At age 54, Peter Mann finally received an official autism diagnosis after years of feeling different. The process was difficult and expensive, but Mann says it was worth it. He is now able to connect with others in the autism community and learn routines and coping skills that have helped him in his daily life.
Mann’s journey to diagnosis began when he saw an interview on the news in which a NASA worker described their experiences with autism. Mann realized that many of the traits described, such as hyperfocus and a narrow set of interests, resonated with him. He took several online assessments that suggested he could have autism, and he decided to seek an official diagnosis.
Finding a doctor who could diagnose adults with autism was not easy. Mann called around to several places, but the testing was all geared towards children. He finally found a psychologist in Oregon who was willing to work with him. The assessment process involved a written assessment and initial screening, followed by an hour-and-a-half or two-hour extensive Q&A session. It involved reliving experiences from Mann’s childhood and was very detailed and intense.
When the psychologist finally diagnosed Mann with autism, he broke down. It was so emotional for him to have a qualified professional tell him that all the stuff he lived through was because he’s just wired differently. At that moment, he started going back and reflecting on all the difficulties, the judgments, and the stigma that he’s dealt with his whole life. It reframed all these experiences.
Insurance wasn’t going to cover Mann’s assessment. But he was able to save in a few ways. For starters, he opted not to get the full package of testing which includes assessments for other conditions. He knew he didn’t have ADHD and he wasn’t interested in spending more money to get tested for the others. So the psychologist tailored the test to just include questions about autism, which sped up the process and got the cost down.
The process of getting diagnosed was very difficult and just as mentally taxing as it was financially — from having to call around to various doctors to the hours-long assessment that forced Mann to reflect on his past. Getting a diagnosis is way harder than it needs to be. There’s no system set up to help adults with autism, and so many who want an official diagnosis will go undiagnosed. Mann was just lucky enough to have the resources and ability to put the necessary time in to find a provider.
For Mann, it was important to hear the words from a professional that this was real. He didn’t want to just “self-diagnose” because he took an online quiz. But he’s since found that the autistic community is a welcoming one — and if you associate with a lot of these traits, the community will welcome you with open arms. You don’t have to go through all the testing to get that connection and be accepted.
But at the time, Mann didn’t know that. Still, he’s grateful that he got an official diagnosis. It was the first step to connecting with others in the autism community, and learning routines and coping skills — like masking — that helped him in his day to day.
Despite the headache of finding the doctor and the cost of getting the diagnosis, Mann found getting the diagnosis wholly worth it. “There are so many adults who are undiagnosed who would really benefit, but the process isn’t for us — it’s all geared towards kids,” Mann says. “For me, this is the most life-changing experience I’ve had. Ever.”.
