Finally have an assessment date.

I first approached my GP in October 2021 for an autism assessment, the phone rang yesterday and I answered as I thought it was my wife. 
The person calling said they were from the NHS Adult assessment team and my name had  come to the top of the list.

In my true numpty style I said, “ thank you, I can’t hear you”  and put the phone down. The lady rang back and was very understanding. I have a face to face 4 hour appointment for next month. Now the panic and processing has really started. I hoping as it’s an adult unit that my biggest fear won’t appear, the dreaded frog book.

I received an email showing the building and photos of my route, what all the rooms will look like and the clinicians I will be meeting. I can choose wether I want the result forwarded to my GP. My wife is going to go with me.

My only apprehension is the building is where my mother and aunt  were resident every time they were ‘sectioned’. My memories of the place aren’t very good. This last part of waiting is the worst as it’s making me overthink everything.

  • Thank you, and thank you for being a good friend.Bouquet

  • I believe this is due soon Roy.

    All the very best for it.

  • “ thank you, I can’t hear you”

    This is a beautiful way of doing it and I will keep this phrase for the next time I for whatever reason actually pick up a phone call and immediately regret it, which is most times I answer the phone. 

    my biggest fear won’t appear, the dreaded frog book.

    I did have the frog book despite being in an adult unit, although I quite enjoyed that part, I seem to remember got very frustrated at some of illogical decorating choices done by the people in the book. Other parts of that 'observation of tasks' bit was decidedly more weird in my opinion, but my friend had a different type of assessment which involved only lots and lots of talking, so you may escape the book. 

    I'm glad that your wife is going with you and I'm sorry that the building has so many negative connotations. I agree with the others that it may be worth bringing up. 

    Good luck, and hurray for making it to the end of the list :) 

  • Great news to hear Roy. I'm sorry it's in a building where bad memories exist but I know you will be fine mate.

    As everybody else has said, we are rooting for you.

    Best wishes to you for your assessment.

  • Thank you   and overwhelmed & underwhelmed ( O & U ) (overwhelmed) 

    It’s quite strange, in the 3 years and 8 months I’ve been waiting, my reasons to seek a diagnosis have totally changed.

  • All the best Roy, I'm glad you have got there at last.

    I'm sorry about the building - that's unfortunate and, as O&U said, you might want to mention the fact either before or once there.

    Buildings do keep their associations, don't they, or at least they do with me.

    We will, as LSK says, be rooting for you.

  • Thank you, that’s really kind of you.

  • Congrats, nearly there.

    I'm sorry the place is full of bad memories, but you’ll ace the assessment and don’t worry about being nervous, they are professionals and will be there to offer support if needed.

    You’ve got this, Roy! We’re all rooting for you.