ADOS assessment (no spoilers)

I've just got back from my ADOS-2 assessment.

It might be overstating things to say it was a disaster, but that's how I feel at the moment.

My appointment was at 2.30pm - I checked the email last night and again this morning just to be sure. I can't drive due to an ankle injury so I had to be dropped off really early. I'd booked a hot desk in another part of the building to use for a few hours. 

At 2.17pm my mobile phone rang. It was the psychologist who said "we were expecting you at 2pm, whereabouts are you?". My heart felt like it stopped for a moment then I said that I was in the hot desking area, and had been there since 11am. I also said I had checked the email again this morning and my appointment time was definitely 2.30pm. 

I was really flustered because being punctual is so important to me. I tried to find the email on my phone to show the psychologist, but she just wanted to get on with the ADOS. I won't go into detail about what it involved but I felt very agitated throughout because of the way the meeting started. I got tangled up in knots by some of the questions and one task made me want to burst into tears. 

Everything felt rushed. I did not get a chance to ask about what happens next at the end. The psychologist said something about me seeing the other psychologist again and I just nodded, even though I don't have any appointments booked. I've no idea if the assessment is over or not. I feel like I've messed everything up and yet I went out of my way to get there on time. 

I've spent ages worrying about the ADOS and I've been awake since 4.30am this morning so I'm absolutely shattered.

I'm sitting here feeling stunned and confused. I forwarded the email confirming my 2.30pm appointment to the psychologist on my way home. She sent it to me herself a few weeks ago. Now I am worried that this might seem rude. 

I know people here will understand just how important these assessment meetings are and how upsetting it is if things don't go according to plan. Thanks for listening to my rant. I feel better now I have written it down! 

Parents
  • I agree with Bagpuss, Sunflower.   Maybe this was all part of the assessment - devious though it sounds.

    Before I had my formal diagnostic assessment, I had a home visit from someone from the local autism trust I now work for.  When he arrived, the first thing he said to me was 'Can I use your toilet?'  I had to agree - who wouldn't? - but he could tell it unsettled me.  Afterwards, as I discovered, it was all part of testing me.

    Try not to worry too much. Slight smile

Reply
  • I agree with Bagpuss, Sunflower.   Maybe this was all part of the assessment - devious though it sounds.

    Before I had my formal diagnostic assessment, I had a home visit from someone from the local autism trust I now work for.  When he arrived, the first thing he said to me was 'Can I use your toilet?'  I had to agree - who wouldn't? - but he could tell it unsettled me.  Afterwards, as I discovered, it was all part of testing me.

    Try not to worry too much. Slight smile

Children
  • A home visit? That would have sent my anxiety through the ceiling!

    Another thing I found difficult today was that these two psychologists were serious and formal. The psychologist I saw at my two previous appointments was more relaxed and friendly. Perhaps this is some kind of 'good cop, bad cop' routine. I need to switch my brain off and stop thinking about this....