How do I go about getting diagnosed in the UK?

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I've got to the point where I just need to know whether I have AS. Well I know I have it, but ive never discussed it with anyone else, so Im kinda on my own here.... I could be totally wrong.

I fear I could just have some extreme social phobia rather than AS. I would like to know so maybe I can do something about my inability and nervousness in conversation rather than just accept what I have.

I notice most people here are from the US where I get the impression that AS is more commonly known.

Do I see my GP? I would rather not, he has been rather useless over the years. I would rather go straight to a specialist. Do I need to pay to get diagnosed in UK? If so how much am I lookign at?

it is possible to see a private specialist without going to the gp,but the specialist will want to speak to them,and give them the results.

as in london,it is more likely that will find it easier than other places in england to be assessed in,even though do not like gp,they cannot refuse referal if there are problems that need seeing to.

*write down history from child hood and difficulties,traits and differences from the typical.
*bring it to the gp
*they will then refer on to a pyschiatrist or pyschologist,but it will take months to get an appointment usually.

am do not understand money well,but am was told private assessment costs a lot.
it is the best way to do it if able to as they have the most specialists and get appointments quicker-the national autistic society can give details on being assessed that way and who to go to.

Hiya,
I can understand why you want to get a diagnosis. And it can be a daunting process. But not impossible. I'm in the UK too, and have been diagnosed as AS in the past year. To cut the proverbially long story short, I saw a GP first who sent me off to a psychiatrist. Then I saw the psychiatrist 5 times before he gave the formal diagnosis of AS.

The whole process actually took over a year as it took 3 GP visits ("but everyone feels awkward socially" he said) and the psychiatrist regularly lost my notes and forgot to turn up for appointments. So it is possible to get diagnosed through the NHS, at no cost, but you may have to really work at it. I don't know whether it's an AS thing, but I invariably get easily dismissed by the health service. At points I just wanted to give up and had to make a real effort to get on the phone *again* and try *one more time* to try and get fair treatment.

If you're GP is not good - and knowledge of AS is pretty much down to the individual you're dealing with, you have a right to try another. I was lucky that I eventually saw a locum GP who had at least a little knowledge of AS and at last took me seriously. But you may have to go through being dismissed (which is horrible) and plucking up courage to try again.

I really believe it's good for you to try and get a diagnosis as I believe the more self-knowledge you have, the better. Even if you don't have AS, you'll be in a better position. Good luck with whatever you try!

Thanks to both of you for your replies. It seems like quite a journey to get diagnosed. I guess I migth as well see my GP since he is just down the road. It will be funny though he has been my GP since a young boy, it would be strange talking to him about it.

The National Autistic Society http://www.nas.org.uk can give you a list of places to go which can be costly but if your doctor is open to it, you could go there first.

The NAS person I dealt with was very helpful and gave me lots of information.

I got diagnosed about 3 years ago. What happned was around Christmas 2003 I went to my GP told him if its possible to get diagnosed he then refered me to a phychiatrist I went a few times in 2004 to the phychiatrist and then a specialist turned after about 5 appointments. The specialist gives you the actual diagnosis which is a bit like The Krypton Factor but without the assult course and without the simulator but all the others rounds he tested my logic he did a IQ test he also did a puzzle as well which I had to complete then he asked me some questions but be warned the Logic test you will be given questions which are very odd for example 'What is the difference between a boat and a door'

Then after that you come back a week or so later and he will give you the result and then after that you go back to the phychiatrist and then after that it is you choice on what to do next either be discharged from the phychiatrist or carry on seeing him/her.

Hope that helps