What are the benefits of getting an autism diagnosis as an adult?
I'm Nicole... autistic with a level 1 diagnosis. I'm 41 now but was diagnosed a few years ago. Here are the main reasons I chose to pursue an evaluation and why I don't regret it for a second.
1. Validation - There's nothing more validating than learning that the reasons you've been picked on, targeted, mistreated, excluded, & considered less than all your life were not because there's anything "wrong" with you... and that you are, in fact worthy of kindness & respect.
2. Confidence - Confidence that I'm finding the right strategies to improve my challenges... and confidence that what I've suspected were the underlying reasons for my challenges are *actually* the reasons for my challenges. Also, I want to KNOW... not just be mostly sure.
3. Proof - There's nothing more empowering than being able to immediately shut people down who accuse me of lying about being autistic. The second I say I'm diagnosed, the "conversation" is over.
4. Documentation - Just in case I ever need actual documentation of my diagnosis. I've not needed it yet, but if I ever do, I have it.
5. Peace of mind - Being that I'm autistic, I have an intense need to be precise, correct, and truthful... and without a formal diagnosis, a part of me would always feel uncomfortable saying with certainty that I'm autistic (even though I fully support self-diagnosis).
I know we're entering a scary time in the US right now, and even in general, a diagnosis isn't going to be best for everyone. But these are the reasons I pursued my evaluation... and I'm extremely glad I did.
Editing to add... I should have said, these are the main reasons I chose to pursue an evaluation *as a level 1 autistic person*... There will likely be different answers if you ask someone who's level 2 or 3 (or their caregivers if the decision was made on their behalf)...
As there are tangible supports higher needs autistic people are often able to access that would likely be a part of their decision making process.