Are You Official? I don't mind, come in please :)

I went to an autism related website the other day, as I often do. What I found there quite surprised me, it was a statement something along the lines of- we cannot accept people who are self diagnosed as we have all fought very hard for our diagnosis. Well if that don't beat all. It's like a labeling snobbery we're official your not now get lost...It's hard enough out there, from a parents perspective anyway, to get services and professionals to take you seriously without an 'official' diagnosis, actually even with one sometimes. I sort of understand what they are saying towards adults who feel they may be on the spectrum but haven't been diagnosed as such, the adult concerned could be entirely wrong with his assumption that he is on the spectrum and whatever indications he has to make him believe he is, it may be in error, as there are many disorders which can be similar in some aspects to autistic spectrum disorder such as Avoidant Personality Disorder to name one. But honestly where is the harm in it. Many adults who probably are on the spectrum don't feel the need to get a diagnosis but may feel the need to share their thoughts with and get support from other auties or aspies. How on earth do they check if your 'official' or not anyway, as far as I know there isn't a diagnosed list one can look up, oh yes A.Smith diagnosed by A.Quack on such and such a date- err yer right!.
Thing is where do the self diagnosed or those simply awaiting diagnosis go? Too the many other less 'blinded by labels' sites around the net, that's where and thank goodness for them too. Your loss I'd shout back as I legged it.

By the way on that subject anyone is welcome to comment, criticize, question or just say hiya here, whatever planet they hail from whether they have an 'official' passport or not! As long as it ain't spam(or tuna, lol) its welcome I say :)