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rushed assessment

shyguy84

Got the results of my assessment back today and not satisfied that its accurate. As an adult with suspected ASD, I was referred to the learning difficulties team who didnt feel they were the people to deal with me. They had a meeting where i was brought up and this led to them doing the assessment.

During the assessment, i found the assessor often talked over me and move on to quickly not allowing me the time to explain things. After a single session she passed me on to mental health services. To me it feels like she didnt want to be dealing with an adult with possible high functioning autism, and wanted to pass me on asap.

The assessment report states that i display ASD traits in social interaction, but dont have obsesssions of fixations. Her detailed analysis of whether or not i had those obsessions of fixations consisted of the question "do you have any obsessions or fixations?", when i took a while to think about it, she quickly said "If you had them, they would be obvious", and moved on.

This resulted in an assessment report which ruled out ASD and diagnosed me with social anxiety, although it did state ASD traits in social interaction.

Given the time to think about it, i do have, and did have when i was younger things that could be considered obsessions of fixations. My early attempt at meeting women were definetly fixations and obsessions where everything i did would be focused on getting closer to that girl, and id act like a stalker ensuring that i was everywhere she was likely to be. Ive improved in that area now and although i may quickly become obsessed about one woman, i tend to hold it in and not show how obsessed i am with her. this means no stalking etc, although ill stalk her facebook page and try and deliberately be in the same place without making it obvious its intentional. For example she works in the town centre and i deliberately walk around that town centre at a time which i know is likely to be her dinner break.

I was a little slow to learn to ride a bike, but once i did, you couldnt keep my off it. The only thing i ever wanted to do was ride my bike. Id cover miles riding around the local estate, and as i got older even further. I was also obsessed with cars, and as had my first driving lesson on my 17th birthday. the earliest i legally could. Passed the theory first time but practical took 5 attempts. once i passed and was able to get a car, i brought an old banger as soon as i possibly could. It was a terrible purchase but got me my obsession as quick as possible. Over time the car replaced the bike. The car allowed me to go even further, and i didnt get soaked using it in the rain. Im still keen on my bike however the car tends to be preffered now.

Kids play with their toys in their bedroom and as a child this was totally normal. I always did this alone however. i didnt want anyone else involved. Im 31 now and this hasnt changed. Im much more secretive about it though and didnt think to mention it in the assessment. Perhaps if id had more time to think, and overcome the anxiety about mentioning it, then it would have been mentioned.

  • No AQ test and definetly not the procedure i was expecting from reading online. I dont feel she investigated far enough in specific ASD traits.

    Get the impression she was just looking to pass me onto someone else as she didnt consider me to have a learning difficulty.

    There is a place about 10 miles from me that does a 3 day screening process for adult autism. Personally i believe this is where i should have been sent to start with. Im going to try and get a referral there. Need to visit my GP anyway tomorrow as the report suggests increasing my medication.

  • As usual, Longman says the same things that I would. Please let me share my experience with you, to try and give you a comparison.

    ASD was first put to me afetr an 'incident' where a psychiatrist completely failed to listen to and understand me. I was then 'sectioned' to a mental hospital, where they drove me mental... In fact, I still obsess about the totality of wrongness I was subjected to. The psychiatrist's actions were appalling for the harm they did to me, but Longman is right, there is no real penalty.

    However, what it led to was a suggestion to me of ASD. I was given a questionairre, which I now know to have been the AQ test. Afterwards, I got on the internet, found the NAS website, and found enough information to start to relate to the condition. I then decided to avoid finding any more information, I didn't want to talk myself into having the condition, I wanted someone else to assess me as I am, and not as I might be if I took on board too many ASD traits. With hindsight I needn't have worried, but after my mistreatment I was cautious. Anyway, apparently the AQ test suggested a full assessment, and I was put on the waiting list. I was also sent some further questionairres, including one for a family member, and returned those too.

    1 year later...

    ...I went for the assessment. I chatted with the guy for 2 hours. I had no anxiety about the process and went in open-minded, yet a little hopeful that I was finally going to get the answer that I've sought all my life.

    At the end, my assessor said he was going to write to my GP and tell her that I am 'severe Asperger's', wished me luck, and off I went.

    You haven't had a proper assessment, and you should say so loud and clear at every opportunity. Please feel free to describe my experience, and how getting the diagnosis has literaly changed my world. By saying that you thought of your answers much later, that's just what I often do too. There is too much for us to work out to give an immediate answer.

    I support what Longman says and urge you to ask for a proper assessment at a recognised centre, even if you have to wait for a while. It was my GP who started the process with me, so perhaps you could start there too? I hope we're being some help to you.

  • Did you have to fill in questionnaire like AQ test that assess in detail autism characteristcs? Were these discussed during your assessments? The summary way obsessions and fixations were raised and dismissed sounds like no questionnaires were used.

    Were you asked about performance in school, especially early on - things like school reports. Did they ask for input from a parent or relative?

    It does sound like you weren't given a proper diagnosis. You have a right to ask to be referred for a proper diagnosis.

    It sounds like they gave little respect for your personal dignity during the process.

    Normally diagnosis takes ages to come through, although they may tell you informally at the assessment. This doesn't sound like a credible assessment.

    Although clinical professionals are supposed to be more autism aware, professional standards seem largely ineffectual.They risk no real penalties for professional misconduct, so they don't do their jobs properly.

    Two things here. Contact NAS Help Line for their advice on what to do next. Find out where autism diagnoses are carried out in your area (the pink and red maps on the Home and Community pages of the NAS website should enable you to search for your nearest diagnostic centre). Phone them and explain what happened to you. They may be able to intercede.