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Autism assessment waiting list

John878990



Hey everyone Wave

So today my psychiatrist said he suspects I might be autistic and recommended going for an assessment.

I agreed to the referral, but then he told me the current wait time is around 4 years and 8 months Flushed

Is that normal?! Has anyone else been through this recently and can share what your timeline looked like?

Just trying to figure out if this is typical or if something’s gone a bit mad with the system.

Would really appreciate hearing your experiences. To be honest, it all sounds pretty stressful—and I’m not keen on the idea of just being handed antidepressants as a quick fix to mask what might actually be a broader health condition.

Also I'm wondering if the psychiatrist might’ve regretted starting the referral, and maybe was subtly encouraged to stretch the process out so I’d eventually give up on it altogether.

Thanks all

Parents

  • Well, my son (22yo) has been waiting for his final diagnostic interview since February 2020 - nigh on six years. He was only 16 then, as COVID got in the way he was moved onto the adult waiting list in 2022. I've contacted our neurodevelopmental clinic, and also asked the GP to 'bump' them, and only managed to get a letter saying they're underfunded and don't want people to contact them. Oh, and that it can take several years more before he gets an appointment.

    Meanwhile, he's being turned down for living and educational support everywhere, as he doesn't have a formal diagnosis ...

    I've was referred for assessment around six months ago, and a friend told me about Psychiatry UK, as mentioned by Bunny, so I'm just trying to get my son (who's fed up with the whole system and doesn't want to engage) to agree for me to request a re-referral for him, and I'll ask to use  it through RTC for myself too.

    If you can afford it, it's also possible to go for a private (self-funded) assessment. You'd have to ensure that the practice's assessment is recognised by the NHS, but there are quite a few places that are so that shouldn't be a problem.

    My cynical side says that the underfunding is intentional, so there are fewer diagnoses and no need to invest in support models for those who need it. But, I could be wrong.

    Good luck!

Reply

  • Well, my son (22yo) has been waiting for his final diagnostic interview since February 2020 - nigh on six years. He was only 16 then, as COVID got in the way he was moved onto the adult waiting list in 2022. I've contacted our neurodevelopmental clinic, and also asked the GP to 'bump' them, and only managed to get a letter saying they're underfunded and don't want people to contact them. Oh, and that it can take several years more before he gets an appointment.

    Meanwhile, he's being turned down for living and educational support everywhere, as he doesn't have a formal diagnosis ...

    I've was referred for assessment around six months ago, and a friend told me about Psychiatry UK, as mentioned by Bunny, so I'm just trying to get my son (who's fed up with the whole system and doesn't want to engage) to agree for me to request a re-referral for him, and I'll ask to use  it through RTC for myself too.

    If you can afford it, it's also possible to go for a private (self-funded) assessment. You'd have to ensure that the practice's assessment is recognised by the NHS, but there are quite a few places that are so that shouldn't be a problem.

    My cynical side says that the underfunding is intentional, so there are fewer diagnoses and no need to invest in support models for those who need it. But, I could be wrong.

    Good luck!

Children
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