I had my assessment two weeks ago and my husband is to be ‘interviewed’ next week. What happens if the answer is no? No….you’re not autistic. At the age of 69, where does that leave me? I’m getting so stressed about this.
I had my assessment two weeks ago and my husband is to be ‘interviewed’ next week. What happens if the answer is no? No….you’re not autistic. At the age of 69, where does that leave me? I’m getting so stressed about this.
I know. It would just be another chance to correct the mistakes of the first assessment, if it happens to come to the wrong conclusion.
A private assessment doesn't automatically diagnose you as autistic just because you have paid for it. What it might do is give you a more in depth assessment or enable you to be assessed sooner
I think I’m worried that my husband might say something in his interview that might negate my experience of life.
Wow…. So many replies. Thank you very much.
For it to be ‘real’ in my head though it has to be a formal diagnosis…. I think it’s the only way my family will accept it.
That’s not decrying at all people who self diagnose. Having now read extensively about autism I seem to fit in.
We do have a good community support group in my area but I’m not sure I’d go to it without the formal recognition.
Again, my very grateful thanks for your helpful replies. I’m going to watching the BBC 2 programme tonight to see if that sheds any further light onto how autistic brains work.
I'm in a similar position to Gilly and this is what I plan to do. One of my assessors raised the possibility of dyspraxia with me already so I suspect that's where I'm headed next if I get a no for autism, but I'm definitely going to ask if they don't mention that again.
Yes this forum is the best place I've found. You may be lucky and have a community support group in your area.
Theoretically, if they say no you're not autistic they are supposed to suggest an alternative explanation because in order to get to this stage something needs to have been having a substantial impact on your life and then refer you further to other in their opinion more appropriate services. I've heard of people being referred to ADHD services for example at this point.
If they say no and don't automatically do this, I'd recommend saying 'well what do you think is going on then?'
Personally, if my NHS assessment says I'm not autistic, I intend to continue to call myself autistic, continue to go to the autistic groups I've joined, and continue to live my life as an autistic person because it's working for me. I used to have meltdowns every week and hardly ever do now I've changed my lifestyle to accommodate my autism. Depending on cost I might pursue private diagnosis so I have it on paper in case I need accommodations in future.
I know I'm autistic. It's possible that I won't be able to communicate well enough with the assessor to convince them of that (story of my life when seeking healthcare) but that doesn't mean my autism isn't real.
I meant things like this forum and other community support. I don’t really expect anything from govt.
As you've had the assessment then that's the hard part over with. There is nothing else you can do now to change the outcome.
Perhaps you could try and get absorbed in something you're interested in an attempt to distract yourself from worrying about it.
I recall I was the same around the time of my assessment. Once I reached the top of the waiting list it was still a long drawn out process, with the various diagnostic appointments taking place over several months. I had no confidence in what the outcome would be and found myself so stressed if I thought about it. Thankfully I did get the formal diagnosis.
There is lots of support whether you have a diagnosis or not it seems (I hope I’m right).
I'm really not sure if you're joking. If that is your genuine belief then I'm sorry to break it to you but in many areas there is no support available for autistic adults, with or without a diagnosis.
I haven’t got any answers but I just wanted to say that I feel the same. I’ve only just asked to go on the waiting list so according to my psychologist, I could be waiting for 3 years for the assessment.
I can’t imagine waiting that long and being told no but in the meantime I will lurk in these forums and see if I can glean some useful techniques and insights into why my mind causes me so many issues.
There is lots of support whether you have a diagnosis or not it seems (I hope I’m right).
Thank you to you both for answering. I’m just getting so anxious about it all.
As Sparkly said, even a "Yes" is more about self-understanding than external help, but even with a "No," it is possible to get a second opinion and get diagnosed (this happened to me, very long story). Try not to worry about it, but take comfort in the fact that pretty much everyone has these fears in the assessment period.
This probably won't help, but...
If the answer is "Yes", then it's debatable as to whether anything will change for you. You'll just be a person with a formal diagnosis of Autism.
If the answer is "No" and you disagree, there is nothing to stop you from self-identifying as Autistic.
I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry too much about what the outcome may or may not be.
