Got my assessment appointment ....

thanks - the imposter syndrome was really tricky to manage. combined with anxiety about everything anyway.....  I almost didn't go back to my second appointment as I was convinced I had completed all the questions and tasks from the first session in a wholly competent and utterly NT way....  turns out I had not..... very much not!

south wales

Congratulations. Glad you stuck with it. An example to anyone else out there with pre-diagnosis-imposter-syndrome worries (that’s me, btw :-) )

Best wishes

Wow, 6 months? They told me the waiting time was 18 months... Which area are you in?

Everything is you. ASD is part of who you are. It's just a word to explain why your brain works a certain way. But it's all you :) In a good way!

the waiting was tricky that's for sure. I think it was about 6 months from first questionnaires to appointments but I had said I would be able to take one at short notice so am not sure if that speeded things up. hopefully you will hear something soon.

It's certainly been a strange few days.. I'm still not sure what I feel other than wondering what bits of me are me and what are autism and whether there even is those 2 parts... making me look at everything!

Congratulations on getting your diagnosis. I'm still on the list at the moment - really hope they get around to me soon. 

Well done for overcoming your anxiety and concerns. Hope your diagnosis brings better acceptance of yourself. I was diagnosed a few months ago. Lots of emotions since! 

thank you. feel a bit not sure what at the moment..... need to settle for sure! 

Congratulations, that great news. Well done for getting through it. It will take time to process everything, but the forum will be here for you when you are ready to talk and ask the many questions you will no doubt have.

Hiya - just got a diagnosis. 2 appointments, yesterday and today. Lots to process but wanted to update and thank people who told me not to cancel. 

thank you

I concur with what previous respondents have said. I went through exactly the same anxieties and "imposter syndrome" when I was waiting for my assessment; it's perfectly normal, and ironically, may be a sign of autism in itself.

My experience of the assessment process was great. Once I'd overcome my initial nerves, it was wonderful to speak with someone who understood what I was talking about and took the way that I described the workings of my mind at face value. The process felt much more relaxed than I thought it would be, and it was made clear that I could take a break at any point if I started to feel a bit overwhelmed (I didn't though). It was much more like the kind of conversation about my thoughts that I'd always wished I was able to have IRL, and not at all like an interrogation or test.

Lack of family involvement is quite common, whether because of estrangement, lack of cooperation, or no-one being available. I have never spoken to anyone who has been denied a diagnosis on these grounds; at worst (as in my case) it might simply be noted that there is some ambiguity about language delays, which for "Aspergers type" autism in adulthood is a moot point anyway. It's a situation that the assessors are likely to have encountered many times before.

thank you - in about 6 weeks. 

thank you

hi - don't think about cancelling - you've got this far in the process so it is best to see it through, otherwise you would always be wondering what if.

Regarding family questionnaires - I chose not to give details of my family and it wasn't an issue at ll when it came to my diagnosis.

The psychologist who diagnosed me was incredibly caring and put me at my ease - I hate talking about myself but she made it as painless as it could have been.

When are your appts?

Hi Murmu,

What you're feeling is completely normal, and we've all been through it to a greater or lesser extent on our own journeys to diagnosis. I remember feeling like you do now, part fraud ("I've coped up to now so maybe it's not that bad"), part worry ("What if they say it's not autism? What then?"), and a whole heap of anxiety about not knowing what to expect, having to talk to a stranger in an unfamiliar place etc.

You absolutely won't be laughed out of the place, nor labelled an attention-seeker, or anything else (well, maybe 'autistic', but certainly nothing bad). The assessments are there to explore the difficulties you have now and in the past, and, in some cases, try to gain a basic understanding of the kind of help you need.

They literally want you to be yourself—and it's not often that we get to do that as auties. After all, you will be in a safe place with people who understand where you are coming from, and who want to help you access support (if that's what you also want). These guys are on your side!

I'm sorry your family aren't more supportive and, sadly, that isn't unusual, but it won't in any way jeopardise your diagnosis so please try not to worry too much about that. It's good that you've discussed it with them and can provide some childhood history on your challenges and experiences.

All the reasons you wanted to pursue the diagnosis are probably still there for you; I know it's a tortuous process, but you'll find it worthwhile even if you decide not to disclose your diagnosis or access additional support. Plus, you'll always be welcome on these forums irrespective of what the assessment says if you feel it is a natural home for you.

Take good care. It will be okay.

Nessie