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What happens at a diagnosis assessment?

SarJakittenwizard

On Monday I received a text saying that my referral was accepted which I'm guessing means at some point I'll get a phone call or letter telling me when and where it'll happen, but I just wanted to know what would happen at the assessment. I guess it'll be asking me questions, but what else? I get quite nervous and I'd just like to know what will happen next. Also the message I received said that they couldn't give me an estimated wait time for an assessment to take place, but in you experiences, how long did it take?  Also, another question, where did it take place for you? Did it take place at a local GP or hospital or did it take place in a specific place such as a specific hospital in a city or something. I know all of your replies might vary but it'd be nice to know what your experiences might have been like.

Parents

  • It’s good that you got acknowledgement of your referral. You just have to be yourself during an autism assessment - I know that can be easier said than done, especially if you have various emotions around the possibility that you are autistic. 

    I was referred by my GP for an NHS assessment, but the waiting list was over 4 years in N. Ireland so I had my assessment at a private clinic that specialised in autism assessment. The NHS assessments where I live, take place at an adult autism clinic at a hospital The assessment took place over three separate appointments. The first part was a developmental history gathering exercise which was undertaken by a Clinical Pschologist. He asked lots of questions about the past and the present. The second and third parts were conducted by a specialist Occupational Therapist who had been trained to assess adults according to the accepted NICE guidelines. I was asked questions, we had a conversation on several different topics and I was observed doing set tasks. There are no right or wrong answers. At the end of the process I was told that I was autistic and this was followed up by a written diagnosis of autism and a detailed report of my strengths and challenges. I also had two more follow up appointments to discuss the findings.

Reply

  • It’s good that you got acknowledgement of your referral. You just have to be yourself during an autism assessment - I know that can be easier said than done, especially if you have various emotions around the possibility that you are autistic. 

    I was referred by my GP for an NHS assessment, but the waiting list was over 4 years in N. Ireland so I had my assessment at a private clinic that specialised in autism assessment. The NHS assessments where I live, take place at an adult autism clinic at a hospital The assessment took place over three separate appointments. The first part was a developmental history gathering exercise which was undertaken by a Clinical Pschologist. He asked lots of questions about the past and the present. The second and third parts were conducted by a specialist Occupational Therapist who had been trained to assess adults according to the accepted NICE guidelines. I was asked questions, we had a conversation on several different topics and I was observed doing set tasks. There are no right or wrong answers. At the end of the process I was told that I was autistic and this was followed up by a written diagnosis of autism and a detailed report of my strengths and challenges. I also had two more follow up appointments to discuss the findings.

Children