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trying to get a diagnosis

Carmen

Hello! 

I am 19 and in college, and for a while i wanted to talk to a GP about being autistic and getting an assessment. I spoke to my mum and support teacher (she helps with my dyslexia) about it and they both read through the traits and agreed i should talk to a GP, so that i can get the support i need in college and just know how to help myself with things i struggle with. 

So i told my GP, i told him the traits, what i find hard, etc and he agreed I should be referred, but the problem was he had never had to refer anyone for autism (i live in a small village) so he didn’t know who to even refer me to. He said that it won’t even matter to have a diagnosis because i’m high functioning, but my college won’t give me support without one Disappointed 

A week later he gave me a book of things to tick if i relate, but then that same week said he found someone to refer me to so that i won’t have to wait years for a assessment.

I was happy to get someone so quick, but when i spoke to the person i was referred to he said he actually has never worked with an autistic person as he is an anxiety doctor, and that’s all he can help me with. 

At the same time, my GP said i don’t need to give him the assessment paperwork he gave me anymore as i’m speaking to the anxiety doctor.

i mentioned that i want to be referred, as my college has said if i don’t have a diagnosis they can’t help me, so i want to be referred ASAP. The anxiety doctor said he would call the GP to refer me again, but this was 5 months ago, and i haven’t been referred.

Im now started college and have no support. I feel so stuck, i can’t afford to do it private :(  

has anyone else been stuck like this? 

i’m really sorry if i worded anything wrong, and that it’s so messy! i was just going to wait but i really don’t know what to do and feel bad bringing it up so much. thank you for reading 

  • Hi Carmen, I'm sorry to hear about your struggles, I too got nowhere with my doctor, it was my local mental health services that got me a referral in the end, perhaps you could try that route, but be warned that the waiting lists for assessment if you get that far are very long, so I don't think there is a quick fix for this one unfortunately.

    As somebody else said not everyone accepts a private diagnosis, they unfortunately don't seem to carry the same credibility as an NHS diagnosis, best of luck with this anyway.

  • I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time with this, I wish I had more support when I was at university. it can be challenging and at times exhausting to get the support you need but you should be supported through college.

    I dont really know for sure any better way for you to getba diagnosis quickly. I may be wrong here but you're college may be able to refer you themselves if they know where to send your referral so you could ask if they can help with this. It may also be worth trying to find a local group who could help or asking ASD related charities if they have any advice. It could also be worth asking your college if they can help fund an assessment with a private specialist but this is a long shot and some places only accept a diagnosis directly from the NHS. 

    I wish I could offer better advice to you as I completely understand how you feel but I hope you get the support you need and all the best for your course. You will do great!