If youâre seeking an autism diagnosis I need you to understand a few things pleeaase hear me out
Not meeting the actual criteria is the only valid reason for them to deem you allistic!!!
just so weâre clear, the actual criteria says nothing about avoiding eye contact, flat affect, flapping hands, or anything along the lines of outwardly seeming âautistic enoughâ (because it is a neurological condition, in your brain, which is not visible. there is no such thing as looking or seeming autistic because autism doesnât look or seem any one way, it is extremely different for everyone)
If they cite any of these commonly cited reasons (or anything other than the actual criteria)âŚRUN. Do not take them seriously. Consult a less ignorant clinician. Seek help elsewhere
If you are actually worried about not seeming autistic enough, say something like âIâm high masking and am not able to unmask on command, will the assessment account for this?â when you meet your assessor
If you know you are uncomfortable with confrontation or unable to hold your ground in that kind of situation, look into getting a patient advocate.
Allistic people do not spend time and energy obsessing over whether or or not theyâre autistic. They just donât. So if you really truly think you are and you want a clinical diagnosis, do not give up. Do not take no for an answer. You know yourself better than anyone.