Getting an Adult Diagnosis

This video explores 10 top (possible) reasons for seeking an adult diagnosis.

Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, a trailblazer in autism, answers a viewer question about obtaining an autism diagnosis and accessing treatment as an adult. She discusses the new diagnostic criteria, what criteria needs to be met in order to receive a diagnosis, and where you can go to receive a diagnosis. Her recommendations include reading up on The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5), which is the authoritative volume that defines and classifies mental disorders in order to improve diagnoses, treatment, and research.

In this Ability Life Solutions Video Favorite, Paul (#actuallyautistic) talks about what it means to be on the autism spectrum, with a focus on the common experiences of autism, including “masking” or “pretending to be ‘normal,’” that will help you get beneath what it means to be autistic.

In this animated short video, an Ability Life Solutions Video Favorite, common signs or traits of Asperger’s Syndrome are discussed. Many of the signs and symptoms listed below may be hidden in adults, especially those who have not been diagnosed.

n this Ability Life Solution Favorite Video, Dr. Victoria Hughes talks in detail about adult autism diagnosis, guideline procedures, adjustment to the diagnosis once received, and different types of support services.

In this video, a webinar presented by The Johnson Center, Dr. Claire Schutte delivers a presentation geared toward adults who are considering getting an autism evaluation.

In this Ability Life Solutions Video Favorite, Dr. Victoria Hughes delivers a presentation about people who receive an autism diagnosis during adulthood.

In this video, Dan from The Aspie World gives us nine symptoms that can help identify a person’s Aspergers.

ife Solutions Video Favorite, Sam discusses her recent adult diagnosis of autism, and the sense of relief it brought to her to finally receive that diagnosis. She also highlights the fact that many women are diagnosed later in their life than men are.

In this video, Sam (who was diagnosed with autism as an adult) takes the Autistic Quotient Test (AQ Test), and provides some criticisms of the usefulness of the test for identifying autism. She takes us question by question to come up with a score (the test is out of 50). The test asks the test …

Susan Mayes, Ph.D., professor at Penn State College of Medicine narrates this video which includes expert opinions, and interviews with autistic adults who talk about personal experiences while providing examples of some of the challenges of autism including the ups and downs of fitting in. Social environments, services, bullying, adapting to new skills, employment, job …

In this Ability Life Solutions Video Favorite, Yo Samdy Sam gives a no-nonsense comprehensive list of usual and unusual markers for autism. She forgoes medical jargon in favor of easy-to-understand language and examples of common autism traits. Do you want, or even need a diagnosis? Sam thinks a diagnosis – or not – is very …

In this talk, Carrie Beckwith-Fellows shares her personal journey towards attaining a diagnosis of autism in her mid-thirties, and discusses why it took 35 years, including the root causes of this invisible diversity. Carrie, a freelance writer and vlogger from the UK, explores masking, stimming, sensory overload, self-harm, and other ways autistics are taught to …

Lorraine Kelly interviews journalist Laura James, who was diagnosed with autism when she was 45 years old, and in the hospital for an unrelated connective tissue health issue. In this video, Laura shares how her diagnosis – “a light bulb moment” – came to pass, including her lifelong history with sensory issues, rigidity of plans, …

In this brief yet informative talk, Penny Andrews shares that she knew from an early age that she was different from other kids. Penny shares with Fiona Phillips about the impact of autism on her sensory perceptions including bright lights and loud noises, bullying, and other challenges, including the difficulty she had in getting a …

In this video, the rising number of adults being diagnosed with autism and Asperger’s, even into late adulthood, is discussed and the reasons for this trend are examined. An important factor that led to undiagnosed autism and Asperger’s in today’s adults is the relative lack of understanding about autism in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s. …

In this video created for individuals who suspect they may have Aspergers Syndrome, creator Different As Pie discusses what led to her thinking she may have Aspergers. She notes that she has always felt different from others and always had trouble relating to both children and adults, but could never fully understand why she did …

Paul, who discovered he had autism at 30, talks about self-diagnosis as common among adults on the autism spectrum. While some receive a late (formal) aspergers diagnosis, those who discover aspergers for themselves don’t always choose to follow up this self-discovery with an official diagnosis for a variety of reasons, including medical records and how …

20 weeks after the date of her assessment, the video creator Becoming Autism takes a deep-dive into her autism assessment report, which she just received in the mail. She made this video because of the relatively small collection of videos available online which show what an autism assessment report actually looks like. The report begins …

Purple Ella shares about the day she came to question if she had autism, about a year after her young son received his diagnosis. It took a meltdown in front of her son, and the shame and guilt of having that meltdown in front of him to begin her quest to be formally diagnosed on …

In this video, one of our favorite Youtube creators, Sam, updates us 5 months after her autism diagnosis on how she is doing post-diagnosis. She speaks about revisiting memories of hers from a new point of view, and re-learning to interact with others without feeling inferior or wrong for who she is. Additionally, she criticizes …