Published on 12, July, 2020
I'm on the waiting list for Bristol Autism Spectrum Service (NHS) but have no idea how long it will be (I have emailed them to ask but not had anything back), I've only been on the waiting list for about 6 weeks (not including 3 weeks it took just to process the referral) which I know is a pitifully short amount of time, but it's already driving me crazy, especially not having any idea how long I could be waiting-all the letter I got when the referral went through said was that it varies from month to month. As an aside, if anyone has any experience with BASS recently and could tell me how long they waited, that would be helpful.
In the meantime I'm all over the place, especially at uni. Have had both uni disability services and my supervisor ask if I have considered going private though, so am starting to think about it. I need some sort of support, and can't get any without a diagnosis; disability services' best advice was getting a note for anxiety or similar from my GP as that would be as good in terms of support provision-but I don't want to do that, because I don't want it to turn into 'just anxiety'-or I can look at testing for ADD through uni, which is more of an option, though as with any anxiety I have, any ADD symptoms are in my opinion better explained under the umbrella of ASD.
Does anyone have any recommendations for finding someone that does private diagnoses in the area? Had a google and can't find much (have already emailed the one person I did find).
I have heard that some service do not accept private diagnosis, like the councils social services.
Is that true?
California said:
I think this is one of those 'urban myths' that seems to gather some credence by being repeated.
From my experience (I had a private diagnosis due to the time it would take even if I could have got a diagnosis under the NHS - my doctor said my area did not provide a service for 'more mature adults' and said the waiting list would be about three years anyway) there is no problem in getting a private diagnosis accepted. After all, most psychologists/psychiatrists who provide private services also provide the same service to the NHS.
Just ensure that you get the report from the private diagnosis, which should explain the criteria and the reasons for the diagnosis, how you fit into the criteria, etc. Remember these are professional people and any organisation not accepting it is doubting the credentials. The psychologist who diagnosed me also helpfully provided a shorter summary which I could show without showing the full report. The chances are this will be enough, but you could also provide the contact number if it is not on the report in order they could confirm. The report with near certainty will, however, also have the qualifications and a bit of background of the diagnoser which would remove all doubt about its validity
By the way, the NAS have a list of professionals who diagnose autism privately.
Hey Trainspotter, sorry for intruding on a thread I’m not going to respond to. But was it your idea for us to write a short story about what autism means to us?
I’m asking because a few nights ago, I spontaneously wrote what autism means to me and it turns out it’s about 300 words long. It doesn’t follow the offered structure but you said it didn’t have to, that some people would simply free write it. Well I did, and I’m just wondering if anybody has written theirs?
Thanks DC, you did the job for me.... And as you say, perhaps starting another thread on this or revitalising the above link is the way forward with this. (This is not to be telling anyone off, but prevent this particular thread being hijacked. And thanks to Blu Ray for reminding me of this, my life is full of unfulfilled dreams but that is another story, another thread!)
Yes, I did say that before Christmas. Mine needs a bit more work (I said I'd have it done by Christmas, but it seems as though the Christmas will be this Christmas!)
I did suggest around 10,000 words (I am one of those who rambles on a bit...) But it can be flexible. I did start off a bit of a blog before Christmas but as with me, I forgot where I put it after starting it off.. if someone can find it for me I would be grateful but me getting the password may be a challenge!.B
But I will get my story finished after the summer (sweating cobs at the moment, whatever a 'cob' may be!)
And profuse apologies to NAS37638 for being off topic here - perhaps should resurrect the original thread if I can find it.
To BlueRay... Coolish night, and so I am here again. Perhaps you are thinking of this Thread:
https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/10957/getting-the-message-out-autism-in-our-own-words/
...If not, then please specify a bit more. Or, maybe best start another Thread...?