Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello, I’m 21 and female! I’ve been to my doctors and they’ve referred me to a specialist to get assessed for autism. When people first meet me they say ‘there’s nothing wrong with me’ or ‘I look normal’. I’m very aware that I’m different and have been aware of this since I can remember! The reason I’ve only just gone to the doctors is because I have a very supportive boyfriend who has helped me lot and I was too scared to go before. I want to know the details of what happens from the very beginning of the assessment right up to the very end! I’m scared they will either misdiagnose me or say I’m not autistic! Which I understand might seem like a good thing to some people but when you’ve been struggling your whole life you feel like you just want the answers! And im certain and so are others that I’m autistic! Thank you for reading!
Hi KizzieBing
I've just started the route having been referred at the start of May - and I've just completed the initial screening questionnaires. The important ones relevant to Autism are (in my case located in West Yorkshire)...
I'd actually done these earlier in the year as they are readily available for download.
From this point there will be an initial screening appointment followed by (usually) 3 more for assessment. The assessment will be carried out by a wide team and could include any of the following (usually one at a time)....
Following a positive diagnosis there could be 2 more appointments to discuss support and impact/implications
The assessment will be carried out according to the NICE Clinical Guidelines - see sections 1.2.3 and 1.2.8 which cover the main assessment methodologies.
It looks like I'm going along the first route listed in 1.2.8 but there are 5 others (such as ADOS, RAADS, etc.) and, hopefully, members can contribute to describe their experience to give you a better idea.
Thank you!
That was very helpful and very detailed I will take a look at everything, hopefully it will calm my anxiety about everything!