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How do you get a "support" worker to answer your questions?

ladynicotine

I was diagnosed in March last year.  Initially the woman who did my diagnosis was very gung ho about how they were going to be able to get me lots of help, because she believed my depression & my ASD were creating some sort of feedback loop & making each other worse.

 

Unsurprisingly, she found that actually there's no money for "cross service assistance packages", & has now decided that I should go & see yet another psychologist which I don't want to do (I've explained my reasons to her, this isn't the place to go into them).  She has previously told me that she understands that I need to hear a straight answer, even if it is "I'm sorry, I don't know", & that continuing to get help from her is not dependant on doing what she wants me to do.  However, I've asked her a question by email & while she has responded in an apparently full & frank manner, she's not answered the question.  I pointed this out to her & I got another full response - but this time totally ignoring any reference to the question, & rehashing the theme of "I think you should see a psychologist".

 

All I want is for her to ask the question I've answered - is there any way I can force her to do this?

Parents

  • You need to find yourself an advocate, someone with expertise who can come to meetings with you and ask questions on your behalf. Is there a NAS or independent parents' group in your area (try searching the pink and red map on the home and community pages of the NAS website for resources in your area)?

    Although your particular need is different from their primary purpose, they often have reference books and sometimes a staff member with expertise. They may use an advocacy service they can pass you on to.

    I have been trying unsuccessfully to chase up citizens advocacy groups - these function to help people with a learning difficulty or mental health problem by providing volunteer advocates to speak up for individuals struggling with the system. Unfortunately many of them are ignorant about autism. However they may be contactable via your local social services department.

    It isn't right that you are being left to make sense of these "buck passing" professionals.

    However it may be you are contacting the wrong people, and they are trying to be helpful when out of their depth. That's why a local NAS group or an advocacy group may be able to help.

    The other option is a volunteer disability service, often they are linked to Shopmobility centres, but don't just act for wheelchair users. Again they aren't always good on autism, but they might have someone they know who could help. Also if you are near a university or teacher training college and they have a Special Needs Education Team, sometimes they are helpful.

Reply

  • You need to find yourself an advocate, someone with expertise who can come to meetings with you and ask questions on your behalf. Is there a NAS or independent parents' group in your area (try searching the pink and red map on the home and community pages of the NAS website for resources in your area)?

    Although your particular need is different from their primary purpose, they often have reference books and sometimes a staff member with expertise. They may use an advocacy service they can pass you on to.

    I have been trying unsuccessfully to chase up citizens advocacy groups - these function to help people with a learning difficulty or mental health problem by providing volunteer advocates to speak up for individuals struggling with the system. Unfortunately many of them are ignorant about autism. However they may be contactable via your local social services department.

    It isn't right that you are being left to make sense of these "buck passing" professionals.

    However it may be you are contacting the wrong people, and they are trying to be helpful when out of their depth. That's why a local NAS group or an advocacy group may be able to help.

    The other option is a volunteer disability service, often they are linked to Shopmobility centres, but don't just act for wheelchair users. Again they aren't always good on autism, but they might have someone they know who could help. Also if you are near a university or teacher training college and they have a Special Needs Education Team, sometimes they are helpful.

Children
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