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!
" That's quite alright ... you don't look like an idiot, but you obviously are ... "