Adult (Female) Assessment - Anyone with experience of CWP CRAC ASD service in North West please?

Yep, as someone else in Manchester I can tell you that was my experience, we called then multiple times and said I'd be getting seen whenever I was next.  Was finally diagnosed three years after my inital referal.  So keep contacting them every now and again to see where you are.

Thank you for your helpful thoughts WeaverBird. I think I probably will end up contacting them, but I'm still procrastinating due to worry I may offend them, however diplomatically I phrase it! Though really, I have every right to ask, I know.

Yes, it is interesting as you say (albeit concerning for females) that the phenotypes were/are indeed biased in influencing the current diagnostic criteria and hence the clinical perspective of the psychologists etc. I am hopeful that as time goes by, with increased peer to peer research and knowledge sharing via seminars, conferences etc. that there will be shift, however gradually, towards a more positive awareness of it all.

I do believe that with the apparent increase in autism awareness through the media etc.and as more and more women (and girls) become aware of the sheer breadth of autism (realising that like us, they could actually be autistic), then the more females are presented for diagnosis and possibly diagnosed ... Then of course one by one, a positive diagnosis means the male:female ratio is not as out of balance as previously thought. One of the incidental pros of a female undergoing assessment for diagnosis! One by one, the statistics will naturally shift and hence, attitudes... Hopefully.

This might be a silly question, but could you email them and ask? I know they are providing the NHS service and therefore likely somewhat stretched, and maybe they would just placate you. But I think asking for some assurance that they are not just rigidly applying tools that were developed on the typical male autism phenotype may not be wholly unreasonable (even if it could be more carefully phrased)? (A side note: I recognise all the tools were "validated" with mixed male and female cohorts, but presumably those women were biased towards the typical male autism phenotype because when you've defined autism according to that model of course they will be! I'm saying this not because I think they need to ditch the assessment framework they have, they are the NICE-recommended tools that are probably the best they have at the moment but it would be encouraging to know how they are looking outside the framework, e.g. are they good at spotting repeated and restrictive behaviours which are perhaps subtler/more socially acceptable than the typical presentation (as I think this is a typical female observation)).

Now I have got to nested brackets I will stop waffling. I am lucky enough to be going private further south but I share your concerns and (for all my suggestions above) haven't really worked out the best way of probing this question either. Good luck!

Thanks that's a good point. This is probably the admin staff at fault rather than the psychologists and therapists.

Forgot to add, hopefully to reassure you, the poor communication you've received so far would be an administrative failing and therefore no connection to the actual assessment itself, I should think. Undertandable to make that connection and worry though, I know.

I'm sorry to hear that Untoward ... I understand, I'm the same way - uncertainty niggles at me. Especially so, as this is such a significant thing for us. I always hesitate to enquire too as I feel they may think I'm hassling them, unreasonably...

I know it's a long while, but a waiting time of less than a year is by all accounts not the worst, as I've often heard an average waiting time of up to 2 years is the norm! However, like you say, the irony is that's really not the best situation for autistic people to have to endure!

I don't know if you are aware, but apparently you can get seen earlier if you ask them to be considered for cancellations. I don't know if it's something that is offered universally. By the sound of it, if so, they may not have had the foresight to tell you that, but it may be worth you asking, if that's something you're ok with? Once I get my appointment through after my questionnaire is processed, I will be doing just that.

All the best for your assessment.

Thank you for your support and likewise!

Thanks Aidie, it's always good to get recommendations out there.

I'm having to go the NHS route as at this current point, I wouldn't be able to afford private unfortunately. Axia (private and NHS) would have been my preference for all its recommendations and ethos plus it's actually only the next county away, but alas, not the designated provider my NHS pathway uses. Despite all my worst case scenario fears, it seems from my research the CWP service I have been referred to have been instrumental in advancing a lot of national strategies for Autism ... Just can't find any info on their approach/ethos regarding the whole female diagnosis thing, but I suppose it could bode well that they're pioneering champions in other ways. I'm hoping anyway.

I'm also in the North West but in Manchester. I got referred to an independent ASD/ADHD clinic in Greater Manchester. I didn't realise I could have chosen where to be referred.

So far I would say their communication has been terrible. I hate not knowing what is happening. Unknowns and surprises are really difficult for me, but they had no communication at all - no letters or anything for months and I don't know what to expect. Finally I emailed them and they told me I'm on a waiting list and it will probably be not until early next year that I get seen.

You would think communicating to the patient and ensuring they know exactly what is happening would be important when dealing with autistic people but apparently not! Makes me worried for the actual assessment because I really don't like going into unknown situations.

You are a wonderful person and I hope good things come your way.  [link removed]

Dr Kate Baldry   in birmingham area is very well recommended  she does NHS and self referrals and does online work as well.