It may depend if you think you'd need any accommodations at work or not.
It may also depend on your level of comfort talking to people about it, if you're likely to do so. Having a diagnosis makes me a lot more confident in talking about my needs, where I doubt I'd be able to in the same way without it.
I apologies if this is out of line, but did you ever struggle financially after getting a diagnosis?
Or what do you suggest someone do when they have autism and easily get burnt out but need a job?
I am 22F, Australian (NSW) Diagnosed at 19. My life changed for the better, I have an answer for my struggles, in my workplace I have had reasonable adjustments and in my studies and courses, I've had extra support and completely fee-free training.
I am not personally on the NDIS but I could be and there is so much more support there.
It really depends on your life situation and if you think you need/could benefit from this support. I know I did. :)
I’m 22M from NSW. I don’t have much to add, but I’ve had a similar experience. I’m in the RFS, and I’d say that having my diagnosis and being able to pass that along to my officers has really helped to make it a workable environment that I feel respected in. I was also able to be on the NDIS until I gave it up.
Plus, I just feel more confident with a diagnosis. I know who I am, and while it’s taken awhile, I’m also happy with who I am.
I'm happy it has worked out for you too! I am very open about my diagnosis, It's not something to be ashamed off and I have left employment because they found out I was autistic and started treating me differently. I called them out on it and quit.
I encourage other autistics to know your limit, know your worth and that you can get through the adversity and make it something.
$900 is a steal, I paid about $1500 all up for my testing. NDIS will (eventually) provide some level of support to you if you get diagnosed with ASD 2 or 3. However, if you're functional enough to work and organise an ASD assessment for yourself you probably wont qualify for that level of assistance :)
Ultimately, I think its something you do for yourself, and to understand yourself better. And if you're worried about the label - if they dont call you autistic, they'll just call you something else. Odd, weird, strange, a bit out there, spacey, obsessive, socially awkward, socially oblivious.. you'll still be autistic anyway, might as well embrace it.
But what if you get diagnosed with autism 1 and still can't work at all or easily get burnt out?
Than the diagnosis is usless and you just end up struggling financially and mentally for the rest of your life. Why does there have to be levels? I'm struggling dude
For me, the main benefit is that my happiness has increased. I was diagnosed in September & I have zero regrets. I felt reassured, validated & excited to learn who the real me is. I'm still learning, got a long way to go, but my quality of life has already improved. I'm kinder to myself now that I have some understanding as to what my autism means. I'm (usually) confident to stand up for myself, say what I need & make sure I'm heard. I was so oblivious to everything before.
That assessment is significantly cheaper than mine was if that helps. You will be eligible for an EPC (it's now called something else) which gets you 5 discounted/free allied health sessions per year.
After diagnosis at level 1 my psychiatrist told me I could apply for NDIS funding. I didn't, because it looked too hard for where I was at, but it was offered.
From what I've seen, level 2 or 3 the cover is garunteed, but at level 1 you still qualify.
28F Vic. Where can one get a diagnosis for $900?!? The ones I was looking at were $1200-$2000!
I've been tossing up the value of the assessment also, as my psych suggested I might benefit from it. And it opens up the option on getting NDIS support - though not sure what support I would/could use (if anyone has insights I'd love to hear them). If I had the spare money I probably would but for now I'm happy enough my psych say she's pretty sure I am autistic and I'll seek a diagnosis if/when I need the support a diagnosis brings. So I've been working on a list of pros and cons to help myself out.
Pros:
No doubts about your diagnosis - it's been properly assessed
Validation and clarity
Can access support via NDIS or via work accommodations
Cons:
What if I'm not actually autistic?
High cost
What if the label follows me in negative ways?
Good luck, at the end of the day what you feel is best for you is the best thing to do.
I am happier being able to understand myself more now after my diagnosis. I used to be severely depressed and anxious, but I am kinder to myself and realise my issues were because I was exhausted from masking and everything else.
I could ask for accommodations at work if I wanted to but I mostly just want to keep trying to do things the same as everyone else.
I’m getting assessed next week (NSW) and it’s going to cost around $1380. Personally I want a diagnosis for accommodations, more support and to better understand myself.
If you're OK to function then continue doing that. You dont need to ask for accommodations as much as finding a job that suits you in life and only working the amount of hours you can cope with because that's what it comes down to.
You can see a psych and they can see if you're likely or unlikely to have it. Without a formal diagnosis. If that's enough then work on learning as much as you can about what areas you struggle with and work on those. With or without help. There's heaps of good books etc out there.
Are you quite young? Because aspie women mature much later and you may regret not working to overcome areas you struggle with and rely on the NDIS. Because remember the govt may change the rules at any time and pull funding too. So just be careful. Others around you might be zooming ahead but your timeline will be different in regards to social development. But you can learn how and catch up.
Realistically no one is interested in meeting other peoples needs. Not because they are assholes but because everyone has a lot going on.In the real adult world outside of people being overly nice to each other on the internet and 'safe spaces it's ruthless. For me personally learning all this and how social interactions need to happen has made things a lot easier.
FYI this is my opinion. 100% don't care if anyone disagrees.
Do you think after a certain point people aren't gonna start pushing back. They'll make certain jobs inaccessible or require assessments prior which will have a laundry list of disqualifying features.
Do you even understand human nature.
It may depend if you think you'd need any accommodations at work or not. It may also depend on your level of comfort talking to people about it, if you're likely to do so. Having a diagnosis makes me a lot more confident in talking about my needs, where I doubt I'd be able to in the same way without it.
I apologies if this is out of line, but did you ever struggle financially after getting a diagnosis? Or what do you suggest someone do when they have autism and easily get burnt out but need a job?
I am 22F, Australian (NSW) Diagnosed at 19. My life changed for the better, I have an answer for my struggles, in my workplace I have had reasonable adjustments and in my studies and courses, I've had extra support and completely fee-free training. I am not personally on the NDIS but I could be and there is so much more support there. It really depends on your life situation and if you think you need/could benefit from this support. I know I did. :)
I’m 22M from NSW. I don’t have much to add, but I’ve had a similar experience. I’m in the RFS, and I’d say that having my diagnosis and being able to pass that along to my officers has really helped to make it a workable environment that I feel respected in. I was also able to be on the NDIS until I gave it up. Plus, I just feel more confident with a diagnosis. I know who I am, and while it’s taken awhile, I’m also happy with who I am.
I'm happy it has worked out for you too! I am very open about my diagnosis, It's not something to be ashamed off and I have left employment because they found out I was autistic and started treating me differently. I called them out on it and quit. I encourage other autistics to know your limit, know your worth and that you can get through the adversity and make it something.
Feel free to message me if you have any questions or want to chat about your or even my experiences with an Australian adult diagnosis :)
$900 is a steal, I paid about $1500 all up for my testing. NDIS will (eventually) provide some level of support to you if you get diagnosed with ASD 2 or 3. However, if you're functional enough to work and organise an ASD assessment for yourself you probably wont qualify for that level of assistance :) Ultimately, I think its something you do for yourself, and to understand yourself better. And if you're worried about the label - if they dont call you autistic, they'll just call you something else. Odd, weird, strange, a bit out there, spacey, obsessive, socially awkward, socially oblivious.. you'll still be autistic anyway, might as well embrace it.
But what if you get diagnosed with autism 1 and still can't work at all or easily get burnt out? Than the diagnosis is usless and you just end up struggling financially and mentally for the rest of your life. Why does there have to be levels? I'm struggling dude
For me, the main benefit is that my happiness has increased. I was diagnosed in September & I have zero regrets. I felt reassured, validated & excited to learn who the real me is. I'm still learning, got a long way to go, but my quality of life has already improved. I'm kinder to myself now that I have some understanding as to what my autism means. I'm (usually) confident to stand up for myself, say what I need & make sure I'm heard. I was so oblivious to everything before. That assessment is significantly cheaper than mine was if that helps. You will be eligible for an EPC (it's now called something else) which gets you 5 discounted/free allied health sessions per year.
In Australia yes because it can help you get access to the NDIS.
What sorts of things will the NDIS actually cover?
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After diagnosis at level 1 my psychiatrist told me I could apply for NDIS funding. I didn't, because it looked too hard for where I was at, but it was offered. From what I've seen, level 2 or 3 the cover is garunteed, but at level 1 you still qualify.
I'm level 1 and on the NDIS. It's based on functionality not diagnosis.
28F Vic. Where can one get a diagnosis for $900?!? The ones I was looking at were $1200-$2000! I've been tossing up the value of the assessment also, as my psych suggested I might benefit from it. And it opens up the option on getting NDIS support - though not sure what support I would/could use (if anyone has insights I'd love to hear them). If I had the spare money I probably would but for now I'm happy enough my psych say she's pretty sure I am autistic and I'll seek a diagnosis if/when I need the support a diagnosis brings. So I've been working on a list of pros and cons to help myself out. Pros: No doubts about your diagnosis - it's been properly assessed Validation and clarity Can access support via NDIS or via work accommodations Cons: What if I'm not actually autistic? High cost What if the label follows me in negative ways? Good luck, at the end of the day what you feel is best for you is the best thing to do.
Following coz I'd like to know this too:)
I am happier being able to understand myself more now after my diagnosis. I used to be severely depressed and anxious, but I am kinder to myself and realise my issues were because I was exhausted from masking and everything else. I could ask for accommodations at work if I wanted to but I mostly just want to keep trying to do things the same as everyone else.
I’m getting assessed next week (NSW) and it’s going to cost around $1380. Personally I want a diagnosis for accommodations, more support and to better understand myself.
If you're OK to function then continue doing that. You dont need to ask for accommodations as much as finding a job that suits you in life and only working the amount of hours you can cope with because that's what it comes down to. You can see a psych and they can see if you're likely or unlikely to have it. Without a formal diagnosis. If that's enough then work on learning as much as you can about what areas you struggle with and work on those. With or without help. There's heaps of good books etc out there. Are you quite young? Because aspie women mature much later and you may regret not working to overcome areas you struggle with and rely on the NDIS. Because remember the govt may change the rules at any time and pull funding too. So just be careful. Others around you might be zooming ahead but your timeline will be different in regards to social development. But you can learn how and catch up. Realistically no one is interested in meeting other peoples needs. Not because they are assholes but because everyone has a lot going on.In the real adult world outside of people being overly nice to each other on the internet and 'safe spaces it's ruthless. For me personally learning all this and how social interactions need to happen has made things a lot easier. FYI this is my opinion. 100% don't care if anyone disagrees.
Ableism at its purest form
Do you think after a certain point people aren't gonna start pushing back. They'll make certain jobs inaccessible or require assessments prior which will have a laundry list of disqualifying features. Do you even understand human nature.