The only real advantage that getting a diagnosis has conferred on me is being able to explain to my self and my loved ones why things went down the way they did, seeing the Dr and trickcyclist was not really neccesary, for me alone, the online aspergers test was accurate enough.

I think I may have not been clear sorry, I did not mean that a degree says you are coping, that is just an example of an achievement which shows you may not need support in education, but may need support elsewhere. E.g. autistic students could get diagnosed so they can access support at Uni.

Not everyone with autism needs support from professionals, but if you do need support, then you probably need diagnosis to get support.

it makes sense in a limited funds way.... i mean if they have limited funds, they are gonna prioritize help to those that are visibly not coping and will end up homeless and thus dead. if your funds state you can only save 10% then ofcourse your gonna help the ones heading off a cliff before the ones that seemingly are set in life. so its understandable that way. although their limited funds doesnt seem to matter when prescribing all sorts of unnecessary pharmaceutical meds here and there lol

Being able to achieve a degree doesn't mean you definitely manage well with autism. We really need to stop spreading this rubbish because it really does nothing to help those of us that may appear to have good jobs, education, relationships etc. but have to put a huge amount of energy into keeping up that life and image. If the autism community puts pressure on us to appear like we don't need support then what hope do we have. 

Why do you need a diagnosis? Many people I know are clearly on the ASD spectrum but cope with life without a diagnosis. 

It is very expensive and the GP will have a limited budget, so you would need to explain why he or she should spend NHS money in this.

I think if they are focusing on your successes, e.g. a degree, it is less because they don't believe you have autism and more that they think you are managing the condition well without intervention.

Alternatively ask about private diagnosis, it can cost thousands, but if you need a diagnosis to get the support you need, it is money we'll spent.

well done, thats the way to do it :)

While I agree with everybody else that you shouldn't have received that response from the GP your reply can be very simple:

"I have these issues and they are causing me difficulties in living a normal life. Whether they're autism or not, they're very real and I'd appreciate your help in understanding and resolving them. What would you propose?"

We don't know whether you have an autism spectrum disorder but we don't need to. What matters is that you get help, and can address the things that have been reducing your quality of life. Make that your focus with your GP and see where it takes you! :)

Gamerwolf331 said:

I now have a diagnosis and I feel much better in myself , now that I understand I'm not just weird and I don't have to force myself to socialise.

Ain't that the truth! I love not having to socialise.

Great advice, yep do the AQ and EQ online tests…

AQ  https://psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient

EQ https://psychology-tools.com/test/empathy-quotient

also no harm also doing this test….

rdos.net/eng/

GPs aren't always willing to give you the time of day. I once went to a Doctor because of a nasty pain in my foot, I told them it wasn't normal, got told 'lose some weight' and 'take Ibuprofen and rest it for a week' After two years of pain and constant painkillers, I had major foot surgery to reshape my foot and RE-ATTACH the tendon that had come away from the bone. 

I had a similar experience as you with the gp, saying he didn't think it was Autism .

But that could be because of the lack of being able to explain my thoughts and feeling face to face .

So what I did was , I took a test online ,then I printed off the whole thing .

I then wrote a letter explaining why I think I have ASD .

I went back to the doctors showed them the above and I got a referral .

I also didn't have any support from my parents during the assessment because they were indenial .

I now have a diagnosis and I feel much better in myself , now that I understand I'm not just weird and I don't have to force myself to socialise.

So don't give up.

I hope it all works out for you 

What a load of Rubbish !!!!! maybe someone with low functioning Autism BUT not high functioning Autism like Aspergers..

Apparently someone with Autism:

- Would not be able to graduate from university - I got a Masters and my Autistic son has a 1st from Durham !!

- Would not be able to have a job - been in the same job for over 32 years 

- Would have speech delays and not be able to talk like a regular person - depends usually give my life story to a complete stranger

- Would not be able to be in a relationship - been married twice - OK first one lasted 2 years but current one going 25 years and counting..

- Would need to live with parents or require a social worker to cope - not true but might need a councellor to help coping with life's stresses !!

I all else fails get a private diagnosis - you don't need to be referred by a GP !!

There is an autistic GP on this forum so your GP is ignorant. I also have a law degree and a postgrad social work degree. GCHQ love recruiting neurodivergent people, as do many tech companies... 

I mean, this is the nicest possible way, but your GP is ignorant and an idiot. Don't let them fob you off with excuses, tell them to refer you to be diagnosed and if they don't take it to a higher authority.

However, that being said, some points do hold true for some who have ASD. So he's not wrong, but he's not right either. People with ASD experience it different from other people with ASD.

Yes. The receptionist often know which gps are good at what but more importantly which gps are sympathetic and listen. 

Know it shouldn't be this way but it's like any profession some good some bad..

Good idea, never thought about that...

Would you agree that sometimes the receptionists of a practice will know what specialties the GPs are in to and might be able to direct you to a sympathetic one?

I have asked this of receptionists before when I moved town and found it to be helpful... 

Dont know if this will help but I was a gp for 15 years. I have also recently been diagnosed as autistic.

No excuse but there is widespread ignorance about autism among medical professionals. Being upfront, before my light bulb moment I was prob almost as ignorant. There are over 30,000 diseases and conditions humans get and more being discovered all the time so not a shocker really, esp when you think that professionals even in the neurodevelopmental world are still missing women who mask etc

However What there is no excuse for is the the fact that he dismissed you. What he should have done is say "I have to honest this is a condition I am unfamiliar with and if it's okay I'll do some reading about it and find out what the best way forward is then get back to you." That's what I would have done,  you have every right to be furious.

What I would do is see another doctor in the practice, pick one you like avoid the other guy as he clearly doesnt know his limitations. Do the brief AQ before you go and if you have any trouble tell them that the NICE guideline, 

(Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management

suggests referral to an autism service if you score more than 6/10 on the short AQ. NICE guidelines are the UK's evidence based guidelines all doctors should aim to follow, so they will know what you're talking about. If you can be bothered read the guideline yourself.

I'd prob go in gently mind sometimes you catch more flies with honey....

"IF you can get the funding".. says it all really...

The person you spoke to sounds uninformed. Did they do a proper formal assessment, or did they just offer an opinion based on a conversation?

It seems to me their impression of autism is "classic autism" (also known as severe autism/kanner's syndrome) - and nope, I don't fit the categories you've listed either either. 

I'm a graduate in full- time work and live independently. I'm also on the spectrum and have several issues (light sensitivity, difficulties in auditory processing, poor social functioning, rigid thinking styles, emotional unawareness, preference for routine-without people, hopeless with "hidden" social/work rules - and yes I've masked and forced myself to operate in a different way for years just to function and done so to the point I've had a mental break and been signed off for months on end. That cycle has been going on for a very long time!) 

I was diagnosed with autism last year.

If it helps I've attended multiple GP's over the years and was diagnosed with "depression simply because they didn't ask the right questions and I didn't always offer up information - because I didn't think it was relevant. Once I did a mood diary with my most recent GP after a particularly severe depressive episode - I've moved around quite a bit - which was enough to convince him I may be on the spectrum and that a referral for an assessment was required. Apparently it was something to do with my writing style and when my poor moods were triggered. 

Have a look at an screening tool (I used the AQ10 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142/resources/autism-spectrum-quotient-aq10-test-143968 which opened up a conversation with my GP. There's a longer version the AQ50 out there which has more questions).

If your results seem to nudge in the direction of the cut-off then look to go for a full assessment. The questionnaire doesn't replace a formal diagnosis but it can act as an indicator. If you're able to see a different GP for an NHS referral then go for it - your current one seems to lack the relevant expertise to support you. Alternatively if, you can get the funding, try for a self-referral. I went private and my team involved a clinical psychologist who has worked with the NHS and NAS. They picked up on things which I never would have considered to be an issue. Best move I made - it's completely transformed how I see myself, how I approach work and day to day life. 

As far as your GP goes... do they read the blog on the Royal College of Physicians?

https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/news/doctor-can-autistic-doctor

or the Lancet?

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(20)30087-0/fulltext

Best of luck