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Getting a diagnoses

CharlotteRogan

Hello, I'm Charlotte and I'm 24, I have a family history of Autism and believe that I also have it. I have posted on here before but I lost my username and password. 

I went to the doctor like everybody said, and basically he turned me down saying that it was expensive for a diagnoses and because it wouldn't make much difference in my knowing whether r not I had it, then I wouldn't be allowed a diagnoses, and I could pursue it  if I wanted to go private, but I looked into that and its an expense that I cannot afford.

I have put in to change doctors surgery, because I still had the same one even though I left home over 6 years ago, and my new one is round the corner, so I am going to try again at speaking to the doctor. I found it a really intimidateing experience, because I always feel like a hypochondriac when I go, and I hardly ever go to the doctors for that reason.

Even when I took a detailed explanation of why I wanted a diagnoses, they still turned me down, what do I have to do to make them take me seriously, because at the end of the day, its the doctor I have to persuade to send me for actual testing.

I am not looking at getting benefits, or using as an excuse, but for the reason that I want to find out about myself, and if diagnosed, would think very hard about bringing a child into the world that could also have Autism. I have just started a new job in an University, and think that exploring Autism might benefit me in understanding people, and helping towards my career so I don't feel self concious about people thinking I am weird or doing the wrong thing. I tend to be very quiet and don't say much because I am scared that I will say something wrong.

I hope that you could help me, and refer me to literature that might help me make my case, and also are there any directives that a doctor must follow when I make a request to be at least referred to someone who could possibly make a decision. I have read that your family are often involved in the diagnosis, I do not want my family to be included as I don't speak to them, would this hinder my chance of even a consultation?

  • With a general election coming in a year from now, this is a good time to make a fuss. Take up issues like this with your MP. It is one of the few times when gatekeepers listen.

    The conduct of GPO surgeries is supposed to have been addressed by the Autism Act, Press for Action, Think Autism and goodness knows what else. It just hasn't happened.

    But the next year is when people in high places wont want scandals or embarrassment. So rattle cages. Shake NAS out of its stupor. Complain to the press. Make a big scene.

    This is one good time to make a munumental fuss about injustice.

  •  

    I would not call Asperger's a 'slight' condition. If it is severe enough to be diagnosable, it is anything but 'slight', and can have huge ramifications.

    Was your Dad diagnosed with the condition? Do your siblings have classic Autism or Asperger's?

    Having Autism in the family, particularly multiple cases, does raise your risk anyway. I think what I am trying to say is that, knowing what you do now without a diagnosis, would you consider having a child? If you have significant problems relating to people, making friends, organising your life, then your child has a greater risk of having problems in that area anyway, regardless of an official diagnosis. If the diagnosis came back negative, would you change your mind about having children? You would still, though, have the family risk and the problems in your life that you must have to want a diagnosis in the first place.

    You have a right to an assessment, but on the NHS a diagnosis is only given if the condition is causing significant impairment. You mention bullying and problems at work - these problems might enable you to get a diagnosis if they are deemed clinically significant.

     

  • After going through what my parents did with one possibly two children with autism  very close in age (18 months apart), and the fact it sent my mum into a spiralling depression because she just couldn't cope. I am not good at coping with things, and also for the child. They could have very slight Aspergers, or they could have a debilitating condition, that doesn't give them a quality of life that I would want to give them. I was bullied throughout school for being weird, and never had any friends. Had problems at work due to bullying, although this is where I met my partner. I couldn't relax if I know my child has an increased risk, although I do know they would to a point with my dad and my brother having it, but if I had it also, I feel that there is a even bigger chance through direct link from a parent being Autistic

    I do have a partner at the moment, who I have been with for a while, and he understands that I am weird. 

    I did the AQ test and got 44. 

  • Do you currently have a boyfriend?

    While it might be important for you to find out if you have AS, in the meantime just knowing your own traits, strengths and weaknesses, should be adequate. Any child will inherit similar personality characteristics to you, but it also depends on the father's personality as well. If you feel strongly that you have Autism like traits, your child will be at higher risk of having Autism like traits as well, and possibly actually having Autism/Asperger's. But why would this affect your decision to have kids? I have Asperger's and would love to have kids, but right now, at 26 years old, I don't have any friends, let alone a partner. The risk of having a child with Autism would not put me off having a child. I would be more put off by the process of pregnancy and birth.

    You have a right to be assessed for AS if you think you might have it, under the Autism Act 2009. Have you filled in the AQ test?

  • Sorry for my late reply, I cannot use my phone to answer on this forum for some reason, and I have been at work all day.

    I think it might also be due to the fact that I am a girl. What I don't get is the fact that they have the audacity to say that it doesn't matter, if it was something like schizophrenia, or some other mental issue, they would be quick to give you a diagnoses. If you had any other illness then you wouldn't be fobbed off easily. Mostly I want to know if I indeed have it because I am getting to the age where I may want to start a family, but my decision would be heavily affected on the outcome of what a psychologist has to say.

  • Hi I'm Jeff and I'm 30 I'm in the same boat as you I can't really help with your situtaion but I can share my nightmare experience with it all, I completely 99% believe I have AS. I went to my GP for an asbergess test which he refused to refer me, so I moved GP.

    My new GP eventually authorized one, but the day of the consultation was a disaster the guy I met was a little Indian fellow who could barley speak English, I sat in the chair and he started messing around with his hearing aid for the first 15 mins trying different batteries because he said it was flat (brilliant!) he asked me loads of questions about my childhood, parents etc and diagnosed me with Schizoid personality disorder which I didn't agree with at all, so back at the GP a few weeks later reading through the report it turns out he lied though the whole consultation twisted things and made up things I didn't even say! He spelt my girlfriends name wrong despite asking her how to spell it and at one point he referred to me as a female, he also said I had great eye contact which is an utter lie. I asked my GP for a second opinion which they refused, depressed and frustrated by it all I just gave up, very unprofessional.

    After a lot of stuggling and losing my GF due to my AS only recently I've asked for a second opinion again and they granted me another consultation but at the same place so I think the result will come back the same just to quickly get me in and out the door, because thats all it seemed the first time. I might even record it this time so there's no porkies.