Published on 12, July, 2020
I recently went to my GP and they put in a referral for an adult autism assessment. The referral was rejected. Stating insufficient information. Needing more information of significant clinical impact in childhood and adulthood. They suggested neurodiversity, which isn't really meaningful on its own?
I can try and give them more information. But now it feels like I'd be trying to tick boxes. But I feel like a fraud relating to autism and trying to access resources without a formal diagnosis. and find it exhausting having to detail all these things that are just who I am.
I have a CAT Q score of 116.
AQ of 36.
RAADS of 122.
Do I persue this further?
Last year I spoke with my GP about my mental health and that I though that there was a chance that I am autistic.
My GP emailed me a self referral form and told me that I should complete it myself - no assistance was offered, so I left it as I was (and still am) dealing with a lot of health issues and didn't have the time or the energy to complete the form on my own.
I then had some involvements with the local mental health hospital and the subject of an autism assessment came up. I was supposed to have been helped / guided by a mental health person to complete the form together. It seemed as if it was the first time that the support person had seen the form and wasn't of any help whatsoever. Still, we filled in the form which was then rejected by the hospital's ASD team.
A few months later (and more mental health issues), I was assigned a different support person who was great. We went through the form again and this time it was accepted.
To the OP - it may be worthwhile reaching out to your local mental health services to see if they can assist with understanding the questions and answering them appropriately. Looking back, I think that I had answered the questions is a kind of masking way and that is why it was rejected.
I hope that helps.
Hi there,
I had the same situation. Just been to the drs with more info. He is sending the referral off again. He told me we're all on the spectrum, which just usn't true.
Yes you will need to providence evidence that you have been effected throughout your life ie. One of my accessors said if someone came and said ‘from the age of 18 I’ve struggled with x, y and x’ they’re not autistic but potentially have another condition ie mental health etc so maybe they need more info on your struggling consistently with the diagnostic areas from younger age or you probably are not autistic but may need another area investigating if you wish
NAS89717 said:Do I persue this further?
If you think you have autism then yes. What would a diagnosis mean for you?
NAS89717 said:Needing more information of significant clinical impact in childhood and adulthood
Do you have any impacts in childhood or adulthood? I think the diagnostic criteria in both the DSM-5 and the ICD-11 require that the social deficits or repetitive behaviours negatively impact your ability to function in some aspect(s) of your life (personal, family, social, educational, occupational). If you have had such difficulties, describe these to the doctor.
Don’t feel like a fraud, everyone is undiagnosed at some point! X
If you feel you could be autistic and wish for it to be investigated then pursue it, could I ask why you feel you need an assessment?