I'll start with a brief summary. In April last year I took the C4 / Baron-Cohen 'How Autistic Are You?' test that was part of research for the recent TV programme, scored very highly with equivalent scores to a friend already diagnosed with HFA. Requested referral from GP, screened by local NHS trust then 6 months later had 2 sessions, lasting a total of 3 hours. My wife was present at the first interview but was only questioned about my childhood (most of which she could not answer). Many of the questions seems aimed at children, or lower functioning individuals. I was told at the start of the 1st that their bar for diagnosis was set very high, and at the second they said that as I have held down a job, and have been married, for many years I didn't have an ASC (despite my history of many, many jobs and failed relationships). The results letter had many things that I disagreed with.
I left it a few months, but was triggered to write and question if their tools were appropriate for those high-functioning / low-maintenance individuals - they will discuss later. I've since found others who have had the same results from the clinic.
I then asked my GP for referral for a second opinion, and went to a Chartered Psychologist on Thursday. Most of her work is diagnosisng students at two universities in the West of England. After a 5 hour session (it was only scheduled to be 4 hours), I was told that I had a strong diagnosis of Asperger's, to the extend of having caused clinical problems, along with Dyspraxia and probably Dyslexia. My wife was present for the whole time and was often asked her opinions of me and if she'd noticed x & y. [Afterwards, she did comment that apart from having different childhood experiences to me, she would have answered all the questions the same as I if they'd been about her].
The NHS used an AQ10 to screen, then their own Austism Spectrum Condition diagnostic interview along with ADOS 4th Editions (ADOS-4). The private Psych used Baron-Cohens' Adult Asperger Assessment (AAA). She did say that she's been told that the AAA is being updated soon to fit in with DSM-V, but that an existing diagnosis would still be valid.
I know that there is a school of thought along the lines of "If you pay to go private, you WILL be given a diagnosis". In my case, I don't think this is true - the interview was very thorough, truthful (I was pleased my wife was there to vouch for my answers - if I'd been just giving the correct answers to get a diagnosis, she would have soon spoken up). and I could see she was following the worksheet correctly.
Although I do not yet have the written diagnosis, the Psych did discuss the diagnosis at length with me afterwards- I really had not foreseen dyspraxia & dyslexia, but on reflection they do fit me.
I just find it odd how two assessments could be so far apart. Your thoughts?
