Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all,
I've recently joined the community and I'm seeking some advice, I'm 26 years old and have always been fairly certain (along with my family and my GP) that I'm autistic. I finally decided to seek a diagnosis as I want to try to find out why I am the way I am and hopefully come to some form of acceptance and find some coping mechanisms. After a year long battle, I finally have my autism assessment at the beginning of January and I'm really nervous.
My mum is coming with me in order to tell the assessor what I was like as a child and any other bits I'll probably be too nervous to remember at the time!
I just wanted to know, has anyone else had a diagnosis as an adult? What is the initial appointment like? Will I have to go back a few times? And just generally what to expect.
Anything you can tell me would definitely help to calm my nerves so thank you in advance!
It's difficult to tell you what to expect as from what I've gathered from this forum, everybody's experience has been different. I had one appointment for my assessment. It was mainly the assessor asking me questions, some discussion of my answers and he looked through the questionnaire myself and my family had filled in prior to the assessment.
I have recently been diagnosed at 29. I found the process quite easy and reassuring but I think I went through a very simple process.
Other people have had a far more in-depth assessment with multiple appointments and other diagnostic techniques like ADOS - couldn't tell you exactly what this is (I think the idea is that you don't know) which involves doing some activities.