Published on 12, July, 2020
Good morning everyone,
It's my first time posting here. I have been coming here for long time now but I have never managed to post anything at all. I really need some advice/ help, please?
I am nearly 30 years old woman. I have 5 years old daughter. For 1 and a half year I have been asking for ASD assessment. I struggle very much, just slowly coming out of crisis now. I have long history of going to orthopaedics, neurologists, psychologist, counsellors from early childhood. I suffer from anxiety, depression and complex post traumatic stress disorder. I self-harm from young age. I have tried to take my own life several times. I am under the care of CMHT for a while now. I have been sent between professionals regarding the ASD diagnosis. First nobody knew who can diagnose adult women in my county. It turned out that place which diagnosed me with c-PTSD diagnose ASD in my county but they have discharged me and sent me to CMHT because they are not trained enough to deal with my c-PTSD. The CMHT took me on and offered some sessions with them which didn't help, I am afraid. In the meantime one private counsellor suggested possible ASD. She sent a letter to my GP asking for assesment in March 2022. Since then I am being pushed backwards and forwards between professionals. The CMHT say they are not specialised in ASD assessments and they don't know who does. They have sent me to the GP. The GP made a referral but I have just received a letter yesterday stating that they can't accept the referral because I am under the care of CMHT and the assessment should be sought from their side. They say that my referral was carefully assessed and they are confident I show high number of autistic traits but they cannot accept my referral because I am under the CMHT care. From what I know they are the only professionals who do the assessment within NHS in my area. It is very long story and I struggle to put it into words/explain it all but I am in this sort of situation for 1 and a half year now. I don't know how to deal with that anymore. I don't have any family who can support me. My parents died years ago. My situation is complicated. I am single mother and I am solely responsible for my daughter. My last suicide attempt was in June 2023 and I have a social worker involved . (I struggled even to take my daughter to school and bring her back - that's one of many examples how I struggle with day to day life and responsibilities). I don't know what to do anymore with this assessment. Should I just give it all up?
I would really appreciate if anyone can offer any advice for the situation please.
Many many thanks in advance for any information and support.
Thank you.
Oh thank , you DA and lain for your answers. I really really appreciate your help. Thank you very much. The GP referred me for autism spectrum disorder assessment, after long time me being sent from one professional to another.
I will write here the letter I have received from them as a response for my referral:
' Thank you for your referral of the above individual to our Adult Autism Assessment Service. This has since been carefully screened by our team. We note, from the information provided in support of this referral, that they are currently receiving support from their Local Integrated Community Mental Health Team ( ICMHT).
Unfortunately, our service is not commissioned to provide autism assessment for people who are already under the care of their ICMHT. This is because it is believed that the ICMHT may consider assessment of autism themselves, as part of their own assessment and care offer, if it is deemed to be clinically relevant.
The referral information that we have received does appear to suggest that the above patient may identify with a high number of the traits and features common to autism. Therefore, we would recommend that this request for autism assessment is discussed further with their local ICMHT. You may wish to forward a copy of this letter for their information, in support of your referral.
We are therefore not taking any further action with this referral ourselves and will now close this patient to our service. '
And now I am stuck. I have no idea what will happen next and what am I supposed to do with it? I struggle to talk to them. Whenever possible I communicate with people by live chat, email, text messages because it's least stressful and easiest way for me to communicate. I am aware that waiting lists for ASD assessment are very long but I am not even on that waiting list. Because professionals try to fight between themselves who should take the responsibility of that. For 1,5 years now. When I clearly need help. I don't blame anyone. I understand they have their hand full of work and patients. I don't know. It's all mess.
I am sorry for moaning.
And thank you very much for your messages. Gratefully appreciate it.
Nana1318 said:Unfortunately, our service is not commissioned to provide autism assessment for people who are already under the care of their ICMHT. This is because it is believed that the ICMHT may consider assessment of autism themselves, as part of their own assessment and care offer, if it is deemed to be clinically relevant.
You will need to get the ICMHT to respond to this in writing (ie forward it to them as they are described as responsible by your GP) - tell them you need the response before you begin legal proceedings and see what they say.
You have a difficult challenge but by keeping correspondence in writing you are avoiding the stress of a face to face meeting and building evidence for legal proceedings.
It seems there is no way forward as it stands so this threat then any follow up from an autism friendly lawyer would be how I would approach it.