Struggling to find a private practitioner

Hi,

I've chosen to pursue the route of private diagnosis for various reasons.

I've read around this community extensively and have found the advice and resources to be very useful. I've tried to shortlist practitioners in my area from the BPS but 1/6 actually picked up, and she wasn't a registered clinical psychologist or psychiatrist and unable to diagnose.

Can anyone help to point me in the direction of a practitioner on Beds, Herts, Cambs or Northants? Or even Bucks? Or central London. I work in central London and currently live in Beds.

As an aside, after speaking to me for approximately 1 minute, she commented 'well your communication skills are really rather good, so I'm not sure if I would be worried if I was you.. I mean that's one of the things, communication.' I felt utterly belitted - she doesn't me or know why, at nearly 27, I have come to the conclusion to pursue diagnosis. This sort of thing makes me quite afraid about encountering a practitioner who does not delve beneath the surface. Yes, my rational, intellectual communication skills are exceptionally good - everyone has a skill, and I've made a career out of mind. But to imply that means I don't have Asperger's? Unbelievable. I've also benfited from an exceptionally patient mother who spent my childhood explaining and explaining and explaining things to me, again and again. I fear this makes me a particularly difficult case to 'spot' but I have many reasons to believe I do have it.

Thank you

Steph

Parents
  • Hi sep,

    You may have tried this already but have you called the Autism Helpline? They can help advise about independent diagnosticians.

    You can call them on 0808 800 4104 and they are open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. 

    You could also, again if you haven't already, have a look on the Autism Services Directory, which can be found at www.autism.org.uk/directory. Click on the 'assessment and diagnosis' thread and you can narrow your search by area. You might need to be a bit patient with the site, it can sometimes be a bit slow.

    Take care,

    Adél, NAS moderator

Reply
  • Hi sep,

    You may have tried this already but have you called the Autism Helpline? They can help advise about independent diagnosticians.

    You can call them on 0808 800 4104 and they are open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. 

    You could also, again if you haven't already, have a look on the Autism Services Directory, which can be found at www.autism.org.uk/directory. Click on the 'assessment and diagnosis' thread and you can narrow your search by area. You might need to be a bit patient with the site, it can sometimes be a bit slow.

    Take care,

    Adél, NAS moderator

Children
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