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GP visit requesting referral

Redstar

Hi,

This week visited my GP to request a referral for formal diagnosis of my strongly self-suspected ASD.

I consider myself to be very high functioning, but this has come from self-learned behavioral changes and learning from others by observation. I have felt I could be autistic for a couple of years now, having always felt different in many ways. I think I would have been happy to remain self-diagnosed, but I see possible advantages in a formal diagnosis as it will be more likely to be accepted by my family.

The GP did not seem highly interested, although the GP asked a question or two about symptoms and asked if I'd taken any 'tests'. I verbally gave a couple of symptoms and the difficulties I have, then handed over a list of 20 or so symptoms and examples I prepared. They quickly looked through and said "leave it with me and I'll see what I can do about a referral".

I'm not quite sure what to expect now. I don't feel the GP has a specialism or over familiarisation with autism, which is fair enough. I am not really anxious about what comes next, rather curious. I've read up about what can happen on this website and elsewhere. I am in my 30s, so I think the GP may also have been even more unfamiliar with ASD in adults.

I feel a formal diagnosis is all that I am seeking really. I am hoping it will provide some relief in final confirmation of what I have felt for some time, and also maybe it will provide some explanations to my family over how I was quite a difficult child in many ways! ASD is not understood in my family, and we have family members who I certainly feel have it, but this is generally met by skepticism when I suggest it.

One thing I did do before visiting the GP was get some of my old school reports from age 5-6 and I was slightly surprised how suggesting it was that there could be an interaction issue - and that an ASD diagnosis didn't come about during my earlier years. School was not easy for me, but compared to what many people have gone through I feel I have not had it too bad.

That's my little story anyway, wishing you all the best!

Parents

  • Your story is similar to mine :-) I have already got a referral from GP (after a second try - so around after one year!) and ... an assessment, YES! It was on Monday 25.02.2019. The interviewer was an Occupational Therapist... I hope she is better with other people, it didn't went well with me. It left me angry, confused, desperate, and depressed (or something like this) and yes, I will NOT give up. I intend to make an official complaint etc.  

    I hope you will have more luck and will have an assessment with a competent person.

  • in reply to Rhia

    Sorry to hear about your struggles and your experience. I've heavily studied ASD this past couple of years, and I would not appreciate a hugely-clashing diagnosis from a 'generalised' professional. We probably have a greater understanding of ASD than them! It seems crazy how varying it can be who you see or are referred to, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists or multi-disciplined teams.

    Always think about what is best for yourself - maybe just go straight to a second opinion and try and circumnavigate around complaining at this stage? Whatever you decide, good luck with your quest!

  • in reply to Redstar

    Thanks Yes, of course second opinion is needed :-) and I'll do everything to get it. In general it is not important to me if anybody accepts me as ASD, I know myself best and know what I am (after years of blind searching :-) ), so a diagnosis or not - I am what I am :-)

    But being assessed by somebody without the right qualification makes not much sense. We need more professionals with awareness and understanding of ASD. 

    There is no question that there is the need for autism awareness training for healthcare professionals and the need to develop some tools to accurately diagnose and effectively treat mental health conditions in autistic patients. This is existing problem and not only in NHS. Also in Germany and the US have similar problems.

Reply
  • in reply to Redstar

    Thanks Yes, of course second opinion is needed :-) and I'll do everything to get it. In general it is not important to me if anybody accepts me as ASD, I know myself best and know what I am (after years of blind searching :-) ), so a diagnosis or not - I am what I am :-)

    But being assessed by somebody without the right qualification makes not much sense. We need more professionals with awareness and understanding of ASD. 

    There is no question that there is the need for autism awareness training for healthcare professionals and the need to develop some tools to accurately diagnose and effectively treat mental health conditions in autistic patients. This is existing problem and not only in NHS. Also in Germany and the US have similar problems.

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