• Replies 6 replies
  • Subscribers 84 subscribers
  • Views 319 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Assessment query

EAHfan20.

Hi guys,

I'm new to this chat, I thought I'd ask about autism diagnoses and assessments. I'm on the psychiatry UK waitlist. I talked to my GP in August, who referred me, and I had to wait 8 weeks for Psychiatry UK to receive and accept/approve this and put me on the waitlist. I now have to wait 7 weeks for the forms to be sent to me for me to fill them in. I didn't even realise this happened.

I’m feeling a mix of nerves and also feeling curious about what to expect next. Since 2022, I’ve struggled with dissociation and started researching autism after some of my friends and a counselor said I showed traits. The more I read, the more things from my past began to make sense — it was like everything clicked. Now I genuinely cannot see how I don't have autism cause everything aligns perfectly all my traits from childhood to now fit. The only thing tho, since 2022, I've started rocking back and forth, hand flapping, kicking my heels together when sitting down and excited, and having meltdowns a lot. None of this happened as a kid from what I can recall. I've stimmed all my life but nothing like this which makes me think I could be faking it. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

For those of you who’ve already had your assessments or diagnoses:

How did you find the process?

What were the forms like, and how long did it take from start to finish?

I’d also love to hear how you felt afterward?

Thank you so much Smiley

  • I am a few months on from where you are. Just waiting for completed report now.

    I went into the assessment with no agenda for a diagnosis, I just needed answers. I'm not going to lie and say the process has been easy, but I've gained insight into how my brain processes information differently to those around me and that's quite a revelation.

    The forms were mostly straightforward. I had to get help from friends but got through them in a week. The bits I really struggled with I just circled and took back like that. I think the pattern of the bits I couldn't answer and why actually ended up telling us a lot in itself!

    I was worried they would have to drag my family into it. I'm 46 and pracrically estranged from them. They managed to get enough information without opening that can of worms!

    I don't know about timings as I was seen privately by clinical psychologist who works with my psychiatrist. Very long story. The assessment was done over 4 weeks and 4 more for waiting for the full report.

    To give you an idea of the benefit of this process, I've been to the supermarket on my own today and for the first time in as long as I can remember I felt grounded. One of the things that became obvious from the assessment process was that I had sound sensory difficulties that I've been masking. As an experiment, today I tried out a type of ear plug. I could actually think and problem solve whilst in the store! When they didn't have the thing I was expecting I was able to think through what to do without having to finish the rest of my shopping, go sit in my car to figure out the solution and then go back in to complete my shop. I laughed all the way home about how ridiculously simple it all was.

    On the flip side there's waves of grief as I process the fact that for 30 years I was wrongly diagnosed and how different my life could have been.

    I hope you get the answers you're looking for.

  • in reply to EAHfan20.

    Thanks, that's great advice. It's only 7 weeks, but next Thursday it's 8. 

    yep, I did that too when someone first suggested autism and didn't really come to accept it as apossibility until about 6yrs later

  • I went through psychiatry UK for my ADHD diagnosis. I found them very good. Wait times have definitely gone up since I used them though. I'm a little confused why you have to wait for the forms. They were just put online for me. I don't remember having to wait for that. Forms aren't anything major but there are a few of them. Main ones I remember was ones for you and someone that knows you well filling out ones about your traits. I didn't go through them for my autism diagnosis so the forms are likely a bit different.

    I'm unconvinced anyone can keep up faking something with and without other people around for years. I'd imagine it more likely that you either don't remember some of your childhood, have felt that you can relax and stop suppressing those behaviours or the demands of adult life have increased your stimming and meltdowns.

  • in reply to DaughteroftheKing

    thank you so much for your response, aw bless. Haha I was in the same boat until chatting to one of the people on the chat function thingy and they had told me it's another eight weeks once the eight weeks has passed from it being accepted onto the referral list. if you've waited eight weeks now or over, head over to the website, and click on the chat thingy to the right of the screen and chat to someone and they should be able to advise you whether it's been accepted. Ooo thank you I'll check out on youtube, when I found out about autism I googled a lot of youtube videos but kinda shoved the fact I could be autistic to the side cause I genuinely thought I was faking it. i'll have a look ty :D

  • I'm in a similar position to you.... but still waiting in the first 8 week period. Thanks for giving me an idea of the ahead time. I've been wondering if they lost my application but just waiting the 8 weeks mentioned on their website. 

    Similar to you, I had it sugested to me that I migth be autistic. I ignored it at first but after looking into it and listening to endless testimonies and channels on Youtube, I'm sure I am and asked my Gp to refer me. I aso have moments of thinking I am faking it - that seems pretty common and is called imposter syndrome - it's also pretty usual for us undiagnosed people, especially as we come to terms with ourselves and stop masking. I think it's pretty difficult to remember how you appeared as a child but saying that listening to podcasts of actually autistic people I've noticed a few similarities. Perhaps try some on Youtube? I love Auticate, but there are many others even Biritish people who talk about the assessment process

    (1193) I'm Autistic, Now What? - YouTube

    (1193) Auticate with Chris & Debby - YouTube

    Autistic Mental Health Tips for 2022 | AUTISM IN GIRLS

  • Hi

    Hopefully you'll have some helpful responses from comunity users about their expereices as so many have been in the same situation as you. In the meantime you can find loads of useful information about diagnoss on our website: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/assessment-and-diagnosis

    Best of luck with it all,

    Sharon Mod