NHS autism assessment, December 2015

classic codger said:

Sorry, couldn't help it, but it is an interesting train.

Yes, I like the shinkansen train. You are right. It is an interesting train.

Sorry, couldn't help it, but it is an interesting train.

Thank you for contributions to thread. The NHS unit who arranging this tell me that the assessment will last 2-3 hours.

"Classic Codger" - yes, I am shinkansen because of my lifelong interest in trains and the Japanese bullet train. 

Hi shinkansen

Hmm, bullet points from our train of thoughts huh? LOL!

My assessment went pretty much the same as Asparagus', and I echo everything said. I did no research beforehand because, in my case, I was afraid of 'colouring' the interview and wanted it to be as honest as possible, if that makes sense?

I had the same questionnaires, and then went for the interview. It lasted two hours, it wasn't 'initial' it was THE assessment. It seemed to me to be just a two-hour chat, at the end of which I was told I was definitely on the spectrum and quite severely affected. To this day, I have no idea where that stands on whatever scale these things are measured on, but again, I'm the same as everyone else - I'm a 'me' and it didn't change me, but it certainly changed the way that this 'me' saw my past, present and future.

The most significant thing for me was finding out who I am, and then being pointed towards this site where I have found my community at last.

The term 'Asperger's' is a bit out of date, the diagnosis should just be 'autism spectrum disorder/condition' although, as Hope says, it is sometimes a useful shorthand for us to use.

The best thing I think you can do is just be relaxed about the whole thing. It's a dynamic interview along general lines rather than a 'fixed' process, and like snowflakes, no two interviews will be identical.

My understanding is that Asperger's and Autism are both the same thing. Asperger's does not even exist as a diagnosis anymore, but is still a useful shorthand to describe someone with Autism who has reasonably good verbal ability and no intellectual impairment, although learning difficulties may be present. 

I was diagnosed with Asperger's, High Functioning Autism and Atypical Autism, all in the same report!! They are just different terms to describe my Autism. I am not sure what the Atypical meant, it was not explained.

Are we allowed to comment on our own assessments?

I only say this because I know myself I decided to go into the assessment having doing a very tiny amount of research and came across the sentence, Autism affects us all in unique ways. Therefore I knew it was no point being anything else other than yourself.

Please delete this part if we not allowed to share. Previous to the assessment I was sent  questionnaire which because my mum is still alive, she had a part to complete too. She came with me to the first assessment. That lasted for about two hours. It goes into history of you as a person. If you still have them they would like to see school reports and everything you have of that nature. If you can anyone with you that can talk about you as a child and what you were like etc.  Then another part of the assessment, what happened for me is that they saw my mum seperate from me which made it easier all round as I didn't have to hear anything perhaps too...  So I don't know what questions they asked her. Then at my second assessment. I was asked to play.  It may seem a bit much at 45 year old to do story telling and playing with puzzles and things, but it a universal way they can use for the assessment. I won't tell you what I played at, but it was play. It was far easier than the first session for me. But almost challenging in different ways.

It may depend on what assessments they use.

Actually I had a final assessment at which the main diagnosis docter was at and he asked me questions which lasted for about half an hour. He was there to tell me my diagnosis. Right at the beginning I was warned I may not get the diagnosis I am looking for. Most people don't. The Doctor is present for the final diagnosis because he is very good at signposting if the diagnosis isn't what was hoping for.

I was lucky because they had referred me for Aspergers. It wasn't Asperger's but Autism. Am2/3rds Autistic and PDD - NOS.  I was very relieved as that was enough for me to get me the help I needed. I had heard about Autism traits. And after the assesments I had caught up on all reading and I fitted the female autism very much and at the follow up sessions I was also told all this. It helps me enormously

Actually, I did wonder about including the name of the hospital. But understand your reasons to remove that detail. 

Thanks for the links and guidance.

Hi shinkansen1966,

I've just removed the name of the hospital because we try to avoid naming specific services in the community, this is by no means a critcism

You may find it helpful to look at our pages on diagnosis if you haven't already done so. Alternatively, if you would like to speak to someone you can contact us on our helpline which you can also email.

I hope that this helps you but if not please don't hesitate to contact us.

Sofie Mod