Diagnosis

wishface said:

Who would giv eme a second opinion? I was seen by the only people available. Asking for one is fine, getting one is another matter entirely.

I think that's a question for your GP, initially.

And surely they will want the same information. They didn't give me a diagnosis because they couldn't get enough supporting information, which is the reason for wanting a developmental history.

There are various different diagnostic and assessment methods, so I don't think it's certain that the exact same information will be required.

If there's no possibility of providing a developmental history, then obviously methods that rely on developmental histories will be no good.  If you ask for a second opinion, you can take the opportunity to say that the assessment method will have to be one that doesn't require a developmental history.

Also, even if they say they 'need' a developmental history, that doesn't necessarily mean it's absolutely essential.  Those of us who are autistic may tend to take words such as 'need' in that kind of absolute, literal, unconditional, black-and-white way, and end up thinking there's no possibility of a diagnosis unless the 'need' is met, and therefore no point in even initiating such a process.  But words such as 'need' are often used more loosely - though it can be tricky for us to tell when that's so!

So, a clinician might say, "I need a developmental history," when what they mean is they need a developmental history because otherwise making a diagnosis is quite a bit more difficult and time-consuming for both them and you, though not necessarily impossible, though still less likely than if a developmental history is available.  Without understanding or allowing for that unspoken part, someone autistic could easily take what's actually said as being all there is to it.  It's one of the ways that ASDs can get in the way of getting those ASDs diagnosed.

A diagnosis isn't a guaranteed route to ESA since the system awards on the basis of fulfilling criteria and scoring points. But a diagnosis will certainly back up any claim for how criteria affect me. At the very least it should be taken more seriously than no diagnosis if I have to deal with the JC (which I will). It's no guarantee of anything, but without it they aren't going to giv eme any lattitude or support (not that they do anyway).

If you can't specifically get a diagnosis of an ASD, can you at least get professional, clinical confirmation that you do have particular problems, symptoms and difficulties?

wishface said:

Who would giv eme a second opinion? I was seen by the only people available. Asking for one is fine, getting one is another matter entirely.

I think that's a question for your GP, initially.

And surely they will want the same information. They didn't give me a diagnosis because they couldn't get enough supporting information, which is the reason for wanting a developmental history.

There are various different diagnostic and assessment methods, so I don't think it's certain that the exact same information will be required.

If there's no possibility of providing a developmental history, then obviously methods that rely on developmental histories will be no good.  If you ask for a second opinion, you can take the opportunity to say that the assessment method will have to be one that doesn't require a developmental history.

Also, even if they say they 'need' a developmental history, that doesn't necessarily mean it's absolutely essential.  Those of us who are autistic may tend to take words such as 'need' in that kind of absolute, literal, unconditional, black-and-white way, and end up thinking there's no possibility of a diagnosis unless the 'need' is met, and therefore no point in even initiating such a process.  But words such as 'need' are often used more loosely - though it can be tricky for us to tell when that's so!

So, a clinician might say, "I need a developmental history," when what they mean is they need a developmental history because otherwise making a diagnosis is quite a bit more difficult and time-consuming for both them and you, though not necessarily impossible, though still less likely than if a developmental history is available.  Without understanding or allowing for that unspoken part, someone autistic could easily take what's actually said as being all there is to it.  It's one of the ways that ASDs can get in the way of getting those ASDs diagnosed.

A diagnosis isn't a guaranteed route to ESA since the system awards on the basis of fulfilling criteria and scoring points. But a diagnosis will certainly back up any claim for how criteria affect me. At the very least it should be taken more seriously than no diagnosis if I have to deal with the JC (which I will). It's no guarantee of anything, but without it they aren't going to giv eme any lattitude or support (not that they do anyway).

If you can't specifically get a diagnosis of an ASD, can you at least get professional, clinical confirmation that you do have particular problems, symptoms and difficulties?