It helps to write down a general list so you remember. You will be asked questions about things that relate to these criteria. Preparing the list will help you know what to expect.
Example story (for stereotypy): “I recently saw a video of myself on my eighteenth birthday, when people surprised me with a cake. Everyone else was standing still, while I was rocking and swaying. I stuck out like a sore thumb. Then I learned about stimming and realized maybe I wasn’t strange after all. "
Since the psychologist is an autism expert, they should be patient with your needs. It’s not uncommon for autistic people to have trouble responding to questions, and your psychologist will understand that. It is not disingenuous to write down your thoughts—in fact, it is very helpful, because the responses come from a time when you can collect your thoughts at your leisure. If you may have trouble speaking, you can bring the prewritten responses to the assessment with you.
Don’t just share your results: print out the questions and mark your responses on paper too. This can be a lot more meaningful to the specialist, because they can see why you might be autistic.
“What if people say I’m just faking it for attention?” “What if nobody believes me when I talk about my struggles?” “What if people view me differently if I do get diagnosed?” “What if people laugh at or criticize me?” “What if my family refuses to accept the results?”
Talk to a trusted loved one about your fears if needed.
Dress for the weather. If it’s hot out, bring a light sweater anyway, in case the air conditioning is cold. It’s okay if you “look weird. " The specialist is used to autistic people, and it’s okay to show your quirks.
“My mom refuses to believe that anything is different with me, and I’m worried that if you say I’m autistic or something similar, she won’t believe you. " “I’ve had bad experiences with therapy in the past, and I’m pretty nervous about this. " “All my life, I’ve had people tell me that I’m too sensitive and that I overreact to everything. When I learned about autism, I realized that maybe I wasn’t a bad person. But I’m really scared that people will dismiss me and telling me that I’m overreacting like always. Will you promise to listen and take me seriously?”
It is okay to say “No, I’ve never experienced that” if you have not experienced a certain part of autism. Every autistic person is different, and you’re still valid if you don’t check off every item on a list. Most autistic people don’t.
There’s nothing wrong with you if you mistake something else for autism. You haven’t hurt autistic people in any way, nor are you “stupid” for not getting it right on the first try.
If you’re confused, just ask! For example, “I don’t see how the diagnosis of ADHD would fit me. I’m not hyperactive at all. Could you explain your thinking?” Be assertive if the specialist is rude to you. (It’s rare, but it can happen. ) Say “I don’t feel like you’re listening to me” or “Please take me seriously. " If you’re getting stressed, say so. Say “This is stressful!” or “I need a break!” A good specialist will listen to your needs and help you wind down if needed.
School: A note-taker for lectures, extra time and a private room for exams, being allowed to bring fidgets to class, and access to a disability center[4] X Research source [5] X Research source Work: Working from home, a quiet working space, allowance for taking breaks, noise-canceling headphones and fidget tools, clear written instructions, mentorship, etc. [6] X Research source
Recognize that occasionally, professionals can be wrong. [7] X Research source For example, a specialist who only works with young autistic children might miss more subtle signs of autism in an adult.
