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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?

Parents

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    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.

     

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  •  

    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.

     

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