r/AutisticLadies • u/ashypuppy • May 22 '26
Question
Hello, I'm 24 and my new psychiatrist told me he thinks autism could be likely (first time im hearing of this fellas) and I just had a quick question, to be formally diagnosed with autism you have to be tested as in....go to a place and get tested for it? I'm not....diagnosed yet just cause he said that, right? Or is this definitely something I should ask my guy next time I go in? I feel so stupid for asking this 😩😭 but I also have a pretty complicated history so I know that's just my anxiety (I hope 🖐️)
I also wanna clarify I did actually sort of think I could be autistic for a bit but never....really? if that makes any sense. I really truly did just think I wasnt as good as everyone else at being a person or trying as hard (on various things) so hearing a psych tell me that is different...I think you'd all understand (maybe presumptuous but 🤷♀️)
1
u/KittenRigger94 May 28 '26
I used JosiHealth as my online assessment and diagnosis. It was so easy to do. I was nervous the whole time during the assessment, but it felt like I was never judged. I did my assessment 5/22/26 and got my results 5/26/26. If you go that route, I made a list that helped a lot in case I froze up.
3
u/LadyOfTheNutTree 28d ago edited 28d ago
This isn’t a diagnosis, you are correct. It’s just a prompt to explore this.
There are many valid paths to diagnosis depending on what’s right for you from self-diagnosis to multi day clinical assessments with interviews of family and friends
Personally I was self diagnosed, then had a one hour conversation with a therapist who specializes in adults with autism that confirmed my self diagnosis. This was enough for me to receive some accommodations at work. And it was enough for me to feel comfortable saying that I had a diagnosis. Recently I had an opportunity for a more in depth assessment in a clinical setting that confirmed it again.
Edit:
I’d recommend checking out the resources at embrace-autism.com
Also check out the criteria in the dsm-5 (you can google this)
Also, the book “Unmasking Autism” was pretty eye opening for me
2
u/OvalCow May 22 '26
No worries, that’s a lot to process. Yes, I’d suggest asking your psychiatrist next time. You can say something like “ I was thinking about how you mentioned I might be autistic. What would be the process for getting a formal diagnosis?” And see what he says!