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Advice on getting a late diagnosis?

MB91

Hi all,

I was wondering if anybody has any advice on getting a late diagnosis? 

I was told by the family doctor at age 12 that I was most likely autistic and it was suggested my mother take me to have another assement, unfortunately I was already at this stage quite perturbed by doctors and other professionals in general and outright refused as I had seen many throughout the years and had decided myself to just act "normal" and attempt to mask my behaviours. 

I have only been to see a doctor a handful of times since then and have never mentioned anything to do with my mental health or the difficulties I face day to day.

I am now 27 years old and feel as though I may benefit from having my condition diagnosed but over the years have developed an almost fear-like response where doctors are concerned. 

My question is, how do I raise this subject with my doctor? or can I arrange to see a psychologist myself?

Note: I cant afford to go private as I don't currently work

Sorry for the long winded post & Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Parents

  • Hi MB91 ~ and welcome!

    Regarding:

    MB91 said:
    I was wondering if anybody has any advice on getting a late diagnosis? 

    If you telephone (at any time) the NAS (National Autistic Society) helpline: 0808 800 4104, and listen to the instruction about getting an information pack which involves pressing number one on your keypad, then asking for adult diagnosis information pack, and leaving your name and or your address. It can take about a week or two to arrive, depending on demand, but it will help you work out what's what with getting diagnosed.  

    Or from one of the site moderators there is this usual advice also which might prove helpful perhaps:

    Unknown said:

    Hi NAS35320,

    You may like to contact our Autism Helpline team who can provide you with information and advice in regards to getting a diagnosis.

    You can call them on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm).Please note that the Helpline is experiencing a high volume of calls and it may take a couple of attempts before you get through to speak to an advisor.

    Alternatively, you may find the following link from our diagnosis page useful:http://www.autism.org.uk/about/diagnosis.aspx 

    Ayshe Mod

    Basically when I got my information pack, it had a document in it called 'The sensory world of autism' ~ which I photocopied and I ticked all my hypo and hyper sensitivities and crossed those that did not apply.

    Then there was another document called 'WIRED Take The AQ Test' (mentioned and linked above by Bagpuss7) which I did with a friend who is a psychologist as the questions are a bit more suited for Neurologically Typical people (NTs) rather than Neurologically Divergent people (NDs) like ourselves ~ so if you get vexed or bewildered by the questions they have been mentioned on various threads here and elsewhere, we can help also if need be perhaps.

    Then there was another document called 'Diagnosis: the process for adults' which I copied like the others, putting it at the back with an explanatory letter on the front and stapled them altogether and sent it recorded delivery to my GP.

    My GP phoned me that week ~ as I am bit medical center and health worker phobic myself, and he very much agreed with me and the information, and I got referred and diagnosed eventually.

    If any of that helps possibly?

Reply

  • Hi MB91 ~ and welcome!

    Regarding:

    MB91 said:
    I was wondering if anybody has any advice on getting a late diagnosis? 

    If you telephone (at any time) the NAS (National Autistic Society) helpline: 0808 800 4104, and listen to the instruction about getting an information pack which involves pressing number one on your keypad, then asking for adult diagnosis information pack, and leaving your name and or your address. It can take about a week or two to arrive, depending on demand, but it will help you work out what's what with getting diagnosed.  

    Or from one of the site moderators there is this usual advice also which might prove helpful perhaps:

    Unknown said:

    Hi NAS35320,

    You may like to contact our Autism Helpline team who can provide you with information and advice in regards to getting a diagnosis.

    You can call them on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm).Please note that the Helpline is experiencing a high volume of calls and it may take a couple of attempts before you get through to speak to an advisor.

    Alternatively, you may find the following link from our diagnosis page useful:http://www.autism.org.uk/about/diagnosis.aspx 

    Ayshe Mod

    Basically when I got my information pack, it had a document in it called 'The sensory world of autism' ~ which I photocopied and I ticked all my hypo and hyper sensitivities and crossed those that did not apply.

    Then there was another document called 'WIRED Take The AQ Test' (mentioned and linked above by Bagpuss7) which I did with a friend who is a psychologist as the questions are a bit more suited for Neurologically Typical people (NTs) rather than Neurologically Divergent people (NDs) like ourselves ~ so if you get vexed or bewildered by the questions they have been mentioned on various threads here and elsewhere, we can help also if need be perhaps.

    Then there was another document called 'Diagnosis: the process for adults' which I copied like the others, putting it at the back with an explanatory letter on the front and stapled them altogether and sent it recorded delivery to my GP.

    My GP phoned me that week ~ as I am bit medical center and health worker phobic myself, and he very much agreed with me and the information, and I got referred and diagnosed eventually.

    If any of that helps possibly?

Children
  • in reply to Deepthought

    Thankyou for your reply,

    I will definitely give them a call and request a pack.

    Sending a letter to my gp sounds like a great idea as they are aware that I don't like going in. Im just not sure where id start if I did write to them, how did you begin your explanatory letter? 

    Thanks again for your help.