A few questions about diagnosis
I think that I'm autistic. I've done research for a little over a year now, and ruled out other possibilities, and I believe I could be autistic. I feel like a diagnosis could help me understand myself a bit better, but I would need to ask my mom to help me. Is there any advice for mentioning autism to parents, and not have them tell you that there's nothing wrong with you?
Also, for anyone from Canada (or someone who was diagnosed in Canada, but isn't from Canada), what's the diagnostic process for getting diagnosed, specifically as a teenager?
@pioneeringPlace1748
If you suspect you're autistic, initiate a conversation with your parents by preparing, sharing your feelings, and explaining the benefits of a diagnosis. Emphasize that it's about understanding yourself better, not finding something "wrong" with you. In Canada, the diagnostic process for teenagers typically involves a referral to specialists, multidisciplinary assessments, information gathering from various sources, and, if necessary, receiving a diagnosis followed by post-diagnosis support to help you access appropriate resources and assistance.