Re: Thanks to the listserv ... and my PDD/NOS diagnosis ...

[Guest guest]

, this is heartwarming. Thank you for sharing with us.

Onwards and upwards!

Judy B, Scotland

Subject: Thanks to the listserv ... and my PDD/NOS diagnosis ...To: aspires-relationships Date: Friday, 28 November, 2008, 1:58 PM

I wanted to share some personal news with the listserv. On Wednesday I received a diagnosis of PDD/NOS, with the information that I had had full Aspergers when younger, and have moved along the spectrum in the course of my adult life in terms of 'Theory of Mind' skills. It has been such a great relief to me to discover this. I developed a depression when I was in my late teens, which has never really left me - in a minor form - for over 30 years. Since Wednesday, I feel as though it has started to lift ... and I have come to realise that I was struggling against the odds as an adolescent, trying my very best to make my life work, and not making much progress through no fault of my own. It is a time for a very radical re-framing of my history ... and a time for me to think about how I can treat myself kindly in future, and not put pressure on myself any more to attain unreasonable goals for

which I am not consitutionally suited, and instead to direct my energies into projects and activities that draw on the talents and experience that I do have.One interesting thing I was told is that, when I get stressed, I move deeper into the spectrum, from PDD/NOS to full AS again. I was amazed to hear that from the psychologist, as it exactly accords with my experience. I will now hopefully be in a position to be mindful whenever that happens, or is about to happen ...I really wanted to say what a marvellous listserv this is, and what a wonderful community it is. I have learned so much of great value from what members have shared - with great compassion - in terms of their knowledge and experience, and it has been and continues to be of enormous support to me. I have also made a wonderful new penfriend - you know who you are! :-) - from where I am in the UK across the Big Pond.I

am so pleased to be able to share my news and appreciation with you via this listserv.Best wishes, (just dx PDD/NOS ... after a lifetime in the darkness .....)

[Guest guest]

Delyth,

I mis-spoke .. not to worry.

- Helen

At 01:05 PM 11/29/2008, you wrote:

>I am a little confused and a bit worried... didn't mention Maxine

>Aston.... why did you, Helen?

[Guest guest]

PS to ... I should re-read posts before I reply. I was in a hurry. Sorry!

- Helen

[Guest guest]

Hi Delyth

Thanks for contributing to this thread. Helen is a friend of mine, so

she knows I was diagnosed/assessed by Maxine Aston.

It was a big thing for me: because of my perfectionistic tendencies

(not always healthy! :-0) I wanted to consult a psychologist who was

one of the 'big hitters' in the ASD healthcare field.

I chose to travel the 100 miles to see Maxine Aston in Coventry

because I had solid confidence in her experience and international

reputation, and had discerned the depth and extent of her knowledge

and insight from the two books of hers I had read. Given the

tremendous insights she had into my psychology and experience, the

quality of her perception, and how both I and my ex- partner (who was

also diagnosed as having AS by her) have been helped, I am so pleased

about that decision.

I might need you to educate me, Delyth, as to the distinction between

an 'assessment' and a 'diagnosis'. I think the difference is really a

semantic one as far as my own situation is concerned at this moment

in time: my joy at now knowing I have PDDNOS, and finally having an

explanation for the immense suffering I have endured over the years,

and pointers as to how I can now improve the quality of my life, is

unaffected by the semantic question as to whether this judgment made

by an internationally renowned specialist is called an 'assessment'

or a 'diagnosis' because of the technical definition of the terms.

I realise, however, that the judgment may well need to be made by

professionals who have qualified along a certain route to merit the

label 'diagnosis' according to a legal definition, and that this

might well be necessary to access state support in terms of therapy

and allowances, which, of course, is crucial for many people.

I may end up, if I am lucky, getting some therapeutic help on the

National Health Service; and to do so, I may now also need to

undergo, as the next step, an assessment by a consultant clinical

psychologist, (? please educate me on this, anyone who knows) in

order to arrive at what the authorities recognise as a 'diagnosis';

but as far as I am concerned, my joy and relief, after a three-hour

examination, at being told by such an authority as Maxine Aston that

I have PDDNOS, is far more important to me at the moment than the

technical distinction between an 'assessment' and a 'diagnosis', and

I am so grateful to those people who have posted messages

acknowledging my relief and sharing in my joy at finally finding out

that I am on the spectrum.

I do acknowledge, though, that the distinction between an official

deciding one has had an 'assessment', and an official deciding one

has had a 'diagnosis' is likely to be a very important distinction

indeed for those for whom it is the key to receiving social benefits

and services that they desperately need and deserve.

So I do recognise the importance of this distinction for some people;

but please understand that, for me, this week, now that I finally

know ... it makes no difference at all whether the judgment is called

an 'assessment' or a 'diagnosis', and in good Wittgensteinian

fashion, and taking a pragmatic view towards language, I am going to

continue to call it a 'diagnosis', and my joy infuses all these words!

Best wishes, and wishing everyone on the listserv a great weekend!

(dx PDDNOS and starting out on a new life)