Assessment query

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

Parents
  • 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

  • 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

Reply
  • 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

Children