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Waiting times for report after assessment

gerald_hosepipe

Hi

Hopefully someone can offer me some advice.  I took the assessment back in September and was told the report would be ready in a while.  It's now February and just over 5 months to the day but I'm still being told it is being finalised (the same thing I'm told every time I ask).  It was via the NHS but is 5 months plus a normal amount of time for a report to written?  

I'm getting pretty desperate as most of the mental health treatment I receive has was put on hold as they wanted me to have the assessment.  It's now been close to 18 months since I had a psychologist appointment.  I've been sectioned on a few occasions during this time but am always told they need the report before they decide on the next course of action.   

Also, I didn't feel the assessment was great in how it was conducted.  Basically, someone I've never met before who talked to me like a child for 45 minutes.  I'm mid 40's and know I was heavily masking as I was trying to stop myself from running out of the door as I already overwhelmed before even going in.  My perception was that he seemed to believe I was making it up and he heavily hinted that I was nowhere near the threshold - again if this was the case why the long wait for the report? I've had prior psychologists (they were also trained to undertake autism assessments) who I've worked for over a period months who all said that they believe I easily meet the threshold and that I need to pursue a formal diagnosis yet some guy I've never met can say yes or no based on a fraught 45 min chat and a book / some toys.  So, when it comes back negative, am I able to request a second opinion or should I just look to book a private assessment now? 

Parents

  • Dear gerald_hosepipe,

    This sounds like a difficult assessment for you to go through, and I am sorry to hear it has taken so long to get your report back. It could be worth contacting the local team to see if they can speed up getting the report back due to the distress it is causing. 

    I have signposted some of our resources below that may be helpful to take a look at:
    Assessment and diagnosis

    Seeking help with mental health - as you mentioned spending time as an inpatient recently I have included this information in case it is helpful

    I have also copied and pasted information regarding second opinions from What happens during an autism assessment - NHS

    If you do not agree with the result

    When you get the report, you may:

    • be told you or your child are not autistic
    • be asked to wait until your child is a bit older to be assessed again, as the signs of autism may not be clear
    • be given a diagnosis you do not agree with, such as a learning disability

    Ask the assessment team why they have made the diagnosis they have.

    The assessment team might arrange for a second opinion from a different team.

    If you still do not agree, you can ask the GP to refer you to another team for a second opinion. Or you can pay for another assessment by a professional you choose who works outside the NHS (privately).

    Remember that a second opinion may say the same thing.

    I hope this is helpful.

    Best wishes,

    Olivia Mod

Reply

  • Dear gerald_hosepipe,

    This sounds like a difficult assessment for you to go through, and I am sorry to hear it has taken so long to get your report back. It could be worth contacting the local team to see if they can speed up getting the report back due to the distress it is causing. 

    I have signposted some of our resources below that may be helpful to take a look at:
    Assessment and diagnosis

    Seeking help with mental health - as you mentioned spending time as an inpatient recently I have included this information in case it is helpful

    I have also copied and pasted information regarding second opinions from What happens during an autism assessment - NHS

    If you do not agree with the result

    When you get the report, you may:

    • be told you or your child are not autistic
    • be asked to wait until your child is a bit older to be assessed again, as the signs of autism may not be clear
    • be given a diagnosis you do not agree with, such as a learning disability

    Ask the assessment team why they have made the diagnosis they have.

    The assessment team might arrange for a second opinion from a different team.

    If you still do not agree, you can ask the GP to refer you to another team for a second opinion. Or you can pay for another assessment by a professional you choose who works outside the NHS (privately).

    Remember that a second opinion may say the same thing.

    I hope this is helpful.

    Best wishes,

    Olivia Mod

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