Asperger Syndrome: How I Was Diagnosed With Autism

I received my diagnosis of being autistic when I was 21 years old. In high school, I had displayed social-communication deficits. Although I had displayed social-communication deficits during my high school years, there were not addressed until I was a junior in college.

Unlike high school, I was entirely friendless in college and incredibly displeased with my social and academic experience. After expressing my dissatisfaction multiple times, I went to see a licensed clinical professional counselor in my hometown Chicago during spring break. I want to share my experience of being diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.

Diagnosis

During my evaluation, I sat in a private room with a professional counselor and answered multiple questions regarding my past and current social experiences. I answered each question honestly. Not once did I felt ashamed about sharing my personal experiences about interacting and communicating with people.

I felt that I was in a safe environment that was free of judgment. In my mind, each question was to help my counselor gain and record data in order to properly evaluate me. I would have been doing a huge disservice to myself if I responded to questions untruthfully to avoid embarrassment.

Post-Diagnosis

Two weeks later, my counselor informed that I displayed multiple symptoms consistent with Social Anxiety and being on the Autism Spectrum. I easily accepted my diagnosis. It was confirmation that there was a reason why I behave the way I do socially.

Not much had changed after my diagnosis. I didn’t know how to navigate my autism through the rest of my college years and as a young adult. My college experience had never improved. But I’ve never looked back and wondered how things may have been different if I had the right assistance and support. That is my story of how I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.