Hello! My oldest was recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum. Over the course of the journey, I (and now my husband) have noticed more and more that perhaps my husband may actually also be on the Spectrum. He took a couple of online tests that showed that he was possibly borderline Spectrum (Spectrum cut off = 13, he = 11-12). This would explain a lot of the difficulties he/we have been having. He's definitely very "quirky," angers quite easily, speaks direct to almost the point of being aggressive when stressed, amongst many other things. He even started reading a book about a man who was tested later in life for ASD and was diagnosed (at that time) with Asperger's. He says he feels a strong "understanding" and "draw" to many things he says... Now, for anyone who either has been or knows someone who was tested for Autism as an adult, what were the pros and cons? Benefits? Although my husband has no problems, he often feels extremely stressed and under the pressure. Thank goodness, although not to the point of burnout or anything like that. He also has other health issues that aren't bettered by stress. However, under the current situation, he still has to work a regular full-time job. (I'm currently working a part-time job, but because of the level of care needed for our kids, are unable to work sufficient amount of hours.) Would a diagnosis help him in possibly being able to reduce his workload? Any and all input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Maybe ask the doctor that diagnosed your child if they have a contact for adult specialists?
My husband is wary of asking for the actual testing (requesting time off work, costs, etc) without knowing the pros and cons before deciding if he wants the testing. Also the original doctor that tested our son actually moved to another country. We have another doctor, but don't actually know her and aren't even sure what her name is.
Here are two related, albeit older, threads. Perhaps something on there could help you.
Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adults and Children -resources, groups etc.
https://www.englishforum.ch/family-m…roups-etc.html
Adult with autism
https://www.englishforum.ch/family-m…lt-autism.html
Thanks, I'll check it out!
Please note that I've added another link to my post, above.
I was tested for and got an official diagnosis of ADHD, in Switzerland, in my late fifties. It helped me a lot, to explain and to come to terms with what had gone on in the past, and to help with moving on. These types diagnoses are not handed out lightly.
Autism is highly heritable. At least 50%. (from Google).
Even if your husband was tested to be on the spectrum, would it change anything do you think?
Those on the lighter end of the spectrum tend to develop coping strategies as they develop into adults which allow then to lead a pretty normal life.
Interesting thread though.
It might. It would definitely provide some clarity. But my husband is a sometimes over logical man, who wants to know what it meant for others who have been tested (and possibly diagnosed), and if it made a difference in their lives. He wants to know to if it's worth the stress of going to so many doctor's appointments, as he's already had to taken off many, many days from work for my son, to get himself tested. He wants to know if other than clarification/understanding, what might actually come from a possible diagnosis.
I am not sure how the heritable part helps, other than to minimise feelings of guilty, but should one feel guilty anyway?
It is difficult for others to answer questions about whether or not it is worth it in your particular case.
In my case with ADHD, I got a prescription for Ritalin, but found I did not like its effect on me; better concentration but extremely tired when this effect wore off. The diagnosis would have opened doors for therapy which I did not take and it was useful in unforeseen ways later on.
I just read your new thread. Can the mods put them together?
In my case, the ADHD diagnosis affected, but was probably not critical to an IV decision. In the case of your son, it will have huge implications. I hope you can find help.
Hi LMUalumna
You seem to have started several threads about autism, diagnosis, testing and the difference it makes to know and possibly ways of dealing with the situation. I think you might find the responses you get would be more helpful (since you are dealing with two family members) if the threads were merged.
Please, mods, would you please see if you could merge LMUalumna’s threads,
https://www.englishforum.ch/search.p…rchid=23809617
to get all the information in one place? Thank you.
It may help in a diagnosis of the father.
If there was, for example, zero chance that a father could have it if his off-spring had it, then they could immediately rule out autism for the father.
I appreciate this is an extreme example but I'm trying to explain how it might be helpful especially as there is no binary yes/no conclusion for an autism diagnosis.
Exactly, AFAIK, there are no conclusive yes/no conclusions to be made on the basis of current genetic knowledge in this case. But it also highlights the problem of widespread genetic testing at the moment. What is the point of testing if there are no treatments available or decisions to be made as a result? Angelina Jolie type situations are still not common-place.
Personally I don’t think merging the two threads is a good idea as they are dealing with two completely separate issues.
I think he merged the two threads and now can’t un merge them.
In my opinion it’s quite a confusing thread now as the two different issues are jumbled up together and the IV questions related to the child are lost amongst all the adult testing stuff.
Edit to add: I have moved the child related posts into the OP’s other thread about her child’s autism diagnosis and we can keep this one for adult autism diagnosis posts.
I noticed that a couple of online tests were for private practices who charged a few thousand for a formal test.
Call me a cynic but it would be in their interests financially to set questions which would put most people in a borderline category so they go for a formal test.
Do you mind giving a link to the online tests your husband took?
This. According to my reading of an on-line test, I am suffering from female post menopausal burnt tongue. The only cure is hormone replacement therapy. I wouldn't mind if that meant testosterone, but I am sure it is oestrogen - no thank you.
Any testing must be done in person in a professional setting where the tester has no financial interest in the outcome.
IMHO it can be useful to be diagnosed and f'd-up if needed in case it ever leads to time off work/loss of income. If everything is already in place and he has a doctor it's much easier/fast to get medical certificates, insurance claims settled, even find support with IV and managing company HR (in case of possible workplace issues). This said, if he has been able to hold jobs and relationships for a long time, build a family etc. and managed this far it might not be necessary, many people live their life with some kind of quirkiness without having to put medical labels on it, depending on their life circumstances/jobs.
Online tests are useless, even psychiatrists already make a lot of wrong diagnoses or over-medicalization of personal traits without the need of online tests.