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First assessment - unlikely to be ASD

NAS38861
over 4 years ago

Hi,

Im looking for some advice, and if anyone has been through this. I had my autism assessment today (after a v long wait). I strongly identify with Aspergers ie trouble making friends, have always been the odd one out, mimicking, trouble socialising, vivid imagination etc - but after an hour and a half I was told I don’t tick enough boxes.

Ive been told the psychiatrist needs to speak with my mum and partner as my mum lives the other side of the country and couldn’t attend. I appreciate that it needs further evidence but omg - how can I not be on the spectrum when I relate so hard to the traits?! I’m a 38 y/o female. I approached my GP for referral. 

Any advice would be so greatly appreciated x 

Parents
  • over 4 years ago

    You still could be. There's a chance the assessor could be wrong. After all the diagnosis is based on opinion, which is subjective.

    I once worked at a uni who assessed students. We had to let one assessor go due to their lack of understanding of how autism presented in wormen. She kept diagnosing female students with GAD and telling them they weren't autistic when they clearly were. When these students were re-assed they rightfully received their autism diagnosis.

    If you're not happy with the end result seek a second opinion. I'm not the best at verbalising things so I gave my assessor 8 sides of a3 with examples of how I met the DSM 5 criteria. Have you considered doing anything like that? If you haven't you could get your partner to help you with it and then they could hand it to the assessor at their session.

Reply
  • over 4 years ago

    You still could be. There's a chance the assessor could be wrong. After all the diagnosis is based on opinion, which is subjective.

    I once worked at a uni who assessed students. We had to let one assessor go due to their lack of understanding of how autism presented in wormen. She kept diagnosing female students with GAD and telling them they weren't autistic when they clearly were. When these students were re-assed they rightfully received their autism diagnosis.

    If you're not happy with the end result seek a second opinion. I'm not the best at verbalising things so I gave my assessor 8 sides of a3 with examples of how I met the DSM 5 criteria. Have you considered doing anything like that? If you haven't you could get your partner to help you with it and then they could hand it to the assessor at their session.

Children
  • over 4 years ago in reply to NAS50301

    Thank you for your reply x 

    from what I understand Aspergers in women is an area yet to be fully appreciated and I feel with every fibre in my body that I am autistic - and that’s really interesting what you say about the GAD diagnosis. I’m concerned that’s where I’m heading as she kept saying I’ve spoken a lot about anxiety. I’m hoping the interview with my mum and then with my partner will help as it’s additional voices and views - to help back up what I said. I will also try to get it down on paper - thank you for that tip and in replying. I will seek a second assessment if I get an anxiety diagnosis.