To all who have been, or are in the process of, being diagnosed as an adult.

LoCommotion said:

This all sounds like a very drawn-out and frustrating process and I'm beginning to question the value of it...  I would like to know one way or another, but even if I decide not to ask for an assessment my research into the matter has already heelped me to understand a lot more about myself.

The only part I found frustrating was the gateway worker I saw, she was the most ignorant person I have ever had the misfortune to meet. She came out with such gems as aspergers being a childhood disorder so I couldn't possibly have it. When I mentioned my concerns about my daughter possibly being on the spectrum she said all kids have little obsessions and quirks and that any problems my daughter had were my fault, that she'd learned behaviours from me. I really don't know how I managed to restrain myself she was such an evil person but wrapped up in one of those happy smiley 'I'm the professional so I'm right' personas.

As I said my GP was fantastic, he unfotunately has left the practice but my new favourite GP is my daughter's doctor and again she is absolutely fantastic and really goes out of her way to help.

You could try going for a diagnosis, see how you get on if your sent to the wrong people (i.e a general mental health practioner and not someone trained on autism) just demand to be seen by the right people.

I also can't recommend the NAS helpline enough, I've called them on the verge of tears because of being messed around (with both myself and my daughter) and they have been fantastic at getting me the right info and giving me the confidence to go back and insist I get referrals.

LoCommotion said:

This all sounds like a very drawn-out and frustrating process and I'm beginning to question the value of it...  I would like to know one way or another, but even if I decide not to ask for an assessment my research into the matter has already heelped me to understand a lot more about myself.

The only part I found frustrating was the gateway worker I saw, she was the most ignorant person I have ever had the misfortune to meet. She came out with such gems as aspergers being a childhood disorder so I couldn't possibly have it. When I mentioned my concerns about my daughter possibly being on the spectrum she said all kids have little obsessions and quirks and that any problems my daughter had were my fault, that she'd learned behaviours from me. I really don't know how I managed to restrain myself she was such an evil person but wrapped up in one of those happy smiley 'I'm the professional so I'm right' personas.

As I said my GP was fantastic, he unfotunately has left the practice but my new favourite GP is my daughter's doctor and again she is absolutely fantastic and really goes out of her way to help.

You could try going for a diagnosis, see how you get on if your sent to the wrong people (i.e a general mental health practioner and not someone trained on autism) just demand to be seen by the right people.

I also can't recommend the NAS helpline enough, I've called them on the verge of tears because of being messed around (with both myself and my daughter) and they have been fantastic at getting me the right info and giving me the confidence to go back and insist I get referrals.