Hello. This is going to be a little bit rant-y, but I also have some questions. Sorry it's so long.
I'm 21 and I've suspected I'm autistic for a few years now, and only recently found the need to try and get formally diagnosed. I know many don't see it as necessary, but for me I like to know things for sure are facts. Because of this and also how I am currently struggling at university, I thought now (although a bit late) was my tipping point and that I should reach out because I feel like I need further support.
I contacted my university's disability support team, because I know they offer support with diagnosis of other conditions like ADHD. They say on the website that they cover the costs, which was a benefit for me as I am of course a student, and unemployed. But they told me they can't refer me for an assessment for autism, and referral has to be done through my GP. So question one: Is this true? I don't plan on contesting them on it as I feel there's no point, but I know that when it comes to children they can be referred through their school's disability team/SENCO, so is this not the case with universities? Even if they can refer me for other types of assessments?
Since that was taken away as an option, I have been looking into getting into contact with my GP to see if they can get me a referral. Though I have heard horror stories of dismissal of autism in women and adults by GPs, as well as awful waiting lists (I fear I might end up graduating or dropping out of university before a potential diagnosis is finished 
), I do feel as I said earlier that the opportunity for a diagnosis would benefit me personally. I cannot afford a private diagnosis by any means. This leads into my second question, which might be a stupid question, but I can't seem to find anything about it online. If referred through the NHS with a GP, are there costs for getting assessed? I only ask because my university discussing them covering costs for assessments led me to believe there are costs involved, even when not being diagnosed privately. I have seen a couple of numbers (£350, £600? Things like this) floating around that are seemingly significantly lower than private costs, but the information is strangely written and very hidden, so I still don't fully understand if there are costs involved or not.
Thank you for taking the time to read 
