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Waiting for assessment as an adult

limetree84

I'm 31 years old and female, and recently referred myself to the adult autism diagnostic team. I've had problems with social situations for as long as I can remember - even when I was at playgroup aged 3 I remember sitting in the book corner rather than joining in with the other children because I was confused by them. I've always been really sensitive to sensory stimuli, easily overwhelmed, and obsessive. When I was younger it was all about categorising dogs, now I'm into butterflies (and when I say into, I mean I read butterfly identification books like other people read novels, heh. My partner thinks I'm odd. She's quite right!). I also have a tic disorder, so I know I have other neurodevelopmental issues, and I've had problems with depression, and eating since just before my teens. But because I come across as intelligent, people have always seemed to mistake my lack of social skills for arrogance or aloofness, because clever people aren't supposed to find 'simple' things like conversations or coping in office environments or going out on the town incredibly overwhelming and impossible. I actually really like people and wish I could make friends more easily, I just really suck at it! 

I'm really nervous about being assessed, partly because I'm so bad at communicating with people I don't know, and partly because my parents won't get involved. They are refusing to have anything to do with it because they don't want to think of anything being 'wrong' with me. I've had tics and anxiety problems since I was 4, so it shouldn't be news that I'm not neurotypical! I don't see things that way at all anyway, I just see this as a potential explanation for things I've found hard. And I also think that there are good aspects to the way my brain works. I love spotting patterns, I have a weird way with words that my partner thinks is hilarious, and I really enjoy getting absorbed in things I'm interested in.

I basically just wanted to ask if anyone could tell me a bit about the process of being assessed as an adult, and particularly if anyone has had an assessment without involving their parents, because it's really unlikely that mine are going to come around to the idea any time soon.

Parents

  • Hi Limetree84,

    Seems we're pretty much the same; I'm a 31 year old female recently diagnosed with HFA and coping with my new diagnosis is anything but easy!

    I saw a psychiatrist privately and had a few initial assessment sessions to see if I was suitable for the full assessment (at £2,000+ it's not cheap). However I was quickly identfied as having classic High Functioning Autism with the classic female trait of being able to mask my problem very very well, meaning that if you met me you'd have no clue I have autism (but much more than a scratch beneath the surface and you'd quickly see that I am not an NT!!) However, I was disuaded from paying for the full 8 week assessement for two reasons: 1) the standard autism test is geared towards children, men and low functioning autistics...of which I am none of these, and 2) as someone that is very adept at masking my problem I would almost certainly be able to 'bypass' the test and receive a negative score...leaving me with an epic waste of money.

    I apologise for not being able to help you with the actual full assessment, however I can say that in my pre-assessment the psychiatrist I saw was very helpful, engaging and we built a natural rapport quite quickly as they took the time to allow me to say what I needed to say. They asked what had led me to seek a diagnosis, what I felt my symptoms were, how they affect me in my day to day life, how I feel abut certain things, do I have many friends, how do I cope at work etc etc and as my mum was with me they went into a detailed childood history. At times I became very distressed/tearful as I could not articulate what I wanted/needed to say but the psychiatrist was very understanding and took time to let me speak/compose myself. I am now having weekly sessions with my pyschiatrist who is helping me understand my diagnosis, giving me new ways of looking at things and providing me with coping techniques for when I have a meltdown.

    I don't think I've been much help but maybe some of what I have said has been useful? Sometimes it's also just nice to know that you're not alone in all this :)

Reply

  • Hi Limetree84,

    Seems we're pretty much the same; I'm a 31 year old female recently diagnosed with HFA and coping with my new diagnosis is anything but easy!

    I saw a psychiatrist privately and had a few initial assessment sessions to see if I was suitable for the full assessment (at £2,000+ it's not cheap). However I was quickly identfied as having classic High Functioning Autism with the classic female trait of being able to mask my problem very very well, meaning that if you met me you'd have no clue I have autism (but much more than a scratch beneath the surface and you'd quickly see that I am not an NT!!) However, I was disuaded from paying for the full 8 week assessement for two reasons: 1) the standard autism test is geared towards children, men and low functioning autistics...of which I am none of these, and 2) as someone that is very adept at masking my problem I would almost certainly be able to 'bypass' the test and receive a negative score...leaving me with an epic waste of money.

    I apologise for not being able to help you with the actual full assessment, however I can say that in my pre-assessment the psychiatrist I saw was very helpful, engaging and we built a natural rapport quite quickly as they took the time to allow me to say what I needed to say. They asked what had led me to seek a diagnosis, what I felt my symptoms were, how they affect me in my day to day life, how I feel abut certain things, do I have many friends, how do I cope at work etc etc and as my mum was with me they went into a detailed childood history. At times I became very distressed/tearful as I could not articulate what I wanted/needed to say but the psychiatrist was very understanding and took time to let me speak/compose myself. I am now having weekly sessions with my pyschiatrist who is helping me understand my diagnosis, giving me new ways of looking at things and providing me with coping techniques for when I have a meltdown.

    I don't think I've been much help but maybe some of what I have said has been useful? Sometimes it's also just nice to know that you're not alone in all this :)

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