jumped down. Thanks for sharing your story, I am almost certainly convinced that I have autism in some type of way, and that feel that I've always had the same issues in childhood that I have now. I'm looking into local areas where I can be tested. Be safe and well, lovely lady!

I was diagnosed last year at the age of 24. We women mask the symptoms a lot, it makes everything very difficult. But now we can know ourselves, it's a relief to finally have the answer. (I'm from Brazil)

You talking about the college literature was scarily relatable.

Thank you for sharing your story! I am getting feedback at the end of this month to determine if I’m autistic or not. Never thought I’d be going for an evaluation ,until it started affecting my daily living skills more than usual. I know that whatever outcome I get , will be a new path to start healing myself, but I can’t help but be scared at the fact that what if they tell me there’s nothing wrong with me and I’m not autistic.

I was diagnosed at 35. I am now fifty. Thank you for sharing ❤️💗

Oh my gosh I have been watching a lot of diagnosis processes for different people and it was really relieving to find that both of our evaluations were very similar! I was super anxious about the tests and going through the diagnosis process so I wanted other people’s perspectives to prepare. I actually started to cry of frustration during the X space bar test aaannnd I fell asleep during the beeping space bar test (they asked me to not take any caffeine or stimulant meds before those tests). I’ve already been diagnosed and medicated with major depressive disorder, GAD, and ADHD at 18 years old (I’m 20 now) and my psychiatrist has dropped hints that I have bipolar type 2. I recognize that I am so lucky and privileged that I got an appointment completely covered by my insurance and about a week or two after I called, I got my first intake interview. My tests have been spread out so much. Including the interview, I’ve had 3 appointments total and I still have 2 more in a couple weeks, the ones I have coming up are 1-on-1 appointments with my psychologist. I’m so nervous to get my final report. I’m sure I’m autistic and maybe have some other comorbid conditions. I still live with my parents and I haven’t told them yet that I’m going through this process… I’ve been in therapy for several years now and I’m planning to sit them down for a family session once I have my full report. Hopefully it’ll open their eyes and change their mind about my sibling who’s wanted an evaluation for a while but they’re still a minor and my parents are a bit close minded (ie “You’ve always done well in school,” “You don’t act like [insert stereotype],” “You developed so normally, everything about you was normal”) I’m looking forward to getting the evaluation process over with and finally have some answers. Maybe I’ll update this comment once I get my report (if I remember)

Thanks for this! I have the first part of my test coming up in a few weeks. A little nervous, but videos like these help a lot :-)

so glad i found your channel in a sea of autism-parent we need a cure ridiculousness..... a breath of fresh air

I’m 18 and was diagnosed with ADHD this year, but I still think there’s more then just ADHD, when you mentioned the college lectures, it totally reminded me of myself and my everyday thoughts. I don’t know how to mention it to my mom because she was already in denial of my adhd and still kinda is, there was a way for me to get a IQ testing at my school but it was $2000 which my family can’t afford, and I was really hoping to get it because I feel like it could’ve given me more answers on why I struggle so much education and social wise. I have no idea what to do because I just know there’s something else doing on with my brain I can’t pick up on normal conversations and meanings which is very stressful when you’re a teenage girl and a human who actually enjoys socializing with people a lot of the time! ☹️

Thanks for the info.

This sounds so much of how my entire school years have been (I’m 24 and my psychologist just recently told me that I’m autistic).

My nephew was 12 when he had to do a report on a type of disability. Living on central WI, back in the 90's, he had no internet access. I printed out loads of information and faxed it up to him. After reading through all the info, he went to his Mom and said, "Mom, this sounds a lot like me." So my sister took all the info, read through it, and went back to my nephew and said, "Joe, this sounds a lot like me, too." They were both diagnosed with ADD. Unfortunately the school district refused to help my nephew at all. They ended up moving closer to Milwaukee and their new local school district immediately put him in an alternative High School. It was exactly what he needed and he even graduated early!! My sister went back to school and was given many adaptations so that she could do better in her classes. I think it happens all the time.

It’s really a common thing that autistics score very high in one area and lower in another. My oldest took an IQ test as part of a school evaluation and his scores in different areas were all over the place. My youngest took an IQ test for an evaluation for dyslexia. His scores were across the board average. Outside of the youngest child never showing any typical signs of ASD, this just confirmed that my oldest child has ASD and my youngest does not.

Cammie, did you go through the ADOS-2 module 4, the one for adults? I'm really nervous about not knowing what to expect. I'm already diagnosed, but I'm doing a complete neuropsych evaluation for further details. My original one was not detailed at all.