• Replies 31 replies
  • Subscribers 88 subscribers
  • Views 6008 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

What helped you while waiting for an assessment?

Ultramarine

Hello,

I was just wondering if anyone can relate to the following things and if so, what helped you?


I'm currently waiting to hear whether my GP can refer me to the Lorna Wing Centre for an adult assessment.  If/when I confirm funding, the waiting list will be at least 5 or 6 months.  I'm a 38 year old woman.  I introduced myself recently on this forum and was overwhelmed by how kind and supportive the people on this forum are.  I feel glad to have found this community.

Because I'm relatively 'high functioning', I didn't suspect that I had autism until a few years ago, even though I knew something was wrong, and it's only now that I've plucked up the courage to have an assessment. Since finding out about autism, I'm becoming more and more sure that I am, and I have a friend who has an autistic son and they say that they are 100% sure that I am.

Did anyone else find the waiting period and the uncertainty difficult?  If so, what helped you?
I have some days where I feel sure that I'm autistic, and I feel relieved to have found the root of my problems and to know that they're not my fault.  I feel more accepting of myself than ever, because I know the reasons why I get anxious and struggle to talk around people.

Other times though, I find myself feeling like a fraud because I can function relatively well.  I wonder if I'm actually neurotypical and if so, I'm back to square one and I don't know the cause of my issues.   Does that make any sense?  Please don't get me wrong, I am grateful that although I have several difficulties, my problem isn't as debilitating as it could be, and I know many people struggle with day to day life much more.  But because I'm on the borderline, it makes it difficult to feel sure about whether I am autistic, and I feel that I can't accept myself and get used to who I am until I know for sure.

Can anyone relate to this and if so, what helped you?

Parents

  • Errr absolutely. Waiting for an assessment at the Lorna Wing Centre myself and going through similar thoughts and emotions.

    Not much is helping me with the wait. I need the answers to move forward and all of the things that would normally distract me aren't working at the moment. ALL I can think about is this.

    I have no handy hints. But you aren't alone.

  • in reply to Dawn

    Hi Dawn,

    I hope you have your assessment really soon.  Thanks a lot for recommending me the Lorna Wing Centre recently.  I have been in contact with them and they seem really humane and client-focused.  It helps to know that they are specialists in diagnosing adult women, because I have seen mental health professionals throughout my life and none has suggested to me that I might be autistic, so I am concerned that I might slip through the net again, but I feel confident that the Lorna Wing Centre would be able to give me an accurate diagnosis.

    I'm sorry that it's difficult for you at the moment, I'm feeling a similar way.  It does help to know that I'm not alone.  

  • in reply to Ultramarine

    Yes, they are meant to be the world leaders so I'm sure we will be confident in whatever their assessment is. I think I'll get mine about September. They are a bit behind with the pandemic, like everyone. 

    I was talking to a colleague yesterday whose partner has been waiting over a year on the NHS. He had a counsellor that spotted it straight away and referred. I can't get over the fact I spent so long under the care of the MH teams, giving them, I NOW realise as I action reply all those sessions with a clinical psychologist from memory, ALL of the descriptors and and so many clues, and they glossed over everything, still trying to treat me as though I was just having panic attacks. No matter how much I tried to explain that what they were saying just wasn't matching my experience, nothing seemed to be heard and I was just unco-operative and undeserving. Well, this DOES match my experience and all of the proposed solutions I'm reading about are the first things EVER suggested to me that make sense and look like they might work. 

    It is a bit gobsmacking that they never spotted it, but sadly, I don't think general mental health professionals are all that clued up on ASD. That much is just down to training. What I can't forgive though is their general blame-the-patient attitude.

    No, we can't afford to slip through the net again and I am sure the Lorna Wing Centre will find whatever is there to let us move forward, finally. The wait is a killer, though!

  • in reply to JJ

    Hi JJ,
    I hope you find a type of therapy that works for you.  It's good that you have such a finely-tuned awareness now of what would work and what wouldn't be helpful.

  • in reply to Untoward

    Hi Untoward,

    I'm sorry to hear that you had such unhelpful experiences with CBT.  I wish that more mental health professionals were aware of the symptoms of autism.  It seems that people have only started to understand it more relatively recently.  I hope that there will be more awareness and training about it as time goes on.

    One of my CBT therapists recommended me the meditation app 'Headspace'.  I use it every day and meditation has been one of the things that has helped me the most.  That also focuses on breathing and awareness of sensations.  

Reply
  • in reply to Untoward

    Hi Untoward,

    I'm sorry to hear that you had such unhelpful experiences with CBT.  I wish that more mental health professionals were aware of the symptoms of autism.  It seems that people have only started to understand it more relatively recently.  I hope that there will be more awareness and training about it as time goes on.

    One of my CBT therapists recommended me the meditation app 'Headspace'.  I use it every day and meditation has been one of the things that has helped me the most.  That also focuses on breathing and awareness of sensations.  

Children
No Data