Published on 12, July, 2020
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
I did the Cambridge assessment and got 58/60, yet in the 1st assessment I was told I didn't tick enough boxes. I was lucky that I had a second assessment and the senior psychologist said my diagnosis was clear cut, wasn't borderline or could be mistaken for anything but aspergers! I didn't have friends or family as witnesses.
Also had counselling & work assessments that were a farce as the "expert" just parroted the medical definition of autism and deflected from clarifying what HFA & Aspergers are. Mental health is a huge area & underfunded so you may of had a not-so-good assessor.
If you believe that you have then push for a second assessment.
This sounds like what I did! I took the assessment online and it came back as a high score - pretty identical questions today and suddenly I’m not presenting as autistic. It seems so archaic to beking boxes as the spectrum is so wide. I had my assessment with a clinical psychologist who I understand is well practised but I just felt the Aspergers side and how it presents in women wasn’t apiated as women hide it better and it’s often misread as GAD or BPD. It seems to be an issue everywhere. Thank you for your reply - and to others. This is proving so helpful.