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private diagnosis Taunton Somerset

reddragonfly

hi

I am currently on an NHS waiting list in Taunton Somerset for autism diagnosis through my GP.

It has jumped from approx 1 year to approx 18 months, so I’ve just been told.    this means I have at least another 8 or 9 months to wait , maybe longer.   it is making me very anxious because I’ve been getting unhelpful comments from people and family like ‘you don’t sound autistic’. And all the rest of it.  

I just wondered if anyone else in Somerset knows of , or has had a private diagnosis to get themselves seen faster.

Do you have any recommendations of private psychiatrists / psychologists that could help in my location? 

Thanks for your help.  

  • Hi we in taunton Somerset too hi:) My son diagnosed at 18 thru Somerset taunton nhs..it only came about coz he was suicidal by that point otherwise your just ignored it seems they don't bother unless you are literally at breaking point..it was very obvious with my son and I suppose its a blessing as I here a lot of people struggle with getting girls diagnosed as its harder to spot so that's one thing you should be thankful for I guess..sometimes they never get diagnosed ever properly. It was five yr ago when my son diagnosed  and they were prompt about it but as I say I didn't beat about Bush I told them I don't know what's wrong but he's not acting like other teens and he basicaly is suicidal please help me now..also am single parent no support or family..I mention this as I think all these things drove them to be prompt about it..I'm not saying lie but don't be shy in giving them all the details and in fact pressure them and if your instinct feels its of importance they  hurry up tell them be firm..because in fact with autism they don't vocalise when they down or depressed it's easy for things to go unnoticed when they struggling more than you know even the most loving parent can fail to spot these things..trust me pressurise them do what you have to do.if all that fails go private do what you have to as believe me the only thing that matters is your son. 

  • Hi, I know this was posted a year ago, interested to know if you are any closer to diagnosis? I am Taunton too and am on the NHS waiting list, I've been told 2 years now, I think im in burnout and cannot wait that long! Did you go private? If so who did you use. TIA

  • in reply to aidie

    Thx, I have emailed them.   I’m not sure if ‘patient choice’ applies as I’ve only been offered the option of being seen by Bridgewater services , who have now told me I’m currently 50 on a list of 180 and the waiting time is approx 18 months because staff have left and they are recruiting new ones.   Arghhh.   So I’ve asked them if I can be seen quicker someplace else.  Thx for your help. 

  • I used Psychiatry UK who did an online assessment, so I guess you could be anywhere.

  • I'm a retired expat, who decided just 5 years ago that a diagnosis might complement  self-identification. Adulthood autism is basically inadmissible where I now live, so I decided to take a look around my home country. I was born quite near Taunton, and still have family there.

    The first thing I found out was that long-term expats could expect nothing from local NHS practices. For example, one Somerset NHS trust has downloadable resources for people with autism, but you have to be registered with a local GP; and local NHS practices are not going to show any flexibility in allowing long-term expats to access those resources. (Indeed, I would have to be resident there for months before they would even consider allowing registration. A two month visit was not enough.) And absolutely nothing is available where I now live.

    But all the above is NOT particularly appropriate to your immediate need. If you are intent on a private diagnosis, I'd say do what I eventually did: Take yourself off to a different part of the UK. You will find other posts on this site that do actually recommend a  number of private assessors that are not too expensive, and which have a good rep and reasonable waiting lists; and those definitely include the place I eventually went to, and which I have no regrets about. (I"m doing a support group ZOOM with them later today.) I'm a bit wary of doing a direct endorsement, because NAS aren't too keen on us doing that. However, I notice they have left some of the endorsements posted here alone; and that's probably because they recognize those places as being highly supportive of their own cause. It does help that Taunton is right next to the M5. It will probably help if you look for places that already act as NHS contractors in their own area, as they will know the correct procedure about informing your GP. Most private assessors will advertise the trusts they work with, but it isn't essential that you live in those areas.

    You could also PM me on this site for further info. But try doing a search on this site first, as I would guess you won't necessarily need to go quite as far from Taunton as myself.