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Female Diagnosis Advice

MimiA

Hey everyone, 

A couple of months ago I was reading something on reddit about the arm flapping thing. I have done this my whole life and thought it was only me (I still do it in secret in the bathroom) 

This led me on to reading up about this being linked to autism, and since then it's been bouncing around my head that I may have autism. I haven't really mentioned this to anyone, because I am not sure what the implications might be. 

I am a 31 yo female, so I have been doing some research on the difficulties of being diagnosed as being on the spectrum. I had a look at some of the information available on this site and the NHS, and the more I read the more it makes sense to me that this explains some of my behaviours. I also read this study which is a good read if you can access it - 

Bargiela, S., Steward, R. & Mandy, W. The Experiences of Late-diagnosed Women with Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Investigation of the Female Autism Phenotype. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 3281–3294 (2016). https://doi-org.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/10.1007/s10803-016-2872-8 

I am just looking for some advice on what I should do, I had a look at the AQ-10 assement and scored a 6, which is on the lower end  for referal but I am not really sure I understand some of the questions and if this test is geared more towards some of the "typical" male indicators or a more general test.  https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142/resources/autism-spectrum-quotient-aq10-test-143968

I have previously approached a GP about depression when I was 18 and been brushed off so I am a bit apprehensive to go for this, if my self diagnosis is unfounded or the doctor decides I don't meet their criteria. Has anyone had any experience with this? 

Thank you 

  • I just wanted to tell you a bit about my experience with diagnosis just because it seems different to others, well the initial part of the diagnosis.

    I have found this site helpful but didn’t find it or even look for it until a referral was submitted, that’s because unlike lots of others on her I didn’t think I was autistic and it had never even crossed my mind. I would be lying if I said I’d had a hard life as I have probably had it easy compared to others but I never felt I fitted in and thought I was a bit weird. My social skills are non existent but where it mattered I seemed to mask and not cause too much issue. The reason I’m telling you this is because I’ve read lots of people having issues with GP’s not been interested or if they are the referrals have not been accepted and it taking years before an appointment, that’s not my experience.

    I didn’t got to the GPS much but I probably went more that others my age due to an ongoing condition and nothing was ever said to me and I assume I must have masked at these appointments, however several years ago I wasn’t well mentally and I guess it is described as a breakdown so I went more often. Out of the blue my Gp announced she thought I was autistic, in the GP surgery it was handled Badly as there was just a referral sent, no discussion and I had no idea why they suddenly decided this. Very quickly I got a letter and it seems the diagnosis process started instantly. 

    It did probably take a year but this includes referral, alll forms I had to fill in and family members, all appointments and then the diagnosis meeting. I can’t really complain, if like you I had suspected I was autistic I would have been pleased with how the process went.

    The reason I’m telling you this is because you mentioned about  having depression, other than that I don’t know anything else about you but I guess depression was the cause or pry of my breakdown so it might be that I was fast tracked or something and they may do the same for you, At the time I didn’t think they were doing anything special but looking back at the reassuring phone calls, emails and appointments it’s seems so much better than the experience others have had. It might be worth explaining to your GP how it is effecting you and you might get the speedy service I got. 

    I am not saying others didn’t explain how it was effecting them but based on how i ll I was they really pushed it through. good luck x 

  • Hello!

    I am 34 and just diagnosed this week.  I did not have to make much of a case to be referred by my GP I think because of a history of regular contact with MH services and various MH issues that are typical in women on the spectrum (anorexia, depression, anxiety, OCD).  However, I did take some info with me about women on the spectrum and highlighted the traits from this list that applied to me everydayaspergers.com/.../.

    I waited over a year for assessment with SLAM and then the service was moved over to Psicon and I was seen within a month.  I had an assessment during the Coronavirus crisis that involved my parents completing a questionnaire, my competing a questionnaire and then two interviews with the clinical psychologist.  I thought I would be a ‘borderline’ case and was very anxious that I may not get a diagnosis at all - in the end, I needn’t have worried as my diagnosis was unequivocal. I am awaiting my report which should arrive in about 6 weeks.