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Assessment help?

NAS80386

I spoke to a GP practitioner a month ago to try and get an assessment. I've just heard back from him saying the Autism Assessment service has looked at my answers and do not think I need an assessment, and if I would like to I can go private for this. The thing is the GP I talked to had never done this before.

He looked at my mental health history and said it just sounds like anxiety. He just asked me if I got anxious in social situations and what my relationship with my parents were.

I've looked into characteristics of females with aspergers and I feel like I ha e so many of the traits. But after hearing back from them I am now doubting myself.

As a child I had weird specific interests

As a kid I was particular about what I wore because I found certain materials scratchy and uncomfortable

I hate people being close or touching me, the only one I allow near is my husband

I am sensitive to sound and often hear things others don't

I notice small detail in things

I have trouble if someone gives me instructions that are more than a couple of steps at a time

I hate talking in crowds but one on one I can talk to someone about something that interests me.

I find small talk hard and difficult to keep conversations going

I hate bright light and very bright sunshine

Eye contact with people feels uncomfortable so I often look at people's mouths when they talk to me or I look away

The GP asked me nothing about this.

  • I would ask to speak to another GP and express your concerns. You could possibly put this in writing and explain why you think you might be autistic. The traits you list here fit very closely with autism. You shouldn’t have to pay privately to get a diagnosis, which is what this GP is pushing you to do. Of course you CAN - if you have the money to pay it will certainly be quicker - but you really shouldn’t have to do this. 
    I wouldn’t just accept what this GP has said to you if you feel confident that it is wrong, 

    good luck ! 

  • Hi, well done you for being open to curiosity, vulnerability and prepared to go on a journey of self discovery. That takes courage. I am new to looking at autism, in my partner, which is challenging, it’s not about labels, but trying to understand behaviours and expectations.  I was married to him for 30 years, and was continually confused and baffled, not knowing what was playing out.  We did seek help, yet kind of got no where, we usually went as it was me with issues, of course. So, I feel it is difficult to find the right help.  I so wished to help my ex, for now it’s about me gaining understanding.  So I just joined this group.

  • Hi there,

    It is such a confusing time. I am waiting for an assessment so not diagnosed or anything, but I just want to say that you're not alone. I think you know deep down that you're onto something, so don't let this set you back. Can you speak to the Autism Assessment service directly? It really helps to have as much written down as you can, including how your life is affected. I did this once I realised I have all characteristics of ADHD, and wrote a long letter to my GP to pass onto the psychiatric team when asking to be assessed.

    Don't give up. Life is hard, and having answers  makes dealing with things that much easier. I'm still expecting to be told I don't have either! But apparently imposter syndrome is very common.

    Good luck with it all, if you need to chat feel free to message me.

    :) 

  • in reply to NAS80386

    Well that's insufficient. Good luck getting a second GP appointment, I hope it gets sorted out soon.

  • in reply to Fibonacci Squid

    I spoke to the GP over the phone. He told me he had never done an assessment for autism before, and that when he got off the phone to me he would talk to a colleague and find out how to do it. He and the other doctor must have filled out the form and sent it off.

    I will try and get a second appointment with a different GP, it's so hard to see one face to face at the moment.

  • in reply to NAS80386

    Were you the one to fill in the form for the autism assessment people or was it your GP?

    I think you should try and talk to a second GP to get a second opinion because knowledge and understanding about autism is very varied in healthcare.

  • in reply to Fibonacci Squid

    Hi thank you,

    I think I did mention my work actually, that was the catalyst for me getting in touch with the GP.

    I had got a job at Next but had to quit after 2 months. I mentioned to him I found the change in my daily routine hard. That at first speaking to customers was hard until I watched what other staff said to customers. And if I went off my scrip in my head I didn't know what to say. That the managers kept telling me to engage more with customers and also I found not knowing if they would change the hours I worked last minute was making me anxious.

    I ended up leaving because when I wasn't in work or was waiting to go into work I would end up just sitting for hours not doing anything. I knew that it was affecting me mentally

  • Ask to see another GP, write this down, shove it in the GPs face and get them to read it. 

    Also for an assessment you need to say how your issues are materially affecting you in work, education, mental health, or interpersonal relationships, so make a list of those things and bring it to the appointment too.