Long waiting list for AS assessment

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I'm going to get an assessment for Asperger's Syndrome because it would really explain my problems, even though I think I'm quite mildly AS (although I got 123 Aspie 67 NT - very likely an Aspie on the Aspie Quiz).
I got my parents to fill out a form from my local autism association, and now I'm on their waiting list. The thing is, it is a TEN MONTH waiting list! TEN MONTHS!! !! The alternative is to pay a psychiatrist $1500 dollars with a really short waiting list.
For everyone who is diagnosed or in the process of getting a diagnosis, was there a long waiting list for you?

Well, if I were running a low cost insurance program for all, I would TRIAGE things! To a degree, EVERYTHING works like that ANYWAY! That IS why there is a special word just for IT.

Anyway, if it weren't affecting your work or school, I would have people, that REALLY have problems, go ahead of you. ALSO, the more people that take advantage, the more likely that it would take you a long time.

People would have to dedicate time to a private practice, or may not take it for whatever reason, and your paying a premium may get you PAST the government triage. Of course there IS still the OFFICE triage. Of course, tthe WORST affected will be in the government program, and there will be fewer.

Oh well, this is one reason why I don't think the US should do this. The US would have to be BETTER than australia to handle it even as well, and I would trust the australian government before I would trust the US government.

The US is even trying to OUTLAW private insurance. Those that dont believe that should read the house bill. It is very close to the beginning of the bill.

At least you have a "free" option.

I'd gladly wait 10 months for that. I can't find a AS-qualified doctor to get a DX from, and the closest one listed didn't bother to reply (I told her I had no insurance but would pay cash...I needed to know if I could do a lockbox account to pay for it or just how much a DX process cost).

The one I had was a four month waiting list and it costs over $500.

If you are only going for an assessment to explain your problems (rather than for specific help with problems related to AS), why is waiting ten months an issue?

10 months?

Not worth it, in my opinion.

The cost and time needed is why I won't be getting an official assessment myself.

Two years! Free, from a psychiatrist at the local loony bin. And worth it. Go for it. ... erm, wait for it. btw there's nothing to stop you from shopping around for a better deal while you wait.

I don't know if you might want what I got - there's a cover page which gives my Dx and is signed by the doc - and then there's supporting stuff. The thing is, all I ever have to produce is that cover page, so I don't get rediagnosed by every professional I meet (including my dentist!).

It takes ages to see a specialist in the UK but it is free so you just gotta stick it out.
I mean, it's not as if you haven't been like this your whole life.

My son's been on a waiting list since February. We just recently received his scheduled appointment and it is for May 2010 - 15 month wait. This is in the US with private insurance. For us it doesn't really matter because the school district has done their own evaluation and have qualified him for AS related services. There's no harm getting on the list. You can always change your mind later.

I know what you mean. I got put on a waiting list but it was only 2 months for the first appointment and than another month for the second, I believe. It was very costly however so we ended up canceling that one.

10 week waiting list for me, and that was after a couple of months trying to find someone who could assess adults, phone calls, a referral, and a referral review. so in all, over 4 months. my insurance will cover most of it.

will the wait be worth it? I think so.

why? protection under the ADA - maybe even in court against my ex so he can't bully me. that will be a fabulous reason in and of itself to get an official assessment. beyond that, voc rehab and being able to tailor my emotional therapy and career choices in ways that will actually work for me instead of drag me down further.

I only had to wait a few weeks if that. But that's because the child development centre had only just started doing ASD diagnosis and I was one of the first they assesed, that was in 2004. I never thought there would be a long waiting list for AS to be honest. Anyway I don't think 10 months is worth it to be honest.

i only had to wait two weeks and it wasn't because of a waiting list; i was just waiting for the study to begin. i was evaluated as part of a brain imaging study (they were looking for people who were diagnosed or thought they might have an ASD.)

so not only did i not have to wait, the evaluation was free. those who were already diagnosed were paid for doing the study and those who weren't sure got the evaluation instead of a check.

in NYC there are a few places where you can be evaluated for free (w/o being part of a study) but from what i hear they have lengthy waiting periods. studies are faster, if you can find one for what you think you might have. luckily there are loads of them here. my brother-in-law wants to get into an ADD study so he wont have to pay a psychiatrist.