I've been given a non-diagnosis by HEALIOS, what do I do now?

Hi 

I'm a 24 year old cis-female. I was referred to Healios by my GP for ASD assessment after asking for an ADHD assessment (still on NHS waiting list). 

Process was very quick from referral to the final report but I was given no diagnosis for ASD. I scored more than triple the threshold on the RAADS-R screening but hit non of the markers for the DSM-5. This is incredibly frustrating and now I feel like I'm back to square one.

I was unable to speak to my parents or use them as informants as I'm no contact with them. 

I had an appointment with Healios on Tuesday to discuss the outcome of my assessment. 

My assessor told me that although I show a lot of autistic traits and scored 204 on the RAADS-R screening, I hit none of the markers for the DSM-5. She told me that my experiences in childhood and adolescence (neglectful & abusive parents, moving during adolescence, abusive and manipulative relationships, being 'quirky') could be a cause of my current behaviours and traits, and while I don't disagree that I hold a lot of unresolved trauma, I don't necessarily agree that I'm not autistic. She also told me that my experiences point towards ADHD and she's mentioned this in my report to pass on to the ND team I'm working with. 

I told her that I feel that I'm so efficient at masking that I've become a hindrance to myself. 

I understand co-morbidities and similarities between ASD and ADHD but I just feel like I've slipped through the net. 

Parents
  • Sounds like either they missed your diagnosis or trauma plus ADHD might be your true explanation.

    Trouble is autistic people can be more vulnerable to early trauma and that can tangle the picture for the assessors. Also they may have been missing some information.

    I guess options are wait and see what they say at your ADHD assessment. Let them know that you are concerned something may have been missed.

    Get a second opinion on the ASC as a double check. Your only option might be private for that though.

Reply
  • Sounds like either they missed your diagnosis or trauma plus ADHD might be your true explanation.

    Trouble is autistic people can be more vulnerable to early trauma and that can tangle the picture for the assessors. Also they may have been missing some information.

    I guess options are wait and see what they say at your ADHD assessment. Let them know that you are concerned something may have been missed.

    Get a second opinion on the ASC as a double check. Your only option might be private for that though.

Children
  • Hi Dawn,

    I truly am of the belief that I'm autistic and have ADHD. I think trauma is a factor too but I'm definitely going to wait for my ADHD assessment then ask for a second opinion on my ASD outcome! X