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Autism, or just plain weird?

Mobbles

Hi, I am new to this forum 

After years and years of wondering why I was different/weird/eccentric not fitting in, having intense unique interests and lots of online research I created a bullet point style list of all the various traits I had that made me feel I may be somewhere on the spectrum. (I currently have Social Anxiety/General Anxiety/Depression and Obsessive tendencies)

I went in to the GP rambled on about why I felt this way. Then once he had slowly read through the list out loud(which was excruciating) he said: "it may just be your personality" - referring to the being called weird/eccentric bullet point. He then said, you seem to also have depression and anxiety so this could explain why you have some of these traits too.

Eventually he printed off an AQ-10 and asked me to drop it off at reception once completed but I think this was just a formality and that really he had made his mind up. I have answered most of the questions but some don't make any sense.

I am currently sat at work and feeling really confused and depressed - and weirder than ever!!! :/ 

Should I press further or just accept this could just be a part of me? I am approaching 40 btw.

Thanks

Parents

  • Hi, welcome to the forum,

    It's a shame that your GP wasn't a bit more helpful! Mine was a bit useless too when I went to see him to ask for a referral for assessment. He asked why I thought I had Aspergers, so I said because I'm like...reeled off list of ICD-10 criteria for Aspergers. To which he answered 'I can see what you're saying but I don't really know why you think you have Aspergers' (me in my head: Seriously?!!! Maybe because I've just told you quite clearly that I fulfil the diagnostic criteria for Aspergers!) So I had to push the issue and tell him that 3 healthcare and education professionals including myself agreed with my belief that I did indeed have Aspergers. Then and only then did he agree to refer me for assessment. 

    The bottom line is you need to give them enough evidence that they can't refuse to refer you! As already advised, doing the AQ50 is a good starting point; there's also a EQ score and there was one for restricted and repetitive behaviours @I'm done with Christmas Cards  please advise where you found this? It might also be worth asking family and friends for their opinion on behaviours in line with ASD then go back to your GP with the evidence that you have collected. It is not too late to pursue a diagnosis. I was diagnosed last year at the age of 37. It's never too late. If getting that diagnosis would hep you then go for it!

Reply

  • Hi, welcome to the forum,

    It's a shame that your GP wasn't a bit more helpful! Mine was a bit useless too when I went to see him to ask for a referral for assessment. He asked why I thought I had Aspergers, so I said because I'm like...reeled off list of ICD-10 criteria for Aspergers. To which he answered 'I can see what you're saying but I don't really know why you think you have Aspergers' (me in my head: Seriously?!!! Maybe because I've just told you quite clearly that I fulfil the diagnostic criteria for Aspergers!) So I had to push the issue and tell him that 3 healthcare and education professionals including myself agreed with my belief that I did indeed have Aspergers. Then and only then did he agree to refer me for assessment. 

    The bottom line is you need to give them enough evidence that they can't refuse to refer you! As already advised, doing the AQ50 is a good starting point; there's also a EQ score and there was one for restricted and repetitive behaviours @I'm done with Christmas Cards  please advise where you found this? It might also be worth asking family and friends for their opinion on behaviours in line with ASD then go back to your GP with the evidence that you have collected. It is not too late to pursue a diagnosis. I was diagnosed last year at the age of 37. It's never too late. If getting that diagnosis would hep you then go for it!

Children
  • in reply to Kitsune

    Hi Kitsun, thank you! 

    I really feel for you having to fight your corner to be heard. You just end up feeling so unsure of your own thoughts when the GP is so dismissive :( I'm so glad you were able to say hang on a minute...these people back me up with this.

     I am really unsure as I only scored 29/50 on the AQ50 test:

    The results from the AQ50 were: 

    Your score was 29 out of a possible 50.

    Scores in the 26-32 range indicate some Autistic traits (Aspergers Syndrome).

    AQ10 appears to be 4/10 which doesn't qualify for GP referral. Do you know if the AQ10 the end of the line when it comes to progressing with a diagnosis?

  • in reply to Kitsune

    Oh the RBQ2A?

    Here's the thread I started on it which has all the links: https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/15724/the-rbq2a---standardised-self-report-for-restricted-and-repetitive-behaviours-in-adults/ 

    It's not in the list at autismresearchcentre.com and my assessors at ADOS didn't react as if they had heard of it when I told them about it.

    This is crying out to be turned into an online tick-box quiz with automated scoring ............. 

  • in reply to Kitsune
    Kitsune said:
    The bottom line is you need to give them enough evidence that they can't refuse to refer you! As already advised, doing the AQ50 is a good starting point; there's also a EQ score and there was one for restricted and repetitive behaviours @I'm done with Christmas Cards  please advise where you found this?

    Here's a full range of tests from the the Autism Research Center that would probably be worth [Bookmarking] possibly:

    https://www.autismresearchcentre.com/arc_tests

    It is just a case of sorting through which ones are applicable age-wise, and using them as evidence for making a referral.

    Also, if you want , you can get an information pack about getting diagnosed with ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder), by telephoning the NAS (National Autistic Association) at any time on their helpline: 0808 800 4104, listen to the recorded instruction about getting an information pack ~ which involves pressing number one on your keypad, then asking for an 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 and availability, and it will help guide you through the process of getting diagnosed, i.e. what you need to do and your legal rights and all that.

    If any of that helps possibly?