Pursuing a Diagnosis
Hello, I'm a 16 years old high school student.
For background, I've often been told that I likely have autism {by my close friends now and my family used to say "You're just one step above your brother." when I was younger [my brother is diagnosed with mid-high level autism (this was before autism began to be known as a spectrum, yet mostly my country is still behind on that node)]—basically stuff like that.}. I have spent a few years researching autism (at first for my brother; after I became more knowledgeable on the topic, myself), have checked the diagnostic criteria as well as several tests such as RAADS-R and CAT-Q. A few months ago my mother urged me to ask her about autism, I've printed my test results as well as the answers and submitted them to my then-therapist. When I first brought it up the exchange went almost exactly as following:
—Several people have urged me to check for autism spectrum, I have collected my test results, here.
—Dear, you don't have autism. You're not like your brother.
—I know, but autism is now known to be a spectrum.
—Aspergers, maybe...
—It's a part of the spectrum. That's why I specified "autism 'spectrum'" when I said it.
—I think you have social phobia, not Aspergers.
—Could you at least check the file, please?
She took the file but didn't touch it until about half the session was past; she then gave me an emotional wellness questionnaire and a few minutes after I began filling the blanks, she took the file, read the first page and didn't bother checking anything else. She closed the file pretty quickly. She said that she still believed I had social phobia, I felt like I had been shut down without enough consideration but didn't say anything because she's supposed to be an autism specialist (Autism is extremely undereducated in my country and I'm sure she definitely only worked with younger children before but I thought she knew enough English to educate herself even though it was annoying that she didn't even check the file or give me a reason for her statements.), the session went on with us going over the emotional wellness questionnaire.
I didn't like my then-therapist before that as well (we fought over matters such as morals and "absurdism vs existentialism" often and she'd always ask the same question over and over again only to misunderstand), I only went to her in order to ask if I was on the spectrum or not and since I had an answer I needn't do that anymore. I talked to my mother about if I could drop therapy, she replied no. I went there for a couple weeks after that as well. With theatre club rehearsal getting more and more often I dropped therapy by using it as an excuse. My mother wants me to resume it, however I don't want to so I haven't brought it up yet.
A friend of mine told me that she thinks I'm definitely on the spectrum. I learnt that she had extra-time for a life changing exam because she had ADHD, which means there's a slight chance that I might if I have autism as well. Throughout the years many people told me that I have it without me even saying anything about it, especially the friend I mentioned. I'm wondering if I should actually pursue a diagnosis (I'm not saying I'll definitely get one, I won't call myself autistic unless I do as well.) or not; and if I should, my options are that I can pursue a diagnosis from my then-therapist (I likely won't be able to drop therapy until a year has passed and I genuinely dislike her) or I can seek guidance from our counselors teacher after schools reopen but I don't want to neglect my studies in order to see him and last time I asked for help in studying, he told me he needed to speak with his friend about it and didn't for the following month—end of school (He told me to come next semester.).
I'm extremely conflicted on the matter, I'd be really glad if anyone made any suggestions.