Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello everyone!
I only recently (about a year ago) found out I may be Autistic (very highly likely) and I went to my doctors to get a referral so I could finally stop invalidating my own feelings on whether or not I am Autistic, and he said they could not do it because they don't have the facilities. He then fobbed me off to the mental health nurse for Anxiety (typical as I am a woman), and when I spoke to her she was adamant that I should contact the National Autistic Society because she is certain I am Autistic. There seems to be no diagnosis facilities either in my area or in Scotland as a whole unless I go private which I cannot afford to do. I have looked up how easy it is to get diagnosed just over the border in Carlisle where I used to stay and I could get an appointment asap but only if I lived there. I am in desperate need of some advice on where I can go or what I can do to get a diagnosis in Scotland (I can specify where I live but would rather do that privately for obvious reasons) because I am at a loss. I need it in order to validate my own feelings, for PIP so I have valid proof and for volunteering and my uni courses so I can actually get the support I need. Any advice is helpful, and I am super grateful for the help.
Autumn (Forestfairy)
Hi,
Not sure where you are in Scotland but you can self refer if in Grampian (google 'Adult Autism Assessment Team NHS Grampian' and you will get a link, i believe its around 2 years wait though.
University in Scotland and other Scottish public bodies are supposed to treat people who are waiting for diagnosis as if they have Autism.
Unfortunately there is very little after diagnosis support in Scotland, Autism Understanding Scotland were supplying Support groups but again that's only available in Aberdeen, City & Shire, Moray + Shetland
I'm in the south west (Dumfries and Galloway area) so a little too far from there unfortunately, but I appreciate the help!
It seems like Scotland is lagging behind in any support and diagnosis facilities compared to England, all my friends got their diagnosis with ease in Cumbria and I just feel like I'm being fobbed off by every GP I try to talk to about it
I understand the public bodies having to treat people waiting for their diagnosis as if they have Autism, but they asked for proof before giving support and since I don't have any, it's sort of out of their and my hands. It sucks because if I do need extra support on my course, I am going to lag behind because I can't get proof since my GP is terrible!
Hopefully I can find somewhere that will do it eventually