Self-Reflections Regarding My Diagnosis

Was it worth getting a clinical diagnosis?

People have asked me whether I thought it was worth getting a clinical diagnosis. My answer has always been a resounding yes! While I cannot speak as to the motivations for other people who have sought an evaluation, I myself have always thought that it's better to know than to not know.

The problem with self-diagnosis websites is that they're not infalliable. The symptoms that are common to people with autism are not unique to this disorder. For example, although a person who faces challenges when interacting with others could be autistic; he or she could have social anxiety disorder. This person could have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD can create issues with communication by affecting executive functions, impulse control, and emotional regulation. This can lead to highly specific traits, such as rapid-fire speech, frequent topic-jumping, and an impulse to interrupt. It can also result in hyper-focus on specific topics and occasional oversharing; all of which are symptoms that are shared with autism.

Anyone who has unresolved tauma affecting trust or a lack of experience in interacting with others could also face communication challenges. Some people who have strongly introverted and reclusive personalities may have issues that stem from a lack of practice and confidence. Others from dysfunctional families may not have had good social role models.

A clinical psychologist has the tools and training to differentiate between autism, social anxiety disorder, trauma, and poor parenting.

Other reasons for getting a diagnosis

• Validation and Self-Compassion: A diagnosis provides an explanation—not an excuse—for a lifetime of feeling "different". It systematically reframes past social struggles, burnout, or sensory overloads from personal failures into biological differences. 

• Legal and Workplace Accommodations: In many countries, an official diagnosis grants protection under disability laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This allows an individual to legally request accommodations like quiet workspaces, written communication instructions, or flexible scheduling. As an FYI, social security will NOT accept a self-diagnosis from anyone who is applying for disability benefits.

• Targeted Therapeutic Support: Standard therapies for anxiety or depression can sometimes fail or cause burnout if they don't account for a person's neurodivergence. A clinical diagnosis ensures that future medical and psychological care is specifically tailored to an autistic profile. 

• Access to Services and Funding: Certain governmental benefits, vocational rehabilitation programs, and specialized adult support groups strictly require a formal diagnostic report to grant access or insurance coverage. 

• Community Connection: A formal confirmation often reduces the imposter syndrome that can come with self-diagnosis. It empowers individuals to confidently seek out peer support and autistic-led communities

An AI rendered illustration of yours truly

How I benefited from my diagnosis

As you might imagine, after I received my diagnosis of autism, I had a long series of "ah-hah" moments as I reflected upon my life and belatedly understood why I had made the choices I did at any number of metaphorical professional and personal crossroads.

Since the ADA entitled me to reasonable workplace accommodations, after filing my disability with my school district's Office of Compliance and Accommodations, I met with my building administration and walked away with the following workplace adjustments.

1. I was excused from having to attend pep rallies and school assemblies.

   
   

2. Although the school had an unwritten expectation that teachers attend local games, no such expectations were now applied to me.

   
   

3. Since I had a need for structure, my building admin gave me a 24 hour heads-up notice regarding any pending emergency drills. They also allowed me to select the start of each month's drill time so as to minimize disruption to my culinary classes.

   
   

4. As a senior class sponsor, I was excused from having to go on an overnight fieldtrip to Disneyland to celebrate the pending graduation in May of 2021. What had particularly bothered me about this trip was the need to be on duty as a chaperon for 24 hours. Since the seniors hadn't wanted to spend money on an overnight stay, their plan would have required a pre-dawn departure so as to arrive in Anaheim just as the park was opening. We would have stayed at Disneyland until midnight and would then have boarded our bus to return home. At no time throughout this day would there have been any private alone time for yours truly.

   
   

5. Although I did not request this, my building admin excused me from having to chaperone any proms.

   
   

6. The building admin also surprised me when they told me that they would mediate any differences I had with other colleagues. Insofar as I hadn't previously had any issues with any of my colleagues, I accepted this offer. As things would turn out, I would need this accommodation. I will write about this in another blog post.

Have any of you ever received a reasonable workplace accommodation?

If so, what did your accommodation(s) look like?

Please share your thoughts in the comments.