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My assessment deemed I am not autistic, feel it was wrong

NAS83039

I had an assessment for autism around 2.5 years ago and the outcome was that I am not autistic. However, I feel like I relate so much to the information on line in particular around difficulties interacting, scripting conversations, and just feeling 'different' to everyone else. However, I feel like in my assessment I masked (although I still don't really understand what masking is aside from trying to fit in with people around me... but I am not sure exactly what I do / say to do this) and overemphasised social anxiety feelings/symptoms and didnt advocate for myself. 

I am not sure what to do now as I am really struggling with anxiety but feel like this is due to not being able to be my authentic self - and I do not understand who that is. Is it possible to try and get another diagnosis? (I expect not) - or would it be worth trying to get some therapy/counselling on the basis of autism? or should I trust that the (non)-diagnosis was correct? I have in the past few months been diagnosed with ADHD (aged 32, female) and do think I have this, but I do not feel that it is *everything*...

Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks

Parents

  • It *IS* possible to get a second assessment. I was originally diagnosed as not autistic. After many years, I realised that I was on the spectrum and managed to get reassessed and diagnosed.

    I did a LOT of research about autism and made a long list of autistic traits that I have. I took this with me to the psychiatric assessment and made sure that the psychiatrist saw it. That will take time, though, as you'll have to go on the waiting list again. It might be helpful to look at the report from the first assessment and see what they thought did/didn't fit with an autism diagnosis.

    If you're feeling anxious, you may be able to get some anxiety counselling or therapy. If it's unstructured, then you can really talk about whatever you want. It may be helpful to explore that first while you do the autism research. It's not always easy to get this on the NHS, though, which tries to push people into more structured CBT.

Reply

  • It *IS* possible to get a second assessment. I was originally diagnosed as not autistic. After many years, I realised that I was on the spectrum and managed to get reassessed and diagnosed.

    I did a LOT of research about autism and made a long list of autistic traits that I have. I took this with me to the psychiatric assessment and made sure that the psychiatrist saw it. That will take time, though, as you'll have to go on the waiting list again. It might be helpful to look at the report from the first assessment and see what they thought did/didn't fit with an autism diagnosis.

    If you're feeling anxious, you may be able to get some anxiety counselling or therapy. If it's unstructured, then you can really talk about whatever you want. It may be helpful to explore that first while you do the autism research. It's not always easy to get this on the NHS, though, which tries to push people into more structured CBT.

Children
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