Guidance for Adults for Assessment & Diagnosis through the NHS

Here is information on what to do to get assessed:

http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/all-about-diagnosis/diagnosis-information-for-adults/how-do-i-get-a-diagnosis.aspx (NAS also have a helpline)

Here is a shortened version of the AQ50 (a validated test by Simon Baron-Cohen et al used in ASC assessments) which GP's should use as a screening tool prior to referral:

Link to AQ10 (autism quotient screening questionnaire): http://docs.autismresearchcentre.com/tests/AQ10.pdf (complete and take to GP).

Please note, your GP cannot fob you off with comments such as "there is no support for adults" or "we have no facility to assess locally" etc. You are entitled to an out-of-area assessment if there is no local clinic.

Your right to a second opinion on the NHS.

NHS choices regarding treatment, hospital, clinician etc. Here is NHS Choose & Book.

NHS statement on referrals entitlement here and here.

Check (and leave) reviews of your clinic or hospital before you choose. You may also read and leave reviews here by selecting your place of treatment from the menu.

Here is a quote from the Department of Health:

"Patients currently have the right to choose the organisation that provides their treatment when they are referred for their first outpatient appointment with a service led by consultants, and to information to support that choice. Any choice beyond this is at the discretion of the individual primary care trust (PCT).

You may be aware that the Government has made a number of commitments relating to extending the choice of treatment and provider in the vast majority of NHS-funded services. Views on implementing these commitments were collected in the subsequent public consultation Greater choice and control. The formal responses to the consultation are being published on the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk and can be found by typing ‘Greater choice and control’ in the search bar.

The NHS Standard Contract states that providers must accept referrals for any patient who chooses that provider and whom it is within their clinical competence to treat.

I would suggest that patients contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at their local PCT, which can be found through the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk. PALS will be able to contact and investigate this issue with the chosen provider."

NHS statement on referrals entitlement: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1094.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=153

and

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/doctors/Pages/gp-referrals.aspx

NHS NICE guidelines here: http://www.nice.org.uk/CG142

Autism Strategy here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/151844/dh_122910.pdf.pdf

If you need to complain to the NHS about their failures, here:

http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/complaints/Pages/NHScomplaints.aspx

Anyone facing trouble getting their GP to listen, contact your local councillor here:

http://www.writetothem.com/

If you do not get sufficient help from them, go to your MP here:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/

There is also the Lords but they have no duty to reply to members of the public:

http://www.writetothem.com/lords

(Mods: please could this be made into a sticky?)

Parents

gingerman over 9 years ago

i have recently been diadnosed with aspergers at the age of 45. and i just wanted to share my experience, as i feel that my story may help some people, as it has not been as stressful as many people experience.
i have had problems all my life, fitting in trying to conform, feeling alienated, but not knowing why. it led to many problems, low self esteem, alcoholism, suicide attempts. i was frustrated and scared but did not kno where to turn, or how to address my problems.
then last year i snapped. i started having cbt with some great people, started asking questions and actually got answers. i stopped working, as i just could not cope anymore. after struggling through the workplace for many years, the well became dry and i could not pretend anymore. coping and dealing with people and day to day life was too much, depression and anxiety were and are ruling my life.
then in april this year my mum suggested i get tested for aspergers, something i had never considered, i did some research and recognised myself in many stories. so i asked my gp for a referal. he was unsure what to do, but quickly got a referrral sorted.
i had my initial interview in june 2015, it went well, it was exhausting but the doctor i saw was brilliant, and at the end she explained that my next consultation could possibley be a year away. she was wrong thankfully. in october i had my next meeting, then a month later they spoke to my parents and i had my fianl diagnses on 24 november 2015. i was told a diagnoses of aspergers was relevant. what a relief, to be told that i was different, my feelings were true, and i was not alone. i was so pleased. i am now going on a course about aspergers which starts in february, then i shall do a course in socialising and social anxiety. i have joined NAS and i am slowly getting involved. i am not good with people so i am not sure how far i will go with it all.
that was 7 months from asking til final diagnooses. i hear many nightmare stories abut this prosess, it taking many years for things to happen. and this upsets me. i just wanted to say that for me and i guess the area in which i live the NHS and the mental health teams seem to be doing a good job. the system needs help but i just wanted to tell people that it does work in some places, so it can and should work in others.
we should not give up hope and not give up trying. i think the system needs help, and i have been very lucky, i hope other people out there get the help they need, ans soon.
this is the first time i have ever posted on anythng like this so i hope it is ok. i just want to send a positive message out there, i am not sure if i can name the health authority i use on these sites. but mine was fantastic. in time, hopefully soon, everyones health authority will be brilliant.

Reply

gingerman over 9 years ago

i have recently been diadnosed with aspergers at the age of 45. and i just wanted to share my experience, as i feel that my story may help some people, as it has not been as stressful as many people experience.
i have had problems all my life, fitting in trying to conform, feeling alienated, but not knowing why. it led to many problems, low self esteem, alcoholism, suicide attempts. i was frustrated and scared but did not kno where to turn, or how to address my problems.
then last year i snapped. i started having cbt with some great people, started asking questions and actually got answers. i stopped working, as i just could not cope anymore. after struggling through the workplace for many years, the well became dry and i could not pretend anymore. coping and dealing with people and day to day life was too much, depression and anxiety were and are ruling my life.
then in april this year my mum suggested i get tested for aspergers, something i had never considered, i did some research and recognised myself in many stories. so i asked my gp for a referal. he was unsure what to do, but quickly got a referrral sorted.
i had my initial interview in june 2015, it went well, it was exhausting but the doctor i saw was brilliant, and at the end she explained that my next consultation could possibley be a year away. she was wrong thankfully. in october i had my next meeting, then a month later they spoke to my parents and i had my fianl diagnses on 24 november 2015. i was told a diagnoses of aspergers was relevant. what a relief, to be told that i was different, my feelings were true, and i was not alone. i was so pleased. i am now going on a course about aspergers which starts in february, then i shall do a course in socialising and social anxiety. i have joined NAS and i am slowly getting involved. i am not good with people so i am not sure how far i will go with it all.
that was 7 months from asking til final diagnooses. i hear many nightmare stories abut this prosess, it taking many years for things to happen. and this upsets me. i just wanted to say that for me and i guess the area in which i live the NHS and the mental health teams seem to be doing a good job. the system needs help but i just wanted to tell people that it does work in some places, so it can and should work in others.
we should not give up hope and not give up trying. i think the system needs help, and i have been very lucky, i hope other people out there get the help they need, ans soon.
this is the first time i have ever posted on anythng like this so i hope it is ok. i just want to send a positive message out there, i am not sure if i can name the health authority i use on these sites. but mine was fantastic. in time, hopefully soon, everyones health authority will be brilliant.

Children

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