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Getting from a Screening Assessment to a Diagnosis

Riverside

My work paid for an Autism Screening Assessment and so I now have a report saying that my results are 'highly indicative of Autism traits'. The assessment isn't a diagnosis as it was carried out by a Clinical Psychologist, who isn't qualified to diagnose Autism. I'm on the waiting list for my local NHS neurodiversity service but I have been for some time and I'm expecting to be waiting for quite a long time yet. How do I get from the assessment to actually getting a diagnosis?

  • Hi Riverside

    If work paid for the screening - did they realise it wasn't going to lead to assessment ?

    So the psychologist who did the screening can't actually diagnose ? then not sure how they could do any screening beyond asking you to do the free online tests. 

    Would your employer be willing to pay for a private assessment ? and if they do pay, are they expecting you to show them the full report or just the diagnosis ? as I wouldn't let my employer see anything but the diagnosis itself

    I can't answer about NHS waiting times, other than heard it depends on where you live but can be 3-4 year wait, although there is RTC (right to choose) I expect others who have gone this route with NHS would be better to advise.

    Good Luck btw

  • in reply to Riverside

    You're most welcome! Slight smile

  • Hi and welcome to the community.

    These articles (from "Before diagnosis") might be particularly helpful at this point:

    NAS - Signs that a child or adult may be autistic

    NAS - How to request an autism assessment

    For those living in England, the second article includes information about Right to Choose, which enables access to private assessment providers who might have shorter waiting lists than the NHS, but with your referral and assessment still fully funded by the NHS.

    You could ask your GP to redirect your existing NHS referral to this pathway if you're not already on it.

    The AQ-10 or AQ-50 seem to be the most frequently used / required by GPs in support of NHS-based re-referrals and their respective Right to Choose providers. (RAADS-R might also be helpful, although some recent research has thrown doubt on its validity as a screening tool). You can complete them here and share a copy with your GP, if they need them:

    Embrace Autism - screening tests