Self diagnosed people here don't have aspergers

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I don't remember for sure, but it seemed like he said it should be over $1000

ouch!

Plus, how would they know if the person was really diagnosed? They could just claim to be officially diagnosed.

Don't bother, some GPs here are so ignorant that many struggle enormously getting a referral to any specialist, even a private (paid-for) one. The Cambridge Autism Research Centre is doing free diagnoses for now (they just got funding) but that won't last forever. They also require a parent to accompany you (or a much older sibling, close aunt/uncle/gran) which makes it hard for people over a certain age or whose parents either live abroad and/or do not speak the language.

I am lucky with my GP now as he will gladly refer me wherever I ask for (the neurologist who referred me for an ASD diagnosis died last year so I needed a referral to another adult specialist), but financially it's tough - our health district is extremely reluctant to refer out of district (because of costs) and in our district the main local consultant shrink doesn't even "believe" in AS/HFA and ADHD in adults.

Doesn't "believe" in it? Does he know about bacteria yet? That makes me so mad. Talk about incompetent.

lol, I wish I could get a good GP-mine won't even take the time to do a UA if I say I think I have a kidney infection-he just throws meds at me and sends me on my way... I'd hate to bring this one to his attention!

I don't know how long it will last, but I have to do this application process thing, which will take 3 months to go through apparantly before I can get my son assessed. It's through a Center for Autism here in Missouri, and they "claim" that if he is approved, they will help with any special classes he needs, any parenting classes that may help me (which rocks if it's true 'cuz I'm pretty darn sure I'm AS too-causes much conflict between us, lol), etc. But even though they are sending me information and an application, I'm worried about the idea of having to get "approved" lol, and whether or not it will cover a small chunk or a big one of things, because I do want to be able to get myself straightened out and get him off to a good start with things so that he isn't as frustrated with things all the time as I am when he gets older (if that's possible-if not, at least just options of things to look into for us). We are both very hectic and very misunderstood, and it sucks hearing someone say they will help with stuff if it is found to be so, but having to wonder what will they actually do? Right now, with the figures they gave me to begin with before offering this application, asking that much for both of us to be assessed is essentially asking me to hand over my rent money and bill money.

My income qualified me for the cheapest rate, which was $200 for the whole thing (NLD diagnosis, not AS, don't know how that would affect it). Otherwise, it would have been $500.

lol, sadly, in my area, they are basing mine literally off of $0 income because they know about my situation not wanting to ask my bf's family for more help-especially asking for that much. oh, and this is for an overall assessment-they won't do specific in my area for some reason, it will cover everything, so it's not horrible, but when you don't have a way to pay it, it's absolutely insane, lol.

I guess my GP worded it slightly differently but yes that's the gist. "Never heard of", something like that. In spite of the fact that the NHS direct has a wonderful little page on ADHD in adults, and that AUTISM doesn't "go away" when you turn 18 isn't exactly new knowledge either *sigh*

I'm glad I never had to deal with him in person mind you...

The doctor got it wrong. I got it right. I self-educated myself on the subject matter, and I exercised several corrective and coping strategies. I am almost normal now, thanks to the fact that I recognized the symptoms of a disorder I actually had. You shut up.

NT Alert.

((Okay, so I'm paranoid))

Last edited by Griff on 01 May 2007, 3:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Roll Back Driver

Last edited by Kosmonaut on 01 May 2007, 3:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

It's difficult to believe someone has Aspergers when they only exhibit the mental symptoms, such as trouble emotionally connecting or reading people, prone to anger, lack of eye contact, possibly obsessions.. because these sort of behaviors can be influenced by experiences growing up or confidence issues. .. Then they self diagnose themselves with Aspergers to make up for the reason why they're an epic failure (no offense to anyone here). However, when someone has suffered from the many other symptoms evident at a young age, like difficulty sleeping, sensory overload, preferance to soft clothing and plain colors, possible chronic headaches, OCD-like behavior, etc.. then it becomes more believable that *something* is wrong. Not necessarily aspergers, but something nevertheless.

Good point - saying someone doesn't necessarily have AS doesn't mean their experiences are invalid or "down to being weird"... they are still genuine experiences.

Certainly sounds like it!