How can I prepare for the assessment?

I had mine at a similar age - my advice would be, don't prepare. The more research you will do, the more you'll over-think it, and you'll just be trying to recall the "right" answers that you think they want to hear, to the questions you are expecting them to ask.

At the end of the day, they are not trying to catch you out or trick you in any way. Their role is not in any way to "prove" that you are not autistic, any more than the onus is on you to "prove" that you are. You're not in court!

I saw two people when I had mine, first a woman and then a man, with some waiting in between - I was probably there about three hours in total (when I said "don't prepare," you might want to prepare a drink, a snack and something to read!). They were very nice - it certainly felt more like an informal chat than, say, a job interview or something stressful like that. I did bring my emotional support plush Kiwi, but he wasn't really needed.

Also, bear in mind that drawing a blank when asked a question you weren't expecting is a very typical autistic thing to do - it may make you feel awkward, but it certainly won't hinder a diagnosis - probably the opposite!

I think that your approach, while honest, might not be suitable for someone who habitually camouflages and masks when with strangers, and who is very good at it, having had decades of practice. It would not have worked for me. My only visible autistic trait, as described by the psychiatrist, was a somewhat 'flat affect'. My diagnosis was firmly based on my traits as described by me, my recollections, and those of my wife. I find that the anxiety of situations like the assessment tends to make me forget things, so having a detailed set of written notes was absolutely vital for me, and my peace of mind beforehand.

Yeah, fair enough. I think I was very relaxed for a couple of reasons - firstly, I had absolutely no doubt in my mind that I was autistic, and because it was so totally obvious to me, it never occurred to me that it could be anything short of totally obvious to a professional in the field (and apparently it was pretty obvious - I suppose not many grown women take a cuddly toy to their medical appointments). And because the diagnosis was something I wanted and felt entirely positive about... I mean, I'd have been a little bit disappointed if they'd said no, but the NHS was always the first roll of the dice, I'd have paid for a second opinion if I'd needed to.

I was often looking around the room and only really looked at him while i was listening. All the best for your assessment!

I've got my assessment on Friday and it's by video call, I'm exactly the same hate video calls never use them, never know where to look. 

Yes, I know the feeling, "I don't think I'm autistic enough". Then something happens, and suddenly you know full well that you are definitely not neurotypical.

I was also impressed with the psychiatrist who assessed me. It was the first time I felt really taken seriously and understood throughout this entire process.

Ironically now that I have my diagnosis I feel less certain that I have autism haha I've heard it can happen, imposter syndrome type thing. I'm also currently off work looking after my toddler but I'm sure as soon as I get back into work life all my triggers will kick back in.

I'm not sure there's much my GP can do, I think I need to research more about how to help myself and various strategies and coping mechanisms other people with autism use. Do you think my GP could be helpful?

I was diagnosed by Psychiatry UK, though I paid for it, I was quite impressed with how they worked and the psychiatrist who assessed me. I hope you enjoy your new certainty, I know I did and still do.

Congratulations. I'm so glad this has finally finished for you and I'm sorry they messed you about so much. I've heard good things about Loop ear plugs and I hope they help you. Are you expecting to have a discussion with your GP about the diagnosis?

Hello, and apologies for the really late reply. A few days after the messed up appointment following a two year wait, they referred me to Psychiatry UK because the waiting times were outrageous and the NHS is clearly trying to catch up by outsourcing ASD assessments. Only a few weeks after that, I had a video call appointment at the end of which I was given my autism diagnosis right away. About a week later I had a copy of the letter they sent to my GP with the official diagnosis. Now to research how to help myself cope with anxiety and social situations I have already purchased a pair of Loop ear plugs hoping that they will hope in noisy and busy situations such as a social outing or lunch at work etc.

At least try contacting them. They have messed up here. Either something was improperly documented or a failure of communication has occurred. Being in limbo like this is bad enough, let alone having to deal with the false ending here. PALs should know, if only so that this can be flagged if it also happens to someone else using this service. And they also should have been able to tell you if you would be on the waiting list as from your first triage, or this second one. 

On top of this, Aspergers is no longer a term used for diagnosis by the NHS, so that was also a bit weird, although I understand some professionals are taking a little longer to adjust.

If not for yourself (and it may also help prevent them from messing you up like this again) then consider contacting PALs for the other people who may end up facing this situation, which should never have happened in the first place.

You think so? I’m still on the waiting list but i have no idea for how much longer. It does feel like i keep starting all over again though.

I am horrified that you have had to deal with this. Have you considered contacting Pals? I think this would definitely warrant it. 

So they messed up. I had an initial appointment on the phone two years ago after which they put me on the waiting list for a diagnosis. Today was the initial assessment again, not with an ASD specialist at all. All they were going to do was put me on the waiting list. I burst into tears when I realised this wasn’t going anywhere.

They said based on my AQ score I probably have Aspergers, and to start looking into support options and advice as even with a diagnosis there wouldn’t be any support or guidance through the NHS. They then called me a few hours later to confirm I was indeed already on the waiting list since two years ago but couldn’t tell me how much longer I would have to wait.

I’m considering going private, I can’t cope with the wait and the unknown, would you recommend going private?

So they messed up. I had an initial appointment on the phone two years ago after which they put me on the waiting list for a diagnosis. Today was the initial assessment again, not with an ASD specialist at all. All they were going to do was put me on the waiting list. I burst into tears when I realised this wasn’t going anywhere.

They said based on my AQ score I probably have Aspergers, and to start looking into support options and advice as even with a diagnosis there wouldn’t be any support or guidance through the NHS. They then called me a few hours later to confirm I was indeed already on the waiting list since two years ago but couldn’t tell me how much longer I would have to wait.

I’m considering going private, I can’t cope with the wait and the unknown, would you recommend going private?

Yes, I know the feeling, "I don't think I'm autistic enough". Then something happens, and suddenly you know full well that you are definitely not neurotypical.

I was also impressed with the psychiatrist who assessed me. It was the first time I felt really taken seriously and understood throughout this entire process.

Ironically now that I have my diagnosis I feel less certain that I have autism haha I've heard it can happen, imposter syndrome type thing. I'm also currently off work looking after my toddler but I'm sure as soon as I get back into work life all my triggers will kick back in.

I'm not sure there's much my GP can do, I think I need to research more about how to help myself and various strategies and coping mechanisms other people with autism use. Do you think my GP could be helpful?

I was diagnosed by Psychiatry UK, though I paid for it, I was quite impressed with how they worked and the psychiatrist who assessed me. I hope you enjoy your new certainty, I know I did and still do.

Congratulations. I'm so glad this has finally finished for you and I'm sorry they messed you about so much. I've heard good things about Loop ear plugs and I hope they help you. Are you expecting to have a discussion with your GP about the diagnosis?

Hello, and apologies for the really late reply. A few days after the messed up appointment following a two year wait, they referred me to Psychiatry UK because the waiting times were outrageous and the NHS is clearly trying to catch up by outsourcing ASD assessments. Only a few weeks after that, I had a video call appointment at the end of which I was given my autism diagnosis right away. About a week later I had a copy of the letter they sent to my GP with the official diagnosis. Now to research how to help myself cope with anxiety and social situations I have already purchased a pair of Loop ear plugs hoping that they will hope in noisy and busy situations such as a social outing or lunch at work etc.

At least try contacting them. They have messed up here. Either something was improperly documented or a failure of communication has occurred. Being in limbo like this is bad enough, let alone having to deal with the false ending here. PALs should know, if only so that this can be flagged if it also happens to someone else using this service. And they also should have been able to tell you if you would be on the waiting list as from your first triage, or this second one. 

On top of this, Aspergers is no longer a term used for diagnosis by the NHS, so that was also a bit weird, although I understand some professionals are taking a little longer to adjust.

If not for yourself (and it may also help prevent them from messing you up like this again) then consider contacting PALs for the other people who may end up facing this situation, which should never have happened in the first place.

You think so? I’m still on the waiting list but i have no idea for how much longer. It does feel like i keep starting all over again though.

I am horrified that you have had to deal with this. Have you considered contacting Pals? I think this would definitely warrant it.