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Funding Cut

Crumble

Hello,

I'm 30 years old and have been struggling significantly with my mental health for nearly 2 years.

After being hospitalised 3 times last year I am now working with a psychologist at my CMHT on a weekly basis. The psychiatrist has asked him to consider underlying issues as my depression/anxiety do not seem to improve, but are very reactive to current circumstances.

Four weeks ago he referred me for an ASD assessment, suspecting that as my problems go back as long as I can remember that I may have High Functioning Autism (Aspergers).

However, I have since heard that the funding has been removed for adult assessment.

What do I do now?

I can't find any info online about who to be asked to be referred to now. If I can't be assessed on NHS,  how do I go about getting a private assessment?

Thanks for reading.

  • Hi,

    I've done a 'triple A' assessment with my psychologist and score quite highly - hence the referral.

    I understand what you are saying about treatment. I think CMHT are only now looking at underlying causes... originally they looked at personality disorder; but apparently I don't present typically for that.

    Thank you for the book recommendation. I recently read 'pretending to be normal' which I could relate to in almost every way. I found that both comforting and frustrating at the same time.

    Regards

    Crumble

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Ok, that makes some sort of sense although I am confused by the way that the CMHT are treating you. I was under the impression that mental health treatment would be different for someone with autism and that they would need to identify whether or not you were autistic before they would be able to decide how best to treat you.

    Have you done the free online test aspergerstest.net/.../ ? This gives a reasonably reliable suggestion of whether you might be on the spectrum.

    When I suspected that I was on the spectrum I read a book "Living well on the spectrum" by Valerie Gaus. I identified with much of the description of the way ASD people think and it agreed with my suspicions. It also provides a positive way of dealing with the condition. I recommend the book highly.

  • Hello Socks,

    The psychologist I have seen at CMHT has referred me for assessment/diagnosis as we have discussed many of my 'traits' and the pro's and cons of having a diagnosis. He asked if I would want to be referred and I do. I want a definitive 'answer.'

    However, when I saw him last he said that the original person (I assume within CMHT) that he referred me to has said that they no longer carry out assessment due to cuts in funding. 

    I am still in the care of CMHT and it is my understanding that even if I was diagnosed officially I'd still be under their care 'whilst at risk'.

    I just want a definitive answer. I think only then will I be able to begin to accept myself and start to recover my life. 

    Thank you for replying to my post.

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Hi Crumble,

    I am struggling to understand exactly what is going on with your situation. Have they refused to perform an assessment because of a funding cut? Surely you are still in the care of the CMHT until they resolve your problems.

    Ultimately, your GP can refer you to a private hospital for diagnosis at your expense but you are entitled to be referred to NHS specialists if you have a condition that requires treatment. The NHS route may involve waiting lists etc but they should accept responsibility for your health.

  • Hi Crumble, Welcome to the NAS Community forum,

    Please take a look at the page the link below takes you to, and see if there is anything useful to take back to your G.P to help more towards a formal assessment on there,

    www.autism.org.uk/.../how-do-i-get-a-diagnosis.aspx

    Kind regards,

    Coco (Moderator)