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Apparently I cannot possibly have Autism because...

Entropy

Hi everyone!

My partner recently pointed out to me that I show a lot of autistic traits so I've been doing a lot of reading about the signs and symptoms and it really does sound like me. I've read so many stories and forums and it all sounds very familiar and I really feel like I can relate. I actually started to feel a bit better and like I understood myself more. I wasn't just "weird" but there could be an actual diagnosis and lots of other people out there like me! However, I wasn't happy to just self-diagnose so I booked a doctor's appointment to request a referral to a specialist... but according to this person there is no chance that I have Autism. 

Apparently someone with Autism:

- Would not be able to graduate from university

- Would not be able to have a job

- Would have speech delays and not be able to talk like a regular person

- Would not be able to be in a relationship

- Would need to live with parents or require a social worker to cope

Apparently, most of what is on the internet is wrong and I'm just seeing these autistic traits because I read about it...

I don't want to start listing all my traits in this post, whether or not I have ASD is a separate topic. I definitely don't think I explained myself well during the phone call (anxiety, brain fog, confusing questions), but I also feel like he just ignored a lot of what I said. Has anyone else had a similar interaction with their GP? I am a little surprised that a doctor could be so narrow-minded and dismissive.  

I don't know where to go from here. I feel really disheartened. 

Parents

  • 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

    Grinning

    Best of luck

Reply

  • 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

    Grinning

    Best of luck

Children