I am going thru more or less the exact thing. My daughter is a client of DORS (Dept of Rehab SVCS ) where we live. They have already sent her for some job training (which she passed but has since not worked out for her). They are somewhat helpful but I am getting the feeling they are losing patience with her. I have requested a mental health eval (done) but found out that the aspbergers eval I specifically requested was not done but the (State) psychiatrist/psychologist because they felt "she was not a candidate for it". She is currently going to weekly visits with a psychiatrist for "anxiety" but I still can't seem to get anyone to listen to me!!! ( I don't have unlimited financial resources but I did manage to get her medical assistance).....

I hear ya! It's so frustrating trying to get others on the same page with us as far as getting any help. Like you, we don't have "unlimited resources" either (to put it mildly). I'd be interested in hearing how things develop for you in that.

There are two sorts of getting diagnosed.

One is diagnostics done by an agency to determine strengths and needs JUST WITHIN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THEIR AGENCY. Often, the agency is either limited in what sorts of things they can diagnose or in what sorts of things they can provide for a particular diagnosis.

The other is done through private providers, and is done for overall life duration and quality.

If someone from an agency that is doing client diagnostics or deciding who is referred for it, says that they doubt someone is a good candidate for them to send for a diagnosis, THAT IS NOT A DIAGNOSIS.

They are saying that the client does not present with the problems that the agency specifically addresses in the area that may be diagnosed. Why not be directly honest and say it that way? There is probably a court case against that type of agency where a judge said that agency staff can't say it, directly. If you get into case law around these sorts of things, suddenly the apparent lack of logic and poor communication you see starts to make sense.

So, if the agency does not provide programming for high functioning autism, then their sending your son to a diagnostician for it is not going to help them help him, in their point of view. However, someone in that agency or among client parents knows who, in the community, works with and is good with adults with all forms of autism rather than what the agency is limited to. Patiently work to find that out, and you can pursue things independently for the diagnosis.

If there is no agency support for the diagnosis, there is still possible support from other providers, from private counselors, and from the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodation in employment. However, you will need to pursue the diagnostics independently, or find agencies that do provide full service to those with high functioning autism spectrum needs.

You will need to look around for psychologists/psychiatrists who are specialists in working with adults with high-functioning autism. You may need to travel to find someone. If you know of adults with autism, you may ask them or their family members who their psychologists are.

I did not get diagnosed until my late 30's... because of work difficulties. It took a bit to find someone who was comfortable helping me find out the label that truly explained my problems.

Most states have a department for rehabilitative and disability services. Also even though he is older chech with the school district parent resource services they may have some answers for you.