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Newly Assessed - Any advice?

martintheactor

I've lurked here for a while. And yesterday after over two years waiting for an assessment I had it. The psychiatrist has said I am Level 2 Autistic. I'll be honest it's something it's always something I've either been told, or considered. It was only after massive burnout that I finally thought maybe some of the experiences I have had could do with context. Was I struggling because autistic, or because I'm just odd...or both!

It'll be somewhere around 4-8 weeks from what I've read on Psychaitry UK's website to get the paperwork and such, but I bluntly asked the assessor yesterday when I can consider it a formal diagnosis. He told me then and there. 

Twenty-three hours after the assessment now and I kinda don't know how to process it all. So I guess I'm asking what advice people might have?

For context I'm late 30s, have struggled with burnout on and off, but did manage to get my BA, Masters and even a teaching qualification. I've mostly been self employed, but the latest burnout has me now unemployed. I've for the first time been trying to take that break and I guess work through health issues construstively.

Thanks in advance folks.

Parents
  • martintheactor said:
    Part of me feels like I need to be patient. Like will the report the psychaitrist write detail areas I can look to improve on.

    From my and others' experiences of being assessed and diagnosed by private providers (whether directly as a private patient or via Right to Choose (RTC)), I should flag that ongoing support beyond the point of diagnosis might not be offered as seamlessly as it should be - or sometimes even at all - compared to the NHS pathway. So, just by way of warning, it might be the case that you will need to take a more active role than you might expect in ensuring that you receive the further support that you're entitled to. 

    My own report from Psychiatry UK focused mainly on explaining how I met the ASD diagnostic criteria. As they were acting only as an assessment provider (in my case, via RTC), that's where their responsibility ended.

    In terms of what to do next, my own report also included:

    - Actions for my GP to follow up on (including arranging: therapy, occupational therapy, a psychosocial needs assessment and interventions, and different medications for my mental health conditions). In my case, only one of those follow-up actions was actioned automatically by my GP.

    - A final couple of pages of advice for me (I suspect that this is a standard, non-personalised addendum, so will be the same for you).

    Per NICE guidelines, you are also entitled to a personal support / care plan, which you may need to request (eg via your GP). This is explained here:

    NAS -  What formal support is available following an autism diagnosis?

    In addition to reading the NAS's resources and the other book that I recommended below, in respect of starting to make changes to better support myself, I found this book helpful:

    Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask!

Reply
  • martintheactor said:
    Part of me feels like I need to be patient. Like will the report the psychaitrist write detail areas I can look to improve on.

    From my and others' experiences of being assessed and diagnosed by private providers (whether directly as a private patient or via Right to Choose (RTC)), I should flag that ongoing support beyond the point of diagnosis might not be offered as seamlessly as it should be - or sometimes even at all - compared to the NHS pathway. So, just by way of warning, it might be the case that you will need to take a more active role than you might expect in ensuring that you receive the further support that you're entitled to. 

    My own report from Psychiatry UK focused mainly on explaining how I met the ASD diagnostic criteria. As they were acting only as an assessment provider (in my case, via RTC), that's where their responsibility ended.

    In terms of what to do next, my own report also included:

    - Actions for my GP to follow up on (including arranging: therapy, occupational therapy, a psychosocial needs assessment and interventions, and different medications for my mental health conditions). In my case, only one of those follow-up actions was actioned automatically by my GP.

    - A final couple of pages of advice for me (I suspect that this is a standard, non-personalised addendum, so will be the same for you).

    Per NICE guidelines, you are also entitled to a personal support / care plan, which you may need to request (eg via your GP). This is explained here:

    NAS -  What formal support is available following an autism diagnosis?

    In addition to reading the NAS's resources and the other book that I recommended below, in respect of starting to make changes to better support myself, I found this book helpful:

    Self-Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Unmask!

Children
  • in reply to Bunny

    Yes, I did read the form letter asking for the support/care plan here on the NAS website. Sadly, when looking at what 'support' options are available locally there doesn't actually seem to be all that much available. I'm also sadly quite used to advocating for myself with GPs. I've had no end of trouble trying to communicate with them over depression and joint/back pain issues. 

    I have also heard some horror stories from folks saying private diagnoses have been ignored by GPs so am hoping that this won't be the case with RTC, but am somewhat trying to prepare myself 'just in case'.