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Hello, I’m new

GKF

Hi,

I’m new here.

i have recently been put on the waiting list for an NHS diagnosis but been told that there’s a waiting time of over 4 and a half years.

Does anyone have any advice for what I can do or any help I can get while I wait?

I am struggling with be able to get any help when it comes to education as I have recently started a degree with the open uni and as I don’t have ‘proof’ to give them, I can’t qualify for any additional help.

I am struggling mentally with all of this and I don’t know where else to turn for help

Thanks

G

Parents

  • Hi GKF, welcome along. Sorry to hear of your struggles. I work in NHS mental health services so unhappily confirm that the wait time you mentioned is probably about right (for an NHS service).

    People have made some great suggestions so just have a couple of tings to add. If you go down the 'choose and book' option you will get a list of organisations who your GP can refer you to for free. Like everywhere, there are good ones and bad ones. From experience, I would avoid Psychiatry UK. I have a number of illustrations of poor practice from them. Clinical Partners (another provider) seems much more autism friendly, my daughter had a good experience with them. 

    Within NHS services local to you, there will be a number of options available to you for time limited talking therapy support, they have lots of different names but if you Google IAPT near me, that should take you to what you need to find. Might also be worth googling local autism support. From my experience you don't need a formal diagnosis to feel welcomed by similar brained people!

    When you're assessed, you will receive a diagnosis and a report commenting on the reason why you meet that criteria, that's it. Useful to have that document but that's where it ends. I thoroughly recommend this book: The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy by Steph Jones.

    She is autistic and a therapist. It's very practical and covers how to spot bad therapists, what therapy could be useful and really importantly, how to begin to create a life that doesn't generate burnouts and meltdowns. Well worth a read. 

    Lastly, legally, you don't need a diagnosis to ask for reasonable adjustments at uni. You need an assessment focussed on identifying the things you find difficult. In the work place this is known as a CAT assessment completed through Occupational Health services. When you ask for help via student support, might be worth asking if the uni has a similar process. Good luck!!

  • in reply to Somewhat damaged..
    Somewhat damaged.. said:
    If you go down the 'choose and book' option you will get a list of organisations who your GP can refer you to for free.

    Due to decisions taken by their respective devolved Parliaments / Assembly, Right to Choose (RTC) isn’t currently available in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

    As GKF explained in a reply below, after using RTC was previously suggested, they live in Wales, so sadly don’t have the benefit of this option. 

  • in reply to Bunny

    AHH missed that, thanks for spotting it Bunny . Sorry GFK.

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