Published on 12, July, 2020
I'm currently waiting for an assessment. I'm trying to keep a diary of my feelings, emotions and reactions to situations I find difficult or when people have to help me through situations. Today I was trying to read some instructions, this is a task I find highly stressful. I struggle to take in the information so when I've read a sentence and moved on I have forgotten what I read previously. I get more angry at myself, then I start fidgeting, pacing around then I start shouting and swearing at the instructions, I get more upset and start crying. Them I'm in such a state I don't know what to do I'm angry and crying. Eventually, when I can no longer cope, I call my mum who knows exactly what I need, after all she has had to do this most of my life. A calm voice, talking quietly, reassuring me it's not a big issue and then talks to me about how we can resolve the problem. Is this a meltdown?
I really need this assessmen sooner than 3 years.. Is there a way to get to the top of the list or is it really just a waiting game. I need help with whatever is happening to me whether it's autism or not. I can't wait three years. I've looked at the option of going to gp but the only option to getting seen sooner that I can find is an assessment via zoom, which I don't feel comfortable with. Any help would be appreciated.
yes, the way to get seen right away is to pay private.nhs though, you will be waiting for eternity with them.... seriously, it took 3 years just for them to send my referal before you even factor in any ques
You could try asking to be referred to a clinic outside the NHS board you're in - to the Lorna Wing national autistic society clinic in the south of England for example.
It depends on your health board really. Sadly, many teams are trying to see as many people as they can but are underresourced so physically can't take on any more patients. I used to get very frustrated about the wait, until I met my autism team at the end of the wait and saw how little resources they really had. They really were doing their best.
I had to wait over a year for NHS assessment but it was the highest quality and done with real expertise. It's really tough, I won't play that down, but almost everyone I know who has autism had to wait as long as me.
The only exception to that rule was a friend of mine who was very unwell with multiple mental health issues so she was prioritised. As far as I know, unless you also are very unwell you cannot skip the line.