I asked my GP to refer my for an assessment in July / August and was told the waiting list was 12 - 18 months. In the meantime I decided to go private and am awaiting my assessment in January. Another reason for going private is that I feel I would get a fair assessment as the place has lots of experience with women. I think I mask very well.
I received a letter yesterday from the NHS referal place (for various reasons I only opened it yesterday when it was dated 27th Nov) to say I have an appointment tomorrow.
That's the only information on the letter - an appointment. So I rang up today and was told it's going to be a conversation to discuss development and family history. She said it's not necessary for my parents to attend but would help (it's an appointment over the phone). She said a more formal assessment would take place in due course at some point in the future.
I'm stressing out about this now. I wanted time to prepare so I don't miss things (even when I visit the GP I prepare cos I know I miss silly things out that might be obivous for some people to say but I only think about it afterwards). If I hadn't rang up, I woudn't have known anything about this as the letter just says "appointment". I've no idea what they are going to ask me so don't know what to prepare anyway.
Also the fact that my parents *could* attend but I haven't been brave enough to approach them about possibly being on the spectrum yet. I was working my way up to that as it's been asked they attend when I have the private assessment in Jan.
I'm still going to keep my appointment tomorrow and the private one in Jan. But it's going to be on my mind all tonight. It's just really thrown me today and added to an already stressful day with work. With the word "appointment" I was expecting more of an informal chat with a view to them saying "yes we will asess you" or "unfortunately we can't assess you".
I'm not looking for any answers from anyone. I just wanted to put it out there.
