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Need help when the NHS fails

Heretic

Hello all

I am a middle-aged man who is seeking a diagnosis of autism (it's a long story). Having spoken to my GP last year, I was sent to a psychologist, who referred me to CBT for 'anxiety' (with the usual long waits between each appointment). I got a strong impression that all three (GP, Psychologist and CBT therapist) just didn't want to hear the term 'Autism', despite significant indicators, and that I was not taken seriously - I suspect cost and a lack of local expertise is a major factor.

It seems that this route to diagnosis is unavailable as subsequent discussion with my GP got me nowhere; I am not sure where to turn next. Any help or advice would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

Parents

  • Thanks for your replies.

     

    Thank you for your replies and for reading (or 'listening').

    My son is autistic (diagnosed) and it was this that first got me thinking that I may be too; as I read up on the subject, I ticked (nearly) all the boxes....I subsequently took the AQ (Cambridge Uni) test and scored highly. Independently of that, my son's Special Needs Coordinator recognised the characteristics during meetings I had with her and my (now ex-) girlfriend has a 25 year old son who is autistic and she also recognised the signs.

    Thus two people with good experience of autism plus a strong indication from the AQ test surely would be considered as reasonable evidence...

    ...not to mention my lifelong feeling of isolation, social awkwardness, and simply being different. My inability to maintain a romantic relationship, obsessive interest in a particular area, occasional irrational anger at seemingly minor events, hyper-sensitivity to bright light and sounds at certain frequencies, and I seem simply to think in a very different way to others...very able at analysis (cause and effect) but with a low emotional intelligence...as one of my (few) friends put it - scary smart.

Reply

  • Thanks for your replies.

     

    Thank you for your replies and for reading (or 'listening').

    My son is autistic (diagnosed) and it was this that first got me thinking that I may be too; as I read up on the subject, I ticked (nearly) all the boxes....I subsequently took the AQ (Cambridge Uni) test and scored highly. Independently of that, my son's Special Needs Coordinator recognised the characteristics during meetings I had with her and my (now ex-) girlfriend has a 25 year old son who is autistic and she also recognised the signs.

    Thus two people with good experience of autism plus a strong indication from the AQ test surely would be considered as reasonable evidence...

    ...not to mention my lifelong feeling of isolation, social awkwardness, and simply being different. My inability to maintain a romantic relationship, obsessive interest in a particular area, occasional irrational anger at seemingly minor events, hyper-sensitivity to bright light and sounds at certain frequencies, and I seem simply to think in a very different way to others...very able at analysis (cause and effect) but with a low emotional intelligence...as one of my (few) friends put it - scary smart.

Children
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