Getting a diagnoses

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
  • 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.

Reply
  • 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.

Children
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