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5 Things I Wish I Had Been Told Before Receiving Diagnoses for My Disabilities
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When I received my diagnoses of autism, inattentive ADHD, and OCD, there were a lot of inconvenient truths that I received no warning about. I am hoping I can help at least one person take some short cuts toward understanding and mentally preparing for frustration by sharing what I wish I would have known in advance of receiving these diagnoses.
1. Any documentation you receive as a part of the diagnosis process isn’t meant to serve you, the patient
And if it does, even a little, it’s pretty much entirely happenstance. Good for you. Depending on what you’re getting diagnosed with, who is doing it, and who besides you might also end up seeing the records your examiners/assessors have just prepared. Different things will end up in said documentation depending on the target audience, which may include employees at your health insurance company, staff handling the gatekeeping of disability accommodations at an educational institution you either already attend or plan to attend soon, workers at government agencies, judges, other…
