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The Autism Assessment

Homebird

Yesterday I was looking at a useful link to details about the DSM assessment. I am on the waiting list, however many years left to wait for an assessment probably. 

I have a question for anyone who has a diagnosis. Over a year ago I completed the forms and other information, including evidence from my memory of early experiences. I also had a meeting following this where I was asked lots of questions and following that I was told they had enough evidence to go on the waiting list. 

My question is regarding the formal assessment. When my son had his, we watched from another room and this assessment involved activities and conversation. That bit is fine, but as an adult they have to be convinced that this was apparent in childhood. I was wondering therefore if I would likely be asked again for examples at that time. If so I need to keep a note of them when I remember, as I am likely to forget when I am there.

Parents

  • Once I thought there was a realistic prospect that I am autistic, I started writing everything down as I thought of it.

    It helped to identify traits, it prompted memories of when I first started doing things. It also allowed me to order my thoughts and it reduced mental load because I didn't need to try to remember them.

    It meant I then had a list with the best examples and could back up any answers I gave to the questionaires. This made me more confident I would assessed fairly.

    Knowing your traits also allows you identify accommodations you can put in place now to make things easier.

    To more directly answer the question, yes, examples from childhood will be useful.

  • in reply to Stuart333

    Thank you for this reply. I did that for the initial assessment, so I can add any others I think of along the way. Did you get asked again when you went for the final assessment with all the tests?

Reply Children
  • in reply to Homebird

    I did it privately, as I needed to know what was wrong quickly. I was in a mess, couldn't process the past and couldn't bury it anymore.

    The criteria are the same but the approach may vary.

    I addition to the screening questionaires was also a long one prompting you for all the things they might ask about background, traits, problems. You could writes what you wanted. Mine was 30 pages when completed. Some of that was lhe questions and formatting. But it meant I didn't need to remember it all.

    They asked for clarification on some items. They didn't need 10 examples of each thing, just enough to confirm i met the criteria and see the main issues. It is not therapy even though they are nice, it is a psychological evaluation.

    I found out at the end they had decided in the initial meeting before we even started the formal process, they were just checking there was enough evidence. I was so worried.