Published on 12, July, 2020
My sister lives at home with my Dad, she has never been officially diagnosed due to a reluctance on my parents' side to diagnose her when she was a child. She has many issues including anorexia which she was hospitalised for shortly after our Mother died over 10 years ago. As a result, she will not engage in any therapy, suggestions of help etc. She is bright, full of ideas and could do so much but she is angry, aggressive, compulsive and frustrated. I'm trying to work out how to get her diagnosed, into a 3 month residential programme and possibly a new way of living. I suppose what I'm asking is, is how would you suggest approaching the subject with her? Any advice, opinions or suggestions are welcome. Thank you.
You will need to get her interested in the idea and seeing some benefit for herself and the family and wanting to go into this. Also to know the details of what is available in your area/ country.
A 3 month residential programme will need to exist (I don't think it does easily in UK), so you will need to research that out and availability/ cost.
Self testing online may be a starting point if she is willing
Hi Dave, thank you so much for your advice and reply. Luckily, there is a residential programme near us who would be willing to take her but we need a diagnosis and referral. Self diagnosis is something I hadn't thought of as a starting point and I think it would appeal to her, is there any particular test you'd recommend?
AQ50 https://psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient
or a short version
AQ10 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142/resources/autism-spectrum-quotient-aq10-test-pdf-186582493
Thanks Dave.