Published on 12, July, 2020
I (37f) went to see my GP today for a sick line. I am struggling with the demands of work at the moment. I am currently undertaking a private assessment for ASD after years of social difficulties and mental health issues. I asked the Dr while I was there if she would accept a private diagnosis. The (short) conversation ended in her saying if I had held down a job and a relationship I was not autistic.
This has absolutely baffled me and seems a bit short sighted! I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts?
While I realize that doctors do not know everything which is why there are specialists, but I did realize that in regards to autism, their knowledge in general seems very limiting. The doctor who I saw to ask if I was on the spectrum who I am greatful for, so I don't want to criticize, but I realized that she didn't know what shutdowns were.
Is not just doctors. School teachers do not have a clue as when I was first out on the assessment list we visited someone my Mum knows and his wife is a teacher in a secondary school with 2000 pupils. When it was mentioned I was waiting to be assessed she said "You're not autistic. No way! You're not in a wheelchair!"
Now she was an intelligent woman who must have taught a large number of pupils and I was wondering how many pupils she must have taught who were on the spectrum and she didn't know, and at least half would not know themselves!
Having the same problem with my son’s primary school, he’s year 4. Teachers, wellbeing officer and Send team won’t admit anything is wrong. He masks a lot bless him and it wipes him out every day. I have a meeting with all of them in March. I am attempting to educate them on masking and the after effects, I’m also going all guns blazing to get some agreement to support. They have been so clueless