Not diagnosed with autism

Would you consider contacting the place where the assessment took place?  

If the assessment is done according to NICE guidelines, the assessment would be completed by a multi disciplinary team. It would comprise a neuro developmental history and a conversation based clinical assessment using ADOS-2. This would involve reciprocal conversation, observation and some simple tasks.

Masking, is normally well recognised now. Perhaps if you tell them that you don’t believe they took your masking into account, they would reconsider based on further information.

My assessment took place over several sessions. It probably would have taken nearer four hours in total, but I think three hours can be usual. 

Mine was over 3 separate sessions with 2 different people, took input from 2 external sources,  involved about 8 questionnaires.

The largest one was over 30 pages by the time I completed it and prompted for all the things you might need to think about. Such as sensory, behavioural, interpersonal, dietary, developmental, medical and communication related issues.

I had a couple of weeks to fill it in and added things as I thought of them. I hadn't realised having issues with being wet/showering was a trait till I saw it on this forum. One of the sessions involved any questions about this and any other items that were relevant (like walking on toes when barefoot). This removed the pressure to remember things on the day although I did make some brief notes. Some of the issues were fresh from my therapy sessions

They tried to consider other factors such as my unusual childhood and any emotional neglect and spent time on my adult relationships and work. I have other unresolved psychological issues I have buried.

I scored highly in the masking questionnaire which was probed in questioning.

My therapist also provided info related to why they thought I was autistic and why they thought I masked.

In the ADOS-2 session I scored 15. This was the only one I could not prepare for. I made it all the way through the frog book, but in too much detail. I thought it was creepy and a bit disturbing.

The 30 page report details the methods, process, tools, that it follows NICE guidelines, the results, sources of information and why they are relevant, background info from me, qualifications and that they are HCPC registered.

It was quite thorough.

But like I said elsewhere they already thought I was autistic from the initial discussion before we even started, which I did not realise. I ended up ticking all the boxes, only stimming is a bit weak.

I had also privately done some blood tests and showed hormone imbalance and high DHEA sulphate which points to adrenal issues and chronic stress, providing physiological backup.

I don't know if this is representative, it was done privately, but they were fully aware of masking and were looking for consistency. I tried to be as natural as I could and not try to guess what the were looking for. 

They have agreed to answer my dozen questions and are reviewing my 3 pages of comments on the report.

I, and they, think this should be the model to be followed. But given they are a consultant that specialises in this area you would hope so. The only downside is they are too busy to offer me additional therapy. 

Something like this gives a result that is hard to argue with.

A single session without preparation would seem a bit weak and does not gather all the evidence to make a robust diagnosis.

Gosh, that frog book! 

I panicked when I was given the book and I couldn’t make out what some of the pictures were meant to be. I was concerned because I thought the frog might have been a toad and that I would have been talking about something unconnected to the story. An adult version using more easily identifiable humans and other features is needed.

Your assessment sounds comprehensive and I was happy with thoroughness of mine. I had been referred to an NHS clinic for assessment but due to the 4+ year long waiting list, I chose to go to a private clinic. They gave me great follow up support. I did lots of research to make sure the assessment would be thorough and would be in accordance with NICE guidelines. 

Gosh, that frog book! 

I panicked when I was given the book and I couldn’t make out what some of the pictures were meant to be. I was concerned because I thought the frog might have been a toad and that I would have been talking about something unconnected to the story. An adult version using more easily identifiable humans and other features is needed.

Your assessment sounds comprehensive and I was happy with thoroughness of mine. I had been referred to an NHS clinic for assessment but due to the 4+ year long waiting list, I chose to go to a private clinic. They gave me great follow up support. I did lots of research to make sure the assessment would be thorough and would be in accordance with NICE guidelines. 

I'm glad you also called them toads. It was only afterwards I saw people here refer to it as the frog book.