• Replies 5 replies
  • Subscribers 84 subscribers
  • Views 1423 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

GP appointment

Paper

Hi

I finally found the courage to book an appointment with my GP and (hopefully) begin the diagnostic process. The appointment is soon and it’s safe to say that I am feeling really anxious about the whole thing. I’m not sure what to say or how to structure what to say or how to communicate it to them as clearly as possible. I also have this imposter feeling that I’m not going to be believed and it gets to the point where I start to not believe it myself and start to feel silly.

Does anyone have any advice for what kind of thing to say or just any advice at all?

I know that before people have advised I have a list prepared of why I think I may be on the spectrum but I’m not sure how things usually go in a 10minute appointment and if there is much time. Could it be a few key reasons rather than the whole list of my characteristics? Would that be enough?

The appointment is over the telephone so although I don’t usually like to use the phone I think I prefer it because I can be at home when it happens.

Thank you.

  • Please take my advice, because the process in getting a general practitioner to take me seriously was horrible. For me it took over six years because of admistational errors and issues with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the general practitioner. 

    Be aware that their is often more than one organisation within the NHS that can diagnose you, If you have problem with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services if your under twenty five which general practitioner will often refer you too first you can also request to go out of area or to your areas adult autism services. You may also have access to private organisations that operate under the scheme called "NHS right to choose" which is free and often wait times are significantly shorter often around three months instead of the NHS two to three year waiting list.

    I advise you to find the location of everywhere that can possible diagnose you within your county or fifty mile radius of yourself  As general practitioner often do not have the knowledge or time to explore alternative options and will often feed patients with false information.Often lying to patients to avoid looking for alternatives. If you are told there are not other options i would be cautious.

    I have personally found that female general practitioners and general practitioners under the age of thirty five are more autism friendly & would avoid seeing an older male doctors as they are more likely to dismiss you or brush you off.

    Your county may have an autism or neurodivergent partnership which may have a website with list of organisations, advocates and support to help you through the diagnostic process and fight the dreaded general practitioners for you

    I would go online a fill out the Autism AQ test prior to seeing your general practitioner & gather supporting information from your  family, friends and teachers current or previous, A letter from each is acceptable. In this letter you will need them mention behaviours and concerns they had while you were growing up that may support you have autism. I would also personally write a list of of all autism related behaviours you believe you have.    .

    Its also very important to bring someone you trust with you to the appointment as the general practitioner is less likely to brush you off.

    Its also important to check on your referral as admistational errors have been known to occur where your general practitioner has forgotten to send the referral or to the wrong place or failed to fill out forms which lead to your referral being closed. i recomement harassing/checking into your doctor every two week until referral is accepted, Once referral is accepted by the organisation diagnosing you i would harass and call them every month so you are not lost in the administration system or referral closed for no interaction     

  • Thank you all, this has helped. I’ve done the AQ10 and AQ50 and got 9 and 44 as my scores so I can reference those 

  • Do some online tests and have the results and both you and a supportive family member there to speak.

    Write the reasons you wood like a diagnosis......They need to be convincing - eg employment issues, relationships.

    You can always read about the things that may help. yourself

    The main tests

    AQ10,

    Autistic spectrum Quotient,

    if they are negative consider Raads R, Cat Q

  • My husband had a phone consultation then the doctor asked him to write a full list and drop it into the surgery because he was sure he was forgetting things. The more evidence you can present the better. He also included his AQ 10 and 50 scores as well as a couple of pictures of results from the idrlabs ASD and ADHD tests

  • have a list of autistic traits u have,,, which u can give him so he doesnt miss anything. 

    he will ask u why do u think u are autistic for sure

    then just read him your list