Private diagnosis in Belfast?

Hello everyone on the forum.

For the past 13 have thought that I am somewhere on the spectrum. Around this time my friend’s son was diagnosed and a lot of the behaviours he was describing rabg a bell with me.

I have completed dozens of online tests and they always say that I have autistic tendencies. I’ve never discussed tips with anyone because my parents are dismissive of any sort of developmental disorders. They are both old school in that they would tell me there’s nothing wrong with me and to get on with my life.

I went to see a Psychiatrist last year for low mood and anxiety and I was going to talk to him about anxiety. I was worried that he would dismiss the idea and maybe read into things too much and maybe think I was malingering, although I have managed to keep my job for the last 18 years.

I just wanted to get so some of that off my chest. I have no friends to talk to and don’t know where else to turn for advice.

Any recommendations of a private Psychologist or Psychiatrist who is qualified to assess for autism would be appreciated.

Nicky - Mod over 7 years ago

Hi NAS37289,

I am going to post quite a few different links in the hope that some of them might be useful.

You can use the NAS Autism Services Directory to look for someone who would do a private assessment and diagnosis in your area (or within traveling distance to Belfast) - you can find the Directory here: https://www.autism.org.uk/services/autism-services-directory.aspx

The Lorna Wing Centre also carry out privately funded assessments. Their details: https://www.autism.org.uk/services/diagnosis.aspx

In the meantime, you might find the following links useful:

NAS All About Diagnosis: http://www.autism.org.uk/about/diagnosis.aspx

You may like to have a look at the following page which includes personal accounts, which may help: http://www.autism.org.uk/about/adult-life/stories.aspx

It might also be useful to pass on information about autism to health professionals when seeking a diagnosis. The following page includes information for a range of health professionals: http://www.autism.org.uk/Working-with/Health.aspx

The NHS also has some pages about Autism Diagnosis for Adults: https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Autism/Pages/Diagnosisinadults.aspx

The Royal College of General Practitioners' autism page: http://www.rcgp.org.uk/ASD

And ASD Toolkit: http://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/asd-toolkit.aspx

If you have further questions, you may like to contact our Autism Helpline team. They can provide you with information and advice about getting a diagnosis. You can call them on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm). Please note that the Helpline is experiencing a high volume of calls and it may take a couple of attempts before you get through to speak to an advisor. NB/All freephone 0800 and 0808 numbers are now free to call from all phones, whether mobile or landline

Hope this helps,

Nicky-Mod