Who is waiting for their assessment over here ? Would love to chat with those going through a similar experience.

Hi 

I too am waiting for an assessment.  I'm 52yrs and way too embarrassed and scared to speak to my GP so my husband agreed to pay for a private assessment ...although he doesn't agree with labels and thinks it pointless ...but that's what a lot of people say who have no idea what a struggle this can be!  I've filled an an Early Years Development form as best I can, my Mother died 30yrs ago and my Father is hopeless as remembering my early years and was pretty absent anyway, always being tied up with his business, so I've had to put what I can remember down and things my Aunt has told me.  I've a phone call in a couple of weeks time then I will get to hear the next steps.  

It is such a limbo period and the diet that I had miraculously been sticking to for a few weeks has now gone to pot as I'm comfort/stress eating a lot and am also finding it harder than ever to concentrate and focus on the tasks at hand ...if I could spend my life sat at my kitchen table dithering, I probably would - my husband had to forcibly shove me out the door and make me go up my allotment today !  I feel so awkward and embarrassed to admit all this at my age - it feels shameful, particularly in my case when my husband has health issues with prostate cancer - that kind of compounds the guilt I feel at being hopeless !

working out is a very good way to stop yourself dwelling on all this stuff too much :) good for you.

Hi there,

I'm somewhat older, 56, but going through it too.

Like Bumblebee I'm stuck in limbo with the problems I think are rooted in autism and stuck. I'm going to go private with the Lorna Wing Centre as our area has an 18 month minimum wait. I really can't go on like this, I need the answer one way or another in order to move forward.

My GP took me seriously no problem, though. What he has done for me, and depending on where you live might be available to you too, is also refer me to MIND Adult Autism services. They've offered me a course for adults awaiting diagnosis to help us understand our potential condition and manage anxiety in the meantime.

Meanwhile, I hear you and get it. The wait is horrible.

If you think I can help, please do message me.

there are a range of diagnoses you could have. Just proceed onwards to see what the professionals think. The odds are you will be "On the spectrum".

Have you any other relatives who have been suspected or diagnosed with autism or say ADHD ?

Has anyone ever said "You are autistic" or "weird/different" 

Welcome to this forum BTW 

Just so u know this is a public forum so anything you post can be seen by non members and the general public so dont say anything that identifies you eg location

I've just been given a wait time of 30 months for my assessment having started the process about 6 months ago. I'm 38 and have always felt there was something different and having looked into autism I have so many of the traits. My biggest worry is that the assessment will show I'm not on the spectrum and it'll be a case of "well now what?" It's good to know I'm not alone and good luck to everyone else who is waiting.

Hi, I am female, 21 and also waiting for my assessment. Feel free to send a personal message if you want to talk about it/ compare experiences :)

There are even more delays atm due to Covid resourcing and funding, but take comfort: Getting this far means they are taking your condition seriously. The hardest thing is to get them to take you seriously enough to be sent for assessment. Now it's just the painful wait...and I'm not sure ASDs are particularly patient by nature ;)

Hey - Also waiting for an assessment. 2.5 months ago I was told I ~could~ be on the spectrum and have lots of ''symptoms'' which are akin to autism. 

Very strange to be told this at the age of 26 - but makes a LOT of sense. Reading about different people in the same boat as me has actually helped so so much. 

Currently working hard in the gym and being a mum to try and keep my mind on track until the assessment (whenever that will be) Booked a GP appointment today to chase & discuss it

Yeah, the idea of seeking a diagnosis for me has been floated by many people over the years but by the time they accepted it might be necessarry the GP said we should wait until I turned 18 as it was unlikely I would be accepted by the children's services at 17 given their equally long waiting lists. 

They're supporting me in it now and are in the process of also seeking assessment for my younger brother who's 13.

Thanks, I'm trying very hard not to over think things but it's very difficult. I'm worried if I don't get a diagnosis after all of this and what would I do next. The issues and struggles I have won't dissappear overnight but I was unable to access local support until ruling out autism first. They said I presented lots of traits and would benefit from pursuing an asd assessment prior to engaging with them as their services will be unlikely to help me if that's the case.

I've been in limbo for over a year. Can't get any talking therapies and not keen on wanting to start medication. I feel like I can't really plan too much until I know where I stand with everything. I've actually been greatful for lockdowns and it taking the pressure off me work wise (been furloughed for most of the pandemic)

Good luck for this call ! I hope you will get what you are looking for

I see  thank you for your reply Aidie

Oh good luck with all of this... I can't even imagine how you feel right now...

It's challenging. Is your family supporting you ?

Thank you for your reply. It's good to hear your experience. 

I am on a waiting list of 18 months on the nhs side (it took me more than a year to be on thah list). And I am trying to also do it privatly so it is quicker (around 6 months). I wasn't sure if it was gonna be recognised by the nhs or not... I am going in a place recognised by the nhs but I didn't know that doing it privatly could stop nhs from recognising the diagnosis.

I particulary want to do it so I can tell my futur employers as it is hard for me to cope at work.

I'm 27 and had my assessment last week. I got an email today saying I will have to wait another fortnight for my appointment to go through the report and find out what they say. The wait was tough (18months from referral) but now this last bit of waiting I'm definitely finding the hardest. 

Hi! I am Tallis, also female, 18, and am waiting for my assessment. I was referred in December to BASS (Bristol Autism Spectrum Service), and I agree, the waiting and the uncertainty around it is really difficult. 

Unfortunately it's all about funding, the assessment centres get X amount of funding, they assign this to however many people they can assess with that funding and then have to wait for the next amount which can be months. It took a long time for our sons assessment. We were told we could pay for a private one which would cost a fortune but then the NHS still wouldn't recognise that for any further support which just seems ridiculous.

I hope it comes through soon for you, just keep posting on here i'm sure you will meet some people to just chat too

yes it took 2 years from referal to diagnosis for me under NHS  --- but it can be shorter or longer depending on your Health board

so maybe reply with what health board or city you are close to so maybe someone in your area can speak up.

Hi, I’m Sarah, I’m 29. I’m waiting for the doctor to call me on the 11th about referring me. I’ve heard it can be a long wait once referred.