How do I go about getting diagnosed with autism as an AFAB adult?

I need a doctor who has diagnosed adult autistic AFAB people before and knows how it presents differently in them compared to children and men in particular. The more about autism I learn, the more everything starts to make so much sense to me, but I have heard horror stories about losing money to incompetent doctors and my anxiety stops me from advancing further. Do you have any reccommendations?
Asked by Light
Answered
03/15/2021

Good evening and thank you for your question,

 

I understand that you may have been noticed some signs that may point to Autism Spectrum diagnosis and it is important for you to know the answer. What you would need to do is to look for "Adult Autism Assessment in GA" and you will get a number of results with various assessment centers that could provide assessment and diagnosis services. There are a number of trusted sources that come up, such as Emory University  and UGA Autism Centers.

 

What you would need to do is identify several places that could work for you, then call around to find out their process and pricing. Assessment services could be expensive, typically running between $1000-$2500 and typically not covered by insurance. At the time of your appointment you would meet with a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist (PhD or PsyD) who would interview you, then perform a number of psychological tests. Some doctors will request to review your school records if available, and may want to speak to some of your family members or close friends (this is called a collateral source).  Sometimes you may have to come in for more than one appointment to complete the testing. After all that is finished, you would wait for your results. You will receive a detailed report with test scores and results of your assessment to include diagnosis. This report will typically include a number of recommendations for further treatment: you may be referred to see a psychiatrist for medication and to a counselor or a therapist to work on skills to live your best everyday life. Some of the most common therapies for autism include ABA or applied behavioral analysis, which helps promote positive behaviors and discourages negative behaviors. Other common treatments for Autism include cognitive-behavioral therapy and CTR (cognitive restructuring in particular). Another way of receiving help could be to look for a counselor who specializes in working with adults with Schizophrenia-type disorders, because those adults also experience symptoms that are typical for individuals with autism: difficulties with communication and social connections, low motivation, neglect of basic daily needs. Therapist could help with reducing anxiety, helping managing strong emotions, creating a schedule/routine and improving functional skills.

 

Finally, I think it is important to ask yourself if you really need this diagnosis. If you are an individual with mild symptoms and may have been navigating life just fine with very minor challenges related to your symptoms, you may need to try to work with a counselor first and see if you could gain skills without having a formal diagnosis.

 

Best of luck to you!

(LPC, NCC)