Hi there, I am an adult who has recently (this year) received a diagnosis of ADHD and I am also autistic. Through my journey, it has become clear (to us at least) that my mum is also neurodiverse. We went to the doctor's the other day to talk with them about getting a referral for ADHD and autism for her. She is nearly 70, but for her, it doesn't matter about her age, it is a footnote that would put things into perspective and explain so much about her life - especially as a woman these struggles have often been overlooked.
The GP says that there needs to be some proof before the age of 12 ( from my own diagnostic process I know that these symptoms have to be present in childhood) and that if she submits for a referral they need to have a school report or they will reject it. For my mum, given her age and the fact that both her parents are deceased, this is a bit of an issue. Also, there was little or no understanding of these conditions in the school environment in the 60s. After the appointment we managed to come across a school report from her secondary school that did say she was "very talkative....inattentive...lazy etc", so we can try again with the GP with that as some initial proof but everything else has been lost or destroyed.
Personally, I was only referred over the summer and just had to fill in a screener, and then I was referred to the community mental health team for subsequent meetings, a DIVA form questionnaire, and a diagnosis of ADHD/autism. I didn't need any proof, although my mum came with me to the meetings and was able to talk about my younger years etc - but nothing at the initial referral level. So because my recent experience was very different I questioned the GP and she said this is a recent change, but I can't find any information about that.
I just wondered if there had been a change in the NHS adult referral process in the few short months since I began my ADHD/autism journey if the GP was just ill-informed, or perhaps at worst not wanting to refer my mum due to her age.
Can anybody advise?
