Bunneth wrote:
I think the main reason I got a diagnosis is because I live in Cambridge, which is basically the centre for Autism/AS research in the UK. Even so, it took some persuading to get my GP to refer me to the specialist clinic. Once there though they were very helpful and knowledgeable and diagnosed me after 1 interview (it was about 4 hours long though and I had to have my parents and husband there to provide background info on me).
This was last year though and before that I've been to see various therapists, counsellors, psychologists, you name it, for help as since my early teens I've suffered on and off with bouts of severe depression. Each time I was just given some one-on-one therapy (which always involved them trying to pin the blame on my parents for some reason or another) in conjunction with some anti-depressants. Once the anti-depressants kicked in my mood naturally improved, so I was then told I was cured and sent on my way, even though I knew that there was some underlying problem that hadn't even been touched on. It wasn't until a couple of years ago when I read an article in a newspaper about AS that I suddenly realised they were describing me.
I'd say if you think there's strong chance you have AS, try to get a diagnosis because then at least you'll know either way and you won't be stuck in limbo like you are now. I had a check on the website of the clinic where I was diagnosed and unfortunately they only do people from Cambridgeshire, but they do say that if you live elsewhere in the UK and are having trouble getting a diagnosis, to contact the National Autistic Society as they may be able to let you know of similar clinics near to you. You could then ask your GP or psychologist either for a referral to there or that they can get in touch with them for more info and advice.
My own experience was very similar, I was originally diagnosed with depression and started seeing a therapist for it, the diagnosis of ASD went backwards in my family (my youngest brother was diagnosed with autism, the one above him was then disagnosed with AS as my parents went into a bit of "you know, he shows a lot of similar behaviour.....") after this I did some research and noticed a lot of similarities to my own behaviour, eventually I spoke to the therapist (a couple of years after I'd come to the conclusion I might have it,) and after some discussion he agreed to refer me to the Cambridge centre for diagnosis.
Unfortunatly (in my experience,) unless you do display some of the more severe symptoms it does seem to take the individual pushing for diagnosis for it to occur.
28 Nov 2010, 12:29 pm
