The importance of a diagnosis by Karen Binns
Written on 3rd Apr 2014 by Alex Lowery
Today we have an article from a Special guest called Karen Binns, who is a Photographer, diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome at the age of 30. She is doing Photography for my book cover. I asked her to write an article about her diagnoses. Enjoy reading!
When I first approached a Dr to try and gain a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome I was met with “There are plenty of adults with Aspergers living normal lives and don’t need a diagnosis, you don’t need a diagnosis.” and that was that… GUTTED!
Moving house ment I had a new surgery, and after discovering Your Voice, an advocacy focusing on ASD I had the confidence to try again! I felt I needed the diagnosis to understand myself and to explain my behaviour to others. Your Voice Advocacy helped me prepare notes for my appointment, giving me confidence in what I was to say. I was ready for battle… luckily my Dr listened. BUT… he did not know where or who to refer me to… If Drs don’t know where to send you if you have ASD and there are so many people on the spectrum – JUST HOW UNIMPORTANT IS AUTISM?! Finally we found somewhere and I was referred. Some place in Sheffield. In the appointment, 5 minutes into my big Aspie babble the Dr stopped me and diagnoised me then!! YES!!!! She hadn’t needed the 2 hour rant I’d been practising in my head or the 14 pages of notes!
I would advise anyone seeking diagnosis not give up, try and locate an understanding advocate and prepare yourself well. Since gaining my Aspie status I have felt I belong to a community of like minded people who have similar struggles and strengths! I like myself more now, I am no longer a freak I am Autistic and it explains so much of my unusual behaviour that I could never get my head round previously. Also, it has enabled me to get my dream job, photographing people and families on the Autistic Spectrum and being the Official Photographer for many big Autism Awareness Events across the country.
You can read more about her here and here.
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I think understanding earlier in my life I have Aspergers would have saved me a lot of pain. It was only after I discovered myself by helping a charity for autistic kids has life felt more acceptable. I wasted a lot of my life wanting to disappear and not wake up on a morning. I haven’t had a diagnosis and after what I’ve been through I don’t have the energy. Life begins at forty they say, well I truly hope it leads to sustainable work. I tell people of my ASD and certainly feel happier in myself with my brain as my friend and not my undoing. Good to see a successful aspie women here.
Excellent message! It saddens me that the first doctor would not do as you ask – what happened to “do no harm?” Not listening to a patient is a huge harm! Glad you kept pushing and got what you needed, a testament to your strength.
Thank you for the replies 🙂 I do wish I had had an earlier diagnosis, very few had heard of ASC when I was young though. All came good in the end 🙂
Thanks for sharing that Karen, I went to Doctor last week to request a referral for Diagnosis, luckily ny Doc agreed and now waiting for my appointment, cant wait, I will finally feel whole…:)
I wish you good luck in your photos. I will be looking forward to seeing the cover on Alex book.
GREAT article. I love Mental Health Awareness Month because there are so many people talking about the importance of diagnosis and the crying need to stop stigma. Hope everybody reads Obama’s inspiring MHA Month Proclamation – and will hop around the web supporting as many MHA Month posts as they are able. (Comments & likes help posts get seen – and posts like this one are SO important)
FYI: I linked this post as Related Content in my 2016 MHA Month post: The importance of a Diagnosis – Name it to Tame it. I hope you’ll have some time to check it out.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to transform a world!”