Assessment next week

So in hindsight it would definitely have been a good idea to prepare. The assessor spent the first hour asking me about routines and flexibility and kept saying "it doesn't seem like this is a big deal for you" because in answering her questions I said I don't always wake up or have breakfast at exactly the same time. Later in the assessment, after she'd basically given up on that section, she mentioned things like eating out (which I would never consider doing because I like to eat exactly the same foods every day) and holidays (I don't go on holidays because I don't like being out of my regular routine or environment). If I'd prepared a list in advance of how the need for sameness affects my life I could have made sure I told her those things early on rather than her getting the impression I was basically a normal person and then having to correct it later. The assessment went well over the predicted time due to this misunderstanding.

I feel bad for wasting so much of her time but they did only give me four days notice of the assessment.

So in hindsight it would definitely have been a good idea to prepare. The assessor spent the first hour asking me about routines and flexibility and kept saying "it doesn't seem like this is a big deal for you" because in answering her questions I said I don't always wake up or have breakfast at exactly the same time. Later in the assessment, after she'd basically given up on that section, she mentioned things like eating out (which I would never consider doing because I like to eat exactly the same foods every day) and holidays (I don't go on holidays because I don't like being out of my regular routine or environment). If I'd prepared a list in advance of how the need for sameness affects my life I could have made sure I told her those things early on rather than her getting the impression I was basically a normal person and then having to correct it later. The assessment went well over the predicted time due to this misunderstanding.

I feel bad for wasting so much of her time but they did only give me four days notice of the assessment.

Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience. I'm assuming by the nature of your comment that you were not diagnosed as having ASD.

Its difficult to provide an objective response to you, but from my own experience this week I would say that the lack of notice wouldn't or shouldn't have affected the outcome. I was also give short notice - under a week and for me that worked well. Had it been weeks / months notice I think that I would have been more anxious for a longer period of time.

What I did find helpful was the months of research that I couldn't help but do - just to get an idea of what to expect. I didn't create a script or plan in my head beforehand, I promised to myself that I would simply be myself on the day and not try to0 second guess what questions I would be asked by the assessor.
Yes, I had an awareness of the various ADOS exercises to expect, but did not think about how I would approach them on the day. I knew that there was pretty good chance several of the following would come up...

• Shapes - I didn't know what the shapes would be nor did I plan what I would do with them
• The Map - Yes I knew what the map was, but didn't think about what I would say about it
• THAT BOOK - Now this one did worry me, but I just acted like my usual analytical self
• Describe an activity - I was expecting (hoping) that it would be how to make a cup of tea (I'd certainly "go to town" on that one! However, I got teeth brushing which threw me a little

You said tat your assessment went well over the predicted time, but didn't mention how long it was expected to take. Was that your expectation or did the assessor tell you how long the expected it to take? My assessment was 2 1/2 hours from start to finish which included a 10 minute break between the first part and the ADOS, and then 30 minutes after the diagnosis for Q&A and the like.

There is no need to feel bad about wasting time. It was clearly identified that an assessment was needed (we all know that it can be difficult getting past the initial acceptance for an assessment referral). Not every person assessed is going to be diagnosed as having ASD.

What are your plans now? Has anyone given you any indication of what happens next?

Gary