Any advice on being assessed for autism?

Hi everyone. I am just here looking for a bit of help. I am 24 years old and have struggled mentally and socially for as long as I can remember. It started with being obsessive as a child. I struggled with s chool and to this day I still struggle to make friends. I find myself not understanding other people and how they feel and just things that other people find easy are hard for me. Things like having a conversation. I hide it really well, but I feel as if I have been hiding it for a long time and it is exhausting. I have outbursts caused by frustration and becoming too overwhelmed. These outbursts have involved anything from head butting or punching things to throwing myself down the stairs. I don't understand why I do this I just feel like I am so overwhelmed by situations and I don't know what to do with the emotions and information I am dealing with. I have now booked a doctors appointment for next week but I was just wondering if anyone is in a similar situation and how others have coped. Particularly with the social side, outbursts and sensory problems. Thank you so much in advance. 

Parents
  • I had my son referred by gp and the waiting was about 6-8weeks.  I got s call and completed a questionnaire that only need a tick for the statements.  He was seen and they just asked questions from both of us.  Then told me he was on the spectrum and will be diagnosed by the specialist and 6 months wait.  Give gp as much details as you can and they will be able to advise you and refer.  No one at my son's school believed my son had a sen but the gp was very understanding and said the referral wont hurt anyone at least it will put mind to rest.  The assessment helped me understand my son better as I feel I was making his life harder when I couldn't understand why he couldn't follow or understand instruction.  GP would be the best place to start at.  

Reply
  • I had my son referred by gp and the waiting was about 6-8weeks.  I got s call and completed a questionnaire that only need a tick for the statements.  He was seen and they just asked questions from both of us.  Then told me he was on the spectrum and will be diagnosed by the specialist and 6 months wait.  Give gp as much details as you can and they will be able to advise you and refer.  No one at my son's school believed my son had a sen but the gp was very understanding and said the referral wont hurt anyone at least it will put mind to rest.  The assessment helped me understand my son better as I feel I was making his life harder when I couldn't understand why he couldn't follow or understand instruction.  GP would be the best place to start at.  

Children