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Preparing for Online triage appointment

Fibonacci Squid

I am in the process of seeking an autism assessment as an adult and was given a date for my online triage appointment today for this coming Monday.

While my brain is freaking out about an important thing at such short notice, I was wondering if anyone has any experience or advice for this initial appointment, especially for those conducted over video call. Any information that I should collect or anything that will be important to say in the appointment. 

Also, anyone who has an idea of how it's likely to be conducted. All I've been told is that it will be with 2 members of the clinical team and last about 60 minutes and discuss my needs and difficulties and I'm not good with the unknown.

Any advice or information is greatly appreciated.

Parents

  • I had a voice only triage a year or two back - I can't remember how long it was, but I think << than 1 hour.

    Have you done some of the Autism diagnostic tests (AQ50 etc.)? The questions encouraged me to think about my behaviours (rather than just live them!).

    To prepare for triage I went through the symptoms of autism (eg: as shown here https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism), and noted down real-life anecodotes from my past for each applicable symptom.

    They seemed particularly interested in my childhood examples, so if possible I suggest noting down how the symptom manifested in both childhood AND as an adult. Talk to siblings, parents etc, if possible for insights on possible autistic behaviour when you were young.

    Before I realised I was autistic, I assumed that everyone (in general) thought at least vaugely like me. Once self-diagnosed, I was quite surprised to find for example, that not everyone masks when they leave the house. So it's worth having discussions with any neurotypicals you know well about the way you think, what you find difficult etc.

    I have my actual autism assessment via video in September... I'm trying to practice NOT masking in front of people - but after 50 years I'm finding it very difficult... stuff like not looking people in the eyes if I don't want to (since normally I force myself to stare at their nose) and also just stimming if I need to (I like to set my leg auto-bouncing with golgi reflex).

    Good luck. I hope you reach enlightenment.

Reply

  • I had a voice only triage a year or two back - I can't remember how long it was, but I think << than 1 hour.

    Have you done some of the Autism diagnostic tests (AQ50 etc.)? The questions encouraged me to think about my behaviours (rather than just live them!).

    To prepare for triage I went through the symptoms of autism (eg: as shown here https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism), and noted down real-life anecodotes from my past for each applicable symptom.

    They seemed particularly interested in my childhood examples, so if possible I suggest noting down how the symptom manifested in both childhood AND as an adult. Talk to siblings, parents etc, if possible for insights on possible autistic behaviour when you were young.

    Before I realised I was autistic, I assumed that everyone (in general) thought at least vaugely like me. Once self-diagnosed, I was quite surprised to find for example, that not everyone masks when they leave the house. So it's worth having discussions with any neurotypicals you know well about the way you think, what you find difficult etc.

    I have my actual autism assessment via video in September... I'm trying to practice NOT masking in front of people - but after 50 years I'm finding it very difficult... stuff like not looking people in the eyes if I don't want to (since normally I force myself to stare at their nose) and also just stimming if I need to (I like to set my leg auto-bouncing with golgi reflex).

    Good luck. I hope you reach enlightenment.

Children
  • in reply to moon

    Thanks for your information and advice moon, 

    It has been really helpful.

    I have the advantage when it comes to masking that I have a 2 hour driving lesson ending an hour before the appointment and am usually too exhausted to mask after them so that will help temper that side a bit.

  • in reply to moon

    The person assessing you is medically trained to spot camouflage or masking behaviours so you don't need to worry. I don't know how to put this, but if you escalating your behaviour during the assessment they will think that your faking it and not take you seriously. Just be as honest and truthful and try your hardest to explain the how it effect you on a daily basis. you never know they may diagnosis you with autism and refer you to another specialist to be assessed for ADHD or PTSD.