Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi, this is my first post.
How does anyone approach their GP about how to get diagnosed? I am only wondering because a few years ago while I was expecting a baby my midwife at the time reported me to social services for signs of me being autistic. At the time, I was frustrated and then as years went by I thought more about what the midwife said and thought she may be right. I did a few tests and they say I am very likely to be autistic. I would like to know for my own sake and peace of mind.
I just don't know how to approach the GP about it. Where I come from I don't see a regular GP/family GP who knows my medical history. I get really anxious to speak to someone and get really muddled. I want to find the right words when I finally pluck up the courage to speak to my GP just don't know what to say or how. Has anyone had experience of this?
Thanks
As my diagnosis was during covid times I did not see my GP face to face. I put together a long letter with evidence about how I felt I was Autistic, including screenshots of diangnostics tests I had done online. I also included some aspects of my history which I felt were linked to Autism.I also included a section on freedom of choice and that I could be referred to a private diagnostic service via the NHS (this got me a referral VERY quickly).
I was then sent the official NHS tests for AD and ADHD, which I competed and sent back.
I had a referral to a private diagnostic service, provided by the NHS, and had a 1 hour interview via zoom with a psychologist. She then wrote her report for a psychiatrist, with whom I had a 1.5 hour zoom interview. He then wrote a report which confirmed the diagnosis of Autism.
Then the fun began of trying to get my work to recognise isses I;d been having were Autism related and make reasonable adjustments. Over a year on I;m still trying to get the reasonable adjustments which were agreed put in place - via a grievance and union support.
Hi,
I was diagnosed recently in my late forties. I had finally plucked up the courage to seek diagnosis (confirmation) of my ASD and went online to book an appointment with my GP when I happened across a self-referral option to a local Adult Autism Team.
It took about 18 months all told but I finally found out more about who I am in that time than the many years before.
Have a search under your local health authority for self-referral or book an appointment with your GP and take notes with you to back up why you want a referral.
I went to my GP in 2020 after self diagnosing. It was a random GP I got but she was young and knew what I was talking about. Go and talk to them and be very to the point and don't mask, tell it as it is, even if you have told nobody else before. The bad news is the long wait for a full diagnosis, I am still waiting. Once refered you should get some information on wait times but ask your GP about 'NHS Choices'. They don't like to advertise this but it means they can fund you seeing a private company paid for by the NHS that will take years off the wait.
Your GP will probably go through the shorter AQ-10 during a 10 minute appointment.
Current NICE guidelines state:
For adults with possible autism who do not have a moderate or severe learning disability, consider using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient – 10 items (AQ-10). (If a person has reading difficulties, read out the AQ-10.) If a person scores 6 or above on the AQ-10, or autism is suspected based on clinical judgement (taking into account any past history provided by an informant), offer a comprehensive assessment for autism.
You can find lots of further tests online, including the AQ-50 and the RAADS-R. You can print off the results of these to take with you. It might also help if you can think of some real life examples to support the answers you have provided in the online tests.
https://embrace-autism.com/
Don't worry about your ability to verbally communicate failing. If anything that adds weight to you needing an autism assessment. As already suggested write down as much as you can in advance and you can show that even if you can't communicate it verbally.
Hi, if you are in England you can book an appointment with your GP through the NHS app. I did this as I struggle with telephones. Explain what you have just posted, make a list of how autism affects you and anything else you think is relevant. I chose a face to face appointment as I find zoom appointments cause anxiety for me. You will most probably be given an AQ50 test to complete, maybe do one online and take the results with you.
I got diagnosed as an adult. It literally just started with me making an appointment with a GP like I would about any other medical issue. After a very short appointment, the GP referred me to the local mental health trust. They then did an initial screening assessment. That then led to a long wait before I was referred to specialist assessors. It's a long process, but I'm glad I did it, it was worth sticking with, and the first step should be relatively straightforward - make an appointment with your GP and tell them the reasons why you think you may be autistic. It won't be a long or detailed appointment, you just need to get across to your GP why you think you may be autistic. You may find it helpful to write them down in advance.