5 Reasons Not to Seek an Adult Autism Diagnosis

There are many adults realizing they have had Autism all along, and thinking about getting a diagnosis. I am diagnosed. For me the pros outweighed the cons. But it's important that you know the cons as you're deciding whether or not to get an Autism Assessment. Don't make ANY decisions based on this information. Talk with your doctor and lawyer to figure out what is best for you. **This is not medical or legal advice.**

It can be expensive. We're talking $2000 to $3000 USD usually, and most insurances try to avoid covering it. Even if yours does, it could be next to impossible to find someone in your area who evaluates adults. If you are not a white male, the evaluator may be dismissive. Written by April Marie Mai 2/12 — It can be expensive. We’re talking $2000 to $3000 USD usually, and most insurances try to avoid covering it. Even if yours does, it could be next to impossible to find someone in your area who evaluates adults. If you are not a white male, the evaluator may be dismissive. Written by April Marie Mai 2/12

Tips: Look into your Medical Plan Details. I was able to get mine covered because they include Autism assessment and do not specify an age limit. I called 50 doctors and in the end had to get my insurance to help me to find the only one on my insurance doing evaluations. If at all possible, look for one with your ethnicity and gender. Many evaluators are sexist and/or racist and not up to date on Autism research. Practice being yourself & try not to mask during the evaluation. There is a form you will have to have someone else fill out, too. By April Marie Mai 3/12

There isn't a support system for Autistic Adults other than being in the system. To qualify for any help, you're probably going to need 24/7 care. By April Marie Mai 4/12 — There isn’t a support system for Autistic Adults other than being in the system. To qualify for any help, you’re probably going to need 24/7 care. By April Marie Mai 4/12

Tip: Figure out exactly why you want to seek a diagnosis, and look into whether the supports you're hoping it will get you even exist in your area at all, or at a cost you can afford. I got my diagnosis because no one, including my family, would believe me, and I needed their support & compassion. By April Marie Mai 5/12 — Tip: Figure out exactly why you want to seek a diagnosis, and look into whether the supports you’re hoping it will get you even exist in your area at all, or at a cost you can afford. I got my diagnosis because no one, including my family, would believe me, and I needed their support & compassion. By April Marie Mai 5/12

An Autism diagnosis can limit opportunities. Want to move to Australia or another country someday? Need people to take you seriously as a professional and believe you as a patient? Want to join the army or foster kids? Having a diagnosis can take those opportunities away. By April Marie Mai 6/12

Tips: It may totally be worth it for you to get proper medical care. It's important to work to seek out healthcare providers who will accommodate your needs as an Autistic Patient. Ask for accommodations. Tell them you're Autistic before surgeries. Ask for quieter areas if possible and have a little pouch of things that will help you waiting for you. By April Marie Mai 7/12 — Tips: It may totally be worth it for you to get proper medical care. It’s important to work to seek out healthcare providers who will accommodate your needs as an Autistic Patient. Ask for accommodations. Tell them you’re Autistic before surgeries. Ask for quieter areas if possible and have a little pouch of things that will help you waiting for you. By April Marie Mai 7/12

An Autism diagnosis could be used against you when it comes to custody of your children. Whether it's an ugly custody battle or CPS, being diagnosed with Autism could mean you later lose your kids. By April Marie Mai 8/12 — An Autism diagnosis could be used against you when it comes to custody of your children. Whether it’s an ugly custody battle or CPS, being diagnosed with Autism could mean you later lose your kids. By April Marie Mai 8/12

Tip: It's completely wrong and rooted in ableism, but it has happened to some people. You might want to work with a lawyer to do what you can to prevent that from happening ahead of time. Know that being Autistic does not make you less of a parent. Your children may also be Autistic. Model accepting and loving yourself so they can accept and love themselves. By April Marie Mai 9/12 — Tip: It’s completely wrong and rooted in ableism, but it has happened to some people. You might want to work with a lawyer to do what you can to prevent that from happening ahead of time. Know that being Autistic does not make you less of a parent. Your children may also be Autistic. Model accepting and loving yourself so they can accept and love themselves. By April Marie Mai 9/12

You may be denied healthcare you need. In many states, with many of the anti-transgender legislation, Autism is being listed as something that means we are not allowed to take HRT or get life-saving gender affirming care. Some patients have been denied ventilators or put on a DNR without their knowledge or consent because they are Autistic. By April Marie Mai 10/12

Tips: Autistic People are more likely to be transgender, nonbinary, and Queer. Many of the laws being put into place specifically list Autism as barring someone from being allowed gender affirming care, saying that we are incapable of being trans and are being preyed upon. It is likely this is a seed for future claims of incompetence. Figure out where you are likely to get better care and be prepared for an emergency that might mean you have to seek medical care. Build a relationship, write short instructions for what you want and how to interact with you, etc. By April Marie Mai 11/12

April Marie Mai Autistic Artist AprilMarieMai.com @AprilMarieMai Like if you learned something, follow if it was valuable and share if you think it can help others! 12/12

Don’t let these things make up your mind for you!

There are also many pros to getting an Autism diagnosis as an adult. Just keep these in mind as you evaluate whether or not you want to seek one. Many people are choosing not to seek a diagnosis for these reasons. Talk with your doctor and lawyer if you have one, and figure out what is best for you and your family.