Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi, I am 23 and I have asked my GP for a assessment for autism or additional needs assessment, the GP gave me a number for a website called we can talk.org I telephoned them and they said they dont know why the GP referred me to them as they cannot help, they suggested I contact the local authority which I did online but the services are for children up to 18 years old. I am unemplyed as I struggle to hold a job as I have no self esteem, Im on medication for depression and my doctor just says Im lazy but I cannot change doctors as there isnt another one. I self harm and attempted suicide in the passed however my good friend who has become my voluntry carer for me and a trained mental health first aider, talked me out of it. I cannot talk on the telephone, I dont open mail, I struggle to hear more than one instruction at a time, I have no money as I cant claim ESA as they said I havent been assessed even though my friend came with me and spoke on my behalf, I cannot understand job seekers and to be honest feel like giving up! please can someone show me a way of been assessed as an adult, when I was born I died due to lack of oxygen but was revived and my parents were told I would have problems in adulthood, Im confused,sorry to ask so much but I need to know whats wrong with me.
Thanks for that info about seeing your GP. I've yet to have a formal diagnosis, have just done all the 'Aspie tests' and they show without any doubt that I'm on the spectrum. I was worried about going to my GP because she knows me as a very capable person (although on constant meds for depresssion) and might pooh-pooh the idea, but I'll take the test results in as you did and hopefully she'll agree to refer me for a diagnosis.
Vicky-Sue
Hi NAS35812,
Usually the way to get diagnosed is through your GP, but since you've tried that and they don't seem to be helping, there are some other options you could try (aside from those caretwo and Handi-andis mentioned). The Autism Services Directory has a section for assessment and diagnostic services that you can find here - http://www.autism.org.uk/directory/browse/cid=80~aid=1.aspx - if there is something available close to you, you could try going to them.
You can also contact the NAS directly - you mention that you don't like to use the phone, so I assume you would rather not call the helpline, but you can use the form here to make an enquiry online - https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/main/form.aspx
If you are feeling suicidal, please use the resources on the NHS website to contact somebody. You can find various different options here - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/suicide/getting-help/ - some of which, like Samaritans, you can contact by email rather than phone.
Best wishes,
Ross - mod
Hi
Firstly I am sorry to hear about your issues and struggles, most people on here, myself included, will have gone through at least part of what you are feeling so we can empathise. Life on and off the spectrum can be a struggle but it is worth it, so please stay with it.
My approach to getting assessed was to undertake things like the Autism Quotient test, Empathy Quotient test etc in order to build up a picture, then I presented the results to my GP and asked for an assessment with a view to a diagnosis. That way one can quietly find out things about oneself and then it’s much harder for a doctor to argue against requesting a an assessment if the hard data points that way. Such tests can be accessed at: https://psychology-tools.com
Andy
With regards to mental health, Mental Health Matters' web chat is available in Kent and Medway, Coventry and Warwickshire, and Plymouth (http://www.mentalhealthmatters.com/our-services/helpline-services/time-online/). The Samaritans accept e-mails (https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us). A search for mental health online chat facilities will also return a number of results but I have never used such facilities.
Regarding an autism assessment, have a look at these web pages:
I obtained my diagnosis via a local autistic trust. Do you have a similar organisation you can contact?