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Involvement of family member in the autism assessment

Munchkin

Hi, I am wondering if anyone can help me understand what the role of the family member is in the autism assessment for an adult. 

Particularly I am worrying about having them present for the entire assessment, I am unsure I would feel I could speak freely. 

Also what sort of questions will they ask and how much credence will this be given over what I self report?

So essentially my family situation is a bit difficult and they aren't very supportive of the autism diagnosis. I am taking my Dad who is the best available family member but if they are going to ask questions about my experience I would prefer to do this away from my Dad, like talking about bullying and upbringing, the degree of bullying I went through as a child was something I don't think he is aware of and discussing it in front of him now would just upset him to no good purpose. I have an alcoholic caregiver and I would like to be able to talk about these experiences without worry for negative consequences to this being disclosed to others as this is something everyone in my family has been schooled to never do. His answers to questions . . . I don't really know what he will say, he doesn't really understand autism beyond the boys with trainsets stereo type. I don't control what he says though and hopefully that sort of thing is not that uncommon and will be taken into account. 

Any advice on this topic would be appreciated. Just FYI I am on the waiting list currently (in the UK) I am under the right to choose thing but have not yet been given any information on what I would be able to choose from.

Thanks in advance :) 

Parents

  • I have very unsupportive parents who don't believe in diagnosis and refuse to update their knowledge in the many different ways autism can present. In the end my mum did the interview (only had to be there once), she was, of course, trying to tell them 'I'm totally normal and this is all ridiculous' in her own way, but it actually backfired on her. Like when asked about special interests, she told them how utterly obsessed I was with a pop group to the point I wouldn't shut up about it, in the fan club, trawled record shops looking for memorabilia. She thought she was telling them I can't be autistic because I was never interested in trains and it was something 'normal' for teenage girls. Or when asked about friendships at school she told them I can't be autistic because I had one best friend the whole time - yeah, one best friend and didn't talk to anyone else! So, I guess what I'm trying to say in this ramble is don't worry too much about their responses, the assessor knows what to look for. The family member only has to attend once so you will plenty of chances to talk about your experiences privately. Some even do telephone interviews or questionnaires, although I wouldn't recommend the questionnaire as it gives them to much time to think about their response.

  • in reply to Cloud44

    It blows my mind how many people I know who's families are unsupportive. It is so sad. I never got to test this myself as my parents are both long gone, but I would like to think that they would have been OK with it. I'm glad that your mum's approach backfired.

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