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?)

Acer over 12 years ago

I've never been on here before but I have a problem.
My son is 40, diagnosed with AS and borderline learning difficulties. He was diagnosed as an adult by Lorna Wing, after having a breakdown and being diagnosed as schizophrenic. His history at the hands of South London and Maudlsley Healthcare Trust has been long and painful with the psychiatrists only ever dealing with his apparant psychotic attacks, but never his life condition which has always caused him so many more problems.
Just over a month ago, he was taken into mental hospital on a section 2 because of his anxiety and self-isolation. When he's worried about things, he talks out loud to himself and gets upset if he's disturbed too much. For the first few weeks in hospital he kept himself under control and was silent. Towards the end of the section, he started talking to himself, got angry, shouted at people and was injected with anti-psychotics. He's now under a section 3 and I am going to appeal it. He needs to be assessed properly and, while they've got him on section, preferably without the anti-psychotics clouding up his already traumatised mind.
My problem is that Lambeth doesn't have any adult autism services and I need to know who to ask for before I go into the meeting. I am aware that one is never offered, one always has to ask for a specific thing otherwise one just gets fobbed off. Are there any suitable services in London or environs that can be bought in. Where do I go to find out? Thanks for your help
Hawthorn over 12 years ago

Well done on this.
It is an invaluable resource for those starting out on their AS journey, which as we all know is scary, confusing, and above all uncertain.
Having all this data in one area is just fantastic.
Anil A - Mod over 12 years ago

It's now a sticky. Well researched Intenseworld.
IntenseWorld over 12 years ago

Mod response please?
IntenseWorld over 12 years ago

...thank you. I probably should have been a lawyer, as I hate injustice (mind you that's not what drives our legal system ) and I get really mad on behalf of people who have been fobbed off, hard-done-by or treated badly. Doesn't stop it happening to me though!
It's times like this, it pays to be an Aspie. I lo-o-o-o-ve research and problem-solving. Shame there aren't a few Aspies/auties in strategic positions that can drive things in the right direction for us.
Another thing people need to be doing, finding out about their local councils' overview and scrutiny panels as they hold public meetings and you can write to them and tell them about bad experiences with services - that's both adults' and childrens'.
openheart over 12 years ago

Intense you are a good advocate for the autism community, thank you for the time and energy you put into your posts.