Very Confused About How to Get a Diagnosis?

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So I brought up my issues that have lead me to believe I'm autistic to my doctor a year ago. Before sending me for an actual diagnosis, my doctor checked me for other more likely conditions that would explain my symptoms (I was in the middle of a burnout, so my sensory issues and such were much more severe at the time.) That took about a year, and during my last check up (a couple of months ago) I asked again to be sent for a diagnosis, and she agreed it would be something good to pursue. BUT she also told me that she couldn't refer me for testing, and that a psychologist had to do that. Not only that, but that she couldn't refer to me a psychologist, I had to set up appointments with one myself.

So I tried that, and at the moment I'm waiting for my insurance to approve of me seeing this doctor. I've already been waiting two months for them to approve this.

I am confused about all of this. I thought there were specific centers for diagnosing autism? So am I just going to get referred again when I see this psychologist or am I gonna be able to get a diagnosis with them? I'm very frustrated, my doctor usually walks me in circles before actually helping me, and i need to get my diagnosis ASAP for accommodations in college. I don't want to be walked in a circle this time.

There are very few autism centers in the USA. Usually you see a doctor specializing in autism. And females should seek out someone who is familiar with how autism presents in females, as there are significant gender differences associated with autism.

And if it's not USA, do tell us what country you live in since different countries most likely have different ways of handling these things.

Do you still go to a pediatric doctor? They should easily be able to refer you to a specialist or neuropsychologist for an assessment. If you're going to an office that doesn't deal with kids, you're going to have a harder time finding doctors who have connections to centers for that kind of diagnosis. I got my referral (not for autism specifically but for various possibilities including ASD) from a pediatric doctor and was diagnosed by a psychologist one story up in the same building. When I had more thorough testing, it was also done in an office specializing in kids and young adults. As I understand it, it's always way easier if you start in pediatrics.

It's also typical to wait a long time to get into an assessment. How long depends on where you're referred to. I waited a little under a year after my initial referral. I even had to postpone college because of how long it took to get the referral itself. It was definitely worth the wait, though. I wouldn't have lasted a day in college without the services and treatments I have access to now.

Also, if you're seeing a psychologist in a therapeutic setting and not going for autism testing, you're risking having issues overlooked. While the psychologist has a PhD that enables him to make valid diagnoses, most do not have experience with autism testing and all its subtleties (I was really lucky in that regard). It might be worth it to instead pursue a direct referral to a thorough autism assessment rather than seeing a psychologist and hoping for the best, especially if you're pressed for time.

I do live in the united states, and I am still in pediatrics.

So what exactly should I be doing instead of seeing a psychologist? I don't have the means to go very far to find a doctor that's experienced with females and autism, and I have parents who don't believe I have autism in the first place. they think I'm just stressed. (Which I am, but it's not causing my issues, only making them worse.)

From what I've seen, stress is in fact one of the biggest issues with autism.

Whether you get a diagnosis or not shouldn't stop you from discovering and working to eliminate sources of stress.

This forum can be useful for identifying such sources. You may read a discussion on things like ear protectors and high fidelity earplugs and realize that you could use something like that when you go to loud action movies. Or maybe not. The really frustrating thing about autism is that you can't predict these things. Some people are really good at math and writing. While some are bad at both. Or just one. Or any combination of anything.

So, short of a complete evaluation that tests all you strengths and weaknesses, nobody really knows. And, that can change with time.

It may help to contact whoever is paying for the insurance to see if they can assist. In my case it would be the human resources manager where I work.

I will be going to college soon, so would I be able to ask their resources department for help?

I'm in a vaguely similar situation to you - my dad and I have been trying to get me an evaluation since august and the whole ordeal has been very confusing. If possible maybe you can ask a school counselor if they can do the evaluation, or maybe look up some autism professionals/clinics in your area.

Google "autism society" and the name of your state. See if anything comes up. I'm not certain of every state in the U.S. has an autism society, but I know that the state I live in does. Also the autism society in my state has PhD psychologists that specialize in assessing and diagnosing not only children, but also adults both male and female.

If your state has such a society, doubtful you'd be able to get "immediate" or rapid scheduling. You may have to schedule an appointment several months in advance.

The closest place to me is over an hour away....