Formal Diagnosis Process

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Welsh_Wolf2015
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: 13 Feb 2015
Posts: 38

13 Feb 2015, 6:45 am

Hi. I am wondering if anyone can describe the process of getting a formal diagnosis of AS in the UK. I have self diagnosed myself with AS after years of questioning why I am not what others would call normal. I meet most of the criteria for the diagnosis, and it would explain why I went through certain experiences and acted in certain ways throughout my life.

I get called lazy and weird and often childish by my family, and they also accuse me of making up my problems to get out of doing things. This is very hurtful as I can't explain to them things such as why I'm afraid to get a job or answer the door when someone knocks without it sounding like a lie to those who don't go through these problems. But the main reason I want the formal diagnosis is so I can have closure, and hopefully get some help and guidance to get my life on track. I have gone 27 years like this, and I feel I have missed out on so much due to lack of understanding on my own and others part.

Ashley_Shea
Butterfly

Joined: 2 Feb 2015
Age: 37
Gender: Female
Posts: 9

13 Feb 2015, 9:26 am

Im so sorry that I have no way to answer your question. I also don't have a formal diagnosis and I live in the US, but I also know how very disheartening it can be before you get a response so please allow me to say,

I'm rooting for you! Whatever happens, I hope you do get your life on track. I hope you find friends who are more supportive than your family. I hope that you'll find a way to accept yourself as a whole and blossom into the wonderful you that you are supposed to be. I hope that when that happens, confidence seeps around you and fills in the gaps so that someday, hopefully soon, you can stand up against the tired accusations you face with the soft and warm aura of inner peace and confidence.

Good luck!!

Welsh_Wolf2015
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: 13 Feb 2015
Posts: 38

13 Feb 2015, 10:53 am

Thank you for the incredibly nice reply. It is very difficult when family can't understand.

ApertaVerbum
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: 10 Feb 2015
Posts: 40

13 Feb 2015, 11:19 am

One of my friends went through getting a formal diagnoses after self diagnosing and we live in Yorkshire so it is possible in the UK. I'd imagine you'd have to go to the G.P. and be transferred to a psychiatrist by request for a one to one interview with an appropriately trained psychiatrist.
I've always been a bit anti-self diagnosis though personally. There is a hell of a lot of NTs who can relate to the symptoms in someway because its a spectrum disorder, with so many symptoms its hard not to. I suppose its different being forced to go to the psychiatrist and then being told you're Auty than actively pursuing it. I mean just on a personal note what do you want the formal diagnosis for? It doesn't make you a different person, it just gives you more of an excuse to be socially awkward. I only wish they'd never diagnosed me, now I can't help but feel that what made me interesting is a disability rather than a personality.

Sorry, i always get a bit bitter about it. But yeah there are routes available, try contacting you local Autism support groups and seeing if they can give you any advice.

Aperta Verbum
http://apertaverbum.weebly.com/

Data001
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

Joined: 11 Sep 2014
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 53
Location: South East England

13 Feb 2015, 11:21 am

Welsh_Wolf2015 wrote:

Hi,

I live in the UK and I was diagnosed with ASD in August 2014.

The process to do it is first go to your GP and request a referral to get an assessment, which can take a couple of months or longer depending on the waiting list and what sort of service you have in your area.

If you want to know more I suggest you get in contact with your local National Autistic Society (NAS) branch or find out from your local community hub.

Hope that helps.

Regards

Data001

dancing queen
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 19 Dec 2014
Age: 60
Gender: Female
Posts: 6

13 Feb 2015, 11:24 am

The National Autistic Society Website has some excellent information on getting an adult diagnosis in the UK. You will also be able to find out from there what Autism services are available in Your area. My Husband has recently been diagnosed at 52. It took 9mths for My Husband to be formerly diagnosed But He has been on An Enhanced Care Pathway with our local CMHT for Complex Mental Health for the past 18mths and it was His Care Coordinator and Psychiatrist who referred Him. The usual practice in the UK is to see Your GP and explain the problems You are having and ask for a referral to Your Local Diagnostic Team. Some GP's can refuse but according to NICE Guidelines all Adults are entitled to an assessment. All this information is on The National Autistic Society website and You can even ring or e mail for more information or if You are having trouble being referred. Hope this helps! Good Luck

Welsh_Wolf2015
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: 13 Feb 2015
Posts: 38

13 Feb 2015, 11:38 am

ApertaVerbum wrote:

My family are the kind of people who won't except this is who I am unless it is confirmed by a professional. In there own words I need to "snap out of it". So if I get a formal diagnosis I'm kind of hoping they will learn to understand a bit better.

Thanks for all the replies. I guess it's the local GP first then. Which in itself is quite daunting to me.

ConceptuallyCurious
Velociraptor

Joined: 19 Aug 2014
Age: 29
Gender: Female
Posts: 494

13 Feb 2015, 11:45 am

One thing to consider, is that the diagnositic process usually has a parent/sibling informant - someone with information about your early development. However, it may be possible to get a diagnosis without one (my psychologist liaised with the autism service because I don't have contact with my parents).

Welsh_Wolf2015
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: 13 Feb 2015
Posts: 38

13 Feb 2015, 11:59 am

ConceptuallyCurious wrote:

That's what worries me. Im not in contact with my father, and my mother didn't pay that much close attention to my behaviour and how I acted growing up. She wasn't a bad mother, she just had a lot to deal with due to my sisters problems. I guess everyone just thought of me as shy and extremely private. Because I was good in school and got decent/high grades I was seen as doing fine. When really I was going through a really tough time. It got worse when I left school, I just could not function in the so called real world. Meeting new people everyday and not having the school routine kind of threw me into a meltdown where I couldn't cope so I just shut myself away and spent my time on things that I felt safe doing.

Data001
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

Joined: 11 Sep 2014
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 53
Location: South East England

13 Feb 2015, 3:08 pm

Welsh_Wolf2015 wrote:

Hi,

During the assessment, the ASD specialist does ask questions to a parent or older sibling about what you were like as a baby and toddler. Also, ask your mother, if she is with you, about how you interacted with other kids at playschool, what kind of pregnancy she had with you, or at primary school.

It's the things that happened to you that you won't remember as you were too young at the time. Also, before the assessment you get several questionnaires to fill out and that can help with your ASD diagnosis and they give you the results of those at the end of the assessment.

It does help to go along with the assessment with someone who has known you since you were a child such as parent, older sibling, or friend.

Once the assessment is over they put everything you have talked about and the results of the questionnaires in a report. The ASD specialist will the report to you and one to your GP.

If you got any more questions let me know. Also, it can be helpful to join your local NAS branch so you and your parents can get the support and advice you need.

Regards

Data001

doofy
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 13 Dec 2012
Gender: Female
Posts: 505
Location: Here

14 Feb 2015, 10:19 am

I got my dx in November. I was referred by my psychiatrist. It was about 2 years wait - I'm in Powys.

The psychologist who saw me didn't have any objections to my refusal to involve my family.

It was a 3 hour structured interview.

Welsh_Wolf2015
Tufted Titmouse

Joined: 13 Feb 2015
Posts: 38

15 Feb 2015, 4:49 am

doofy wrote:

2 years? Thats far too long for someone to have to wait. I guess that's what you get with the nhs.

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