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Seeking advice on getting a diagnosis as an adult in a region of Scotland where it’s not provided through the NHS

Alamnesh

Hey everyone!

I am in need of some advice as to what options I have. Over the past years I have started thinking that I’m on the spectrum. A lot of my friends are and they also see it in me. 

I went to the gp in the summer because I was really struggling and they said there was nothing they could provide for me. I was informed that they don’t provide adult assessments in the region I live in (Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland) and they suggested I go private. Since then I have looked at the private assessments and I really can’t afford them as they seem to be incredibly expensive (the ones accepted by the NHS). I’m not sure what to do and feel at a bit of a loss, I have no social life and I can’t keep a job for long as it exhausts me and I struggle navigating the social side. 

I have another appointed with the mental health nurse at the beginning of next months as I haven’t been doing well. Do you have any advice on what options/course of action I should take? I was wondering if it would be worth asking for a general mental health screening in the hopes that it might lead to something else. Would another option be asking for a referral outwith the region? Is there any kind of funding one can access in order to go private? 

I would love any kind of advice or suggestions as I’m quite lost with what to do (even if its just about my upcoming appointment). Private seems to be my only option but it’s also so far out of my reach. Thanks Heart️

Parents

  • I am sorry to hear of your struggles in getting your ICB to fund an Autism Assessment.  It is a common misconception that all areas of the NHS provide the same service, when in fact each home nation, and each ICB decides what can be offered in their area.

    I am not sure why Dumfries & Galloway don't provide this, and I've no idea (without looking into it) how many other areas are in the same position. I am wondering if it is a funding decision, or something else such as a recruitment issue. 

    It would seem that if they aren't providing it, then your only option is to go private, or to move to another area.  The only other thing I can think of is to make further enquiries with your GP or mental health service (via GP referral) to see if any special provisions can be made for persons with particular struggles. 

    Now that you know there is an issue with Assessments, perhaps it would be better to try to get your 'foot in the door' with the mental health service first before mentioning ASD again.  I'd be telling the GP about my symptoms, rather than what I thought was causing them - and that way they may refer you.

    As right to choose doesn't operate in Scotland, I don't see you could be referred to another NHS, because your ICB would still have to fund the potential treatment, and that seems to be the issue. 

    Is there a local advocacy or voluntary ASD service that you could speak to, in order to get some advice?  

    https://www.autism.org.uk/autism-services-directory/d/dumfries-and-galloway-advocacyservice   may be able to advise you. 

Reply

  • I am sorry to hear of your struggles in getting your ICB to fund an Autism Assessment.  It is a common misconception that all areas of the NHS provide the same service, when in fact each home nation, and each ICB decides what can be offered in their area.

    I am not sure why Dumfries & Galloway don't provide this, and I've no idea (without looking into it) how many other areas are in the same position. I am wondering if it is a funding decision, or something else such as a recruitment issue. 

    It would seem that if they aren't providing it, then your only option is to go private, or to move to another area.  The only other thing I can think of is to make further enquiries with your GP or mental health service (via GP referral) to see if any special provisions can be made for persons with particular struggles. 

    Now that you know there is an issue with Assessments, perhaps it would be better to try to get your 'foot in the door' with the mental health service first before mentioning ASD again.  I'd be telling the GP about my symptoms, rather than what I thought was causing them - and that way they may refer you.

    As right to choose doesn't operate in Scotland, I don't see you could be referred to another NHS, because your ICB would still have to fund the potential treatment, and that seems to be the issue. 

    Is there a local advocacy or voluntary ASD service that you could speak to, in order to get some advice?  

    https://www.autism.org.uk/autism-services-directory/d/dumfries-and-galloway-advocacyservice   may be able to advise you. 

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