I'm scared sh****** that I won't find what I want to find (i.e. I might find out I'm NT after all), I know I wasn't in the propers stat of mind when I went in to get assessed and maybe wasn't completely honest and might have underperformed in certain areas. But painful it might be i need to know for sure, whichever way the report swings.

The thing is, not sure how to go abt doing it now. I got assessed for AS, where they picked up the ADD aside thing a few years back at school on the request of the school principal. Now that im in Uni, as far as I can tell the Unit that handles these sort of things does not have any assessment services. And anyway on what grounds do I present a case to get assessed even if they did? How does one get subsidies for this sort of thing and such?

First, what's "NT"?

Second, your goal should always be to get the correct dx, not the one you think is correct. Getting treated for the wrong disorder will only make your problems worse.

Third, I don't know how it works where you are, but here all you need to do to get assessed at school is ask. Almost every university has a department that handles students with disabilities and they often have a testing procedure for ADHD. If they don't, they refer students to counseling services that most universities also have.

If none of these services are available and you're not sure how to find a mental health professional, start with your primary care physician. They should be able to give you a referral or tell you how to go about finding someone.

As far as reasons go, all you need to do when someone asks "Why do you need this appointment?" is say that you are having a very difficult time concentrating and suspect ADHD or a similar problem.

Good luck!!

NT= neurotypical, usually used to descibe someone who does not have an ASD, but can sometimes (in this context) desribe someone who doesnt have a brain "difference"

thats what im after. a correct dx. i dont know what to expect this time round but i want to find out if theres really something going on with me or not. then at least i know i am being completely honest about it.

unfortunately such services appear to be non existent in my uni.

NT= neurotypical
I thought you meant something like that, but wasn't sure.

Here's my take -- if there is nothing wrong, you wouldn't be desparate for help!


thats what im after. a correct dx. i dont know what to expect this time round but i want to find out if theres really something going on with me or not. then at least i know i am being completely honest about it.

unfortunately such services appear to be non existent in my uni.
I know we all want the correct dx, but it's really easy to forget that when you desparately need someone to help. I've been there; most of us have. We are so afraid someone will say, "There's nothing wrong with you; I can't help you," that we can't help but look for ways to make ourselves fit into the box we think we belong.

But, a good doc will listen, will be sympathetic, and will recognize that a true problem exists. It's a sure sign that something is wrong when the patient struggles (often unsuccessfully) to keep control of their emotions when telling the story!

Since there's nothing available at school, I'd find a new psychiatrist and tell them you are unsure your dx was correct because you think you may have unintentionally (or intentionally) tainted the results. Be honest and up front so they have all the information, then they will ask the right questions to fill in what's missing.

Good luck!

The thing is, not sure how to go abt doing it now.

Looking for a doctor??? I am not clear as to exactly what you are asking here. I want to help but about all I am getting is your univercity doen't have a health clare clinic??? I not even sure this is correct.

Deep breath slight re-phrase may be of assist. in helping me understand.

Looking for a doctor??? I am not clear as to exactly what you are asking here. I want to help but about all I am getting is your univercity doen't have a health clare clinic??? I not even sure this is correct. My university doesnt do assessments for these sort of things, I don't even think they refer you. Basically as a student on a very tight budget and given the limited rescources on campus, I'm not sure where I should be asking around for help.

I've been there; most of us have. We are so afraid someone will say, "There's nothing wrong with you; I can't help you," that we can't help but look for ways to make ourselves fit into the box we think we belong.
Yes this completely sums it up!

Long shot.....Have you tried your local mental health usually under your county name followed by MHMR....I would place a call to them if they can't help (they go by income sliding scale) maybe they have some ideas of where you can go!!!!!

I pay from my treatment privately (doctor visits and meds) which can be pretty expensive especially initially.

The thing is, not sure how to go about doing it now. I got assessed for AS, where they picked up the ADD aside thing a few years back at school on the request of the school principal. Now that im in Uni, as far as I can tell the Unit that handles these sort of things does not have any assessment services. And anyway on what grounds do I present a case to get assessed even if they did? How does one get subsidies for this sort of thing and such?It might help us to give you ideas if we had some idea of which country you're in. It sounds as if it's probably not the US, maybe the UK? In the US every college and uni that receives federal funds (so far as I know) has to provide some sort of support services for students with learning disabilities or mental health issues. This usually includes an assessment (but how good it is may vary). But having been assessed and given a diagnosis at least once helps validate the need.

For the moment, let's flip it around and assume your original diagnosis was correct: AS plus ADD. What would change for you if a second source also said it was true? Are you looking for therapy, meds, some kind of disability stipend, some accomodations in school? Or do you simply wish to know which label most accurately describes your issues so you know where to go to learn more about it and find others who share similar obstacles?

If it is more about the latter, i.e. self-understanding and community, then you might investigate web sites and support groups for adults with AS. Ask them who they have found to be good clinics or doctors or groups in your area. Learn about how they have coped, from schoolwork to career planning. A good community of like-minded people helps enormously! And even if you are just a "bit" AS it can't hurt to spend time with people who have been diagnosed and see how much of yourself you see in their stories.

In all events you have my sympathies. I have known many adults with AS and the more "high functioning" and intelligent, the harder it is to get a good diagnosis or the best help because physicians and shrinks are often unfamiliar with autistic spectrum traits in adults, and there is no definitive test for it. So it's easy for them to look at you superficially and see an NT, even if you know that the inner struggle is anything but "neurotypical."

I just finished an outstanding book, "Somebody Somewhere" by Donna Williams. You may wish to read that yourself for a very moving portrait of how the autistic spectrum can vary from one adult to another, as seen from the inside out. If you go web surfing on the topic, you might also look at titles by Simon Baron Cohen (if I remember right) who also has several titles about AS in adults.

Best of luck to you!