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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 

Parents

  • 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.

Reply

  • 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.

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