Mastodawn

Zumbador Sep 26, 2025

I've done the thing I've never thought I'd do - made an appointment to be officially assessed for Autism and ADHD. I know I'm autistic, but I'm less sure about ADHD, and want to see if ADHD medication might help me. I hate the idea of being officially diagnosed for ADHD but not Autism, not sure how rational that is.

Also, there are times when I have to tell someone that I'm autistic and I dislike having to negotiate the whole "but are you officially diagnosed" thing.

I'm conflicted about this as I believe that autistic self diagnosis is completely valid. I also wonder how the person assessing me will deal with the fact that I'm self diagnosed.

The place I'm going to (the Neurodiversity Center in Cape Town) has a good reputation for dealing with neurodivergent adults. So I hope I don't regret doing this. It's expensive too.

Must admit that part of what motivates me is just wanting to be *seen* for who I am.

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Douglas Edwards

@Zumbador @autistics Go for it. Official diagnosis of #autism is about getting unreasonable people to treat you better — NOT about the validity of self-diagnosis.

TBH I'd like to do the same thing, but here in the #USA it might eventually get me hauled off to a camp by goons working for #BrainWormsJr.

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Zumbador Sep 26, 2025

@dedicto @autistics Yes one of the reasons I've decided to go for it is because it looks like I'll be able to get a diagnosis without it being on any kind of official record. That's not the case in many places in the USA, which is outrageous, actually.

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Dziadek Sep 26, 2025

@Zumbador @dedicto @autistics

I wish you well in this. Hope you get what you need.

I must add that I do not take kindly to people "prying" into my medical history. I had the same problem with my alcoholism. No more.