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The diagnosis process

Ian Hirst

For the past year or so, I have been on an interesting journey. To start with, I was unsure why I was so different to everyone else I knew, wasn't sure whhy I struggle with making and maintaining friendships, progressing at work and wondering why I think different to everyone else I know (mainly the way I process things). Considering I work in the education sector, I started noticing students who had a diagnosis, displaying traits that I am too familiar with myself. I went on a couple of training sessions and had some professionals ask me  outright whether i was on the spectrum or not... My response was "probably". I sought out some assistance from my GP who referred me to the Suffolk welbeing team, who rang me to discuss why I thought I might be on the autistic spectrum. After being referred for an initial meeting (which took a couple of hours truth be told), I received a letter stating, once at the top of the list, I will be asked to have a sesion with a clinical psychologist. That letter arrived throgh my door two days ago, for an appointment in a couple of weeks time. I am absolutely bricking it, and my anxiety is through the roof. Can anyone tell me what to expect, so I can process what might happen during this session that is going to last all day. Please?

Parents

  • Do not worry about the assessment, I have had three sessions of which one was a nurse for two hours (nearer three in the end) and two with a Mental Health Doctor/Specialist.  Because I have no close family then they cannot be asked but it was quite informal recounting history, etc.  This gave me a status where I was diagnosed as High Probability of Autism. That is enough for some recognition by employers/etc.

    I am awaiting for Adult Test on the NHS which is a long waiting game but if you have fixations with things (you research it as you are on here) then you hare probably on the spectrum.   The NHS test, as I understand, is a series/batch of meetings/test to get a full diagnosis.

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  • Do not worry about the assessment, I have had three sessions of which one was a nurse for two hours (nearer three in the end) and two with a Mental Health Doctor/Specialist.  Because I have no close family then they cannot be asked but it was quite informal recounting history, etc.  This gave me a status where I was diagnosed as High Probability of Autism. That is enough for some recognition by employers/etc.

    I am awaiting for Adult Test on the NHS which is a long waiting game but if you have fixations with things (you research it as you are on here) then you hare probably on the spectrum.   The NHS test, as I understand, is a series/batch of meetings/test to get a full diagnosis.

Children
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