Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello,
I am a 22 year old female trying to figure out how to get tested for ASD (Aspergers), my family and I strongly believe I have it, even from a young age. I am struggling so much with it and a diagnosis should hopefully get me the help I desperately need. I went to my GP yesterday to ask for help, but I got the door slammed in my face essentially, the GP said there is nobody in Lincolnshire UK that will diagnose ASD for adults, only children, he said there is nothing he can do, he did not want to give me the time of day.
Since then I've been driving myself crazy, researching around online to look for anyone, anywhere that can offer advice about this situation, which is why I decided to come here, to people that really understand what I'm going through and will be able to give me the best advice.
If you have any ideas, please do let me know, I'm so stressed and upset over this whole situation.
Thank you.
Hi NAS36220,
Sorry to hear you're having problems with your GP. caretwo has posted a lot of the usual advice that we would give in this situation, the only thing I would add is to have a look in this thread from a couple of years ago, also from someone in Lincolnshire having trouble getting an assessment. http://community.autism.org.uk/f/health-and-wellbeing/2550/adult-diagnosis-with-mental-health-problems-lincolnshire
The poster in this thread mentions they were able to get a diagnosis eventually 'through the Complex Case Team at SW Lincs Clinical Commissioning Group' and that they were helped by Autism.Partnership@lincolnshire.gov.uk (I'm not sure if that's different to the services you already mentioned or not). It might be worth sending an email to that address to see if they can help.
Aside from that I would recommend contacting the NAS helpline directly on 0808 800 4104, and seeing what they suggest.
Best wishes,
Ross - mod
Hi caretwo, I have contacted LAS in my area and they have replied just a moment ago, their reply was very brief but I'm hoping they will reply again to me and give a bit more information on what exactly I need to do in this situation. :)
My GP was unaware of how to refer me for a diagnosis and I suspect a lot of GPs are in the same situation. Fortunately for me, my local autistic trust wrote to my GP with the necessary details.
According to the NHS 'Live Well' web page (https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Autism/Pages/Diagnosisinadults.aspx), 'the Autism Act 2009 put a duty on the NHS to make sure there's somewhere to refer adults for an assessment'.
Have you tried contacting the Lincolnshire Autistic Society (http://www.lincolnshireautisticsociety.org.uk/) for advice?
I believe this link relates just to support groups but it is worth a look: http://www.autismlinks.co.uk/support-groups
Also try NAS' Autism Services Directory: http://www.autism.org.uk/directory.aspx
If you have a local NAS branch (http://www.autism.org.uk/services/local.aspx), try contacting them for help/advice. If not, try contacting NAS (http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/about-us/contact-us.aspx).
Hopefully, one of the links I have provided will help you find out how to get an adult diagnosis.