Published on 12, July, 2020
After years of suspecting that I am autistic, I have just this morning been referred for assessment by my GP.
My son was diagnosed a few years back, and my GP agreed with me that I also exhibit many traits,. and said that he thinks a diagnosis would be helpful for me.
I live in the north of England, and have been referred to a centre in Sheffield for assessment. This would be on the NHS, but my GP explained that the waiting list could be really long for this. He also gave me information about a local service which do private assessments, where I could be seen much sooner.
Does anyone have any experience of using the NHS service based in Sheffield, and what are your experiences of it? How long is the waiting list likely to be, and what did you feel about the diagnostic process?
Also, what are people's experiences of private assessments versus NHS?
Any ideas or advice would be helpful.
I don’t live in Sheffield I’m afraid but here in Norwich its very long. My GP referred me in March (2017) I got an AQ 50, an EQ 50, and a relatives questionnaire through the post in May, I filled them in and returned them the next day. I then got a letter in July saying the the results of the questionnaires show that a full diagnostic assessment would be helpful, and I have gone on the waiting list. It then went on to say that I could be waiting up to 18months for an appointment! That takes it to the end of 2018, which means the total timescale is Round 2 years here. (The letter did also say though that if I was having financial or emplyment difficulties then to let them know and they’d try to bring it forward) Personally I think this is unnacceptable
Im in Ipswich, so im guessing i'll be waiting like you've said.