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Failed ASD assessment - need a second opinion

rk1103

Hi, 

I had an ASD assessment 5 months ago where they decided I did not come under the "Aspergers" category even though I scored highly on most of the assessments.Some of their justifications was that I had worked before, have good qualifications, interested in sports (apparently that is not narrow or strange enough) and have done some public speaking. I find this laughable given that I have met so many people who have an aspergers diagnosis who have done all these things - in fact they are the some of the best public speakers I have seen. Its actually left my fuming for the past few months as I had to leave my job due to bullying and am currently looking to move into a new career. I have suffered from depression, OCD, social anxiety and had suicidal thoughts - the ASD assessment would have been a step in the right direction in my opinion as I know I have a lot of the traits although I am very good at masking it which makes it less obvious to people. I have been on medication and refuse to take psychological therapy as I have had years of it in the past and I think its a load of rubbish especially if one already knows what coping mechanisms to use. My depression is getting worse as a result of this failed assessment as It feels like I have robbed of something I should have been given and will have to suffer the consequences for the rest of my life - especially when finding work. 

I desperately need a diagnosis to help me with my future - I am looking to find work in the IT sector and a lot of companies do give assistance in interviews to people on the autistic spectrum. Is there any way I coud get a second assessment through the NHS or would I need to do this privately ? I am not sure my GP would refer my again given that they had received a report from the psychologists saying that I do not come under the category. Would anyone know/suggest any good private centers which have experienced psychologists specialising in ASD ?

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  • Martian Tom said:

    [quote][/quote]

    it is certainly not always an advantage to declare one's autism to potential employers as they may not understand it and may not know how to deal with it appropriately.

    ...or even if they do, or should!

    I work as a support worker with people with special needs: autism, PMLD, etc.  Most of the colleagues I work with are highly-qualified and with years of experience.  When I got my diagnosis, I informed them at work because I felt it was the right thing to do, and in case I had some problems in the future.  I didn't think it would be an issue in such a place for reasonable adjustments to be made for me.

    Generally, it's been okay.  But, as has become evident from many things I've been asked to do, I'm still expected to behave like an NT.  And certain colleagues have certainly become more 'distant' from me since they found out.  These, though, generally tend to be the ones who get impatient with the autistic clients when they behave autistically. 

    I've recently applied for a job with a regional autistic trust.  I've declared in the application that I've been diagnosed with ASD.  I'll be interested to see if I get an interview...

    Whats it like working in organisations with an understanding of autism ? Maybe I should be targetting similar places for jobs. Do you hae significant alteration to duties to suit your needs e.g avoiding customer/clients, public speaking, telephone conversation, multi-tasking, being amongst large groups of people etc  ?

    So did you have to let your whole team know about your diagnosis or just your boss ? I don't understand why somethong like that could be kept confidential between you and your boss ? If you are asked to do something autism unfriendly, you could just say its not part of your duties (i do understand that there are nasty people in some companies but im assuming you disclosed your diagnosis after experiencing what type of colleagues you were working with ?)

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  • Martian Tom said:

    [quote][/quote]

    it is certainly not always an advantage to declare one's autism to potential employers as they may not understand it and may not know how to deal with it appropriately.

    ...or even if they do, or should!

    I work as a support worker with people with special needs: autism, PMLD, etc.  Most of the colleagues I work with are highly-qualified and with years of experience.  When I got my diagnosis, I informed them at work because I felt it was the right thing to do, and in case I had some problems in the future.  I didn't think it would be an issue in such a place for reasonable adjustments to be made for me.

    Generally, it's been okay.  But, as has become evident from many things I've been asked to do, I'm still expected to behave like an NT.  And certain colleagues have certainly become more 'distant' from me since they found out.  These, though, generally tend to be the ones who get impatient with the autistic clients when they behave autistically. 

    I've recently applied for a job with a regional autistic trust.  I've declared in the application that I've been diagnosed with ASD.  I'll be interested to see if I get an interview...

    Whats it like working in organisations with an understanding of autism ? Maybe I should be targetting similar places for jobs. Do you hae significant alteration to duties to suit your needs e.g avoiding customer/clients, public speaking, telephone conversation, multi-tasking, being amongst large groups of people etc  ?

    So did you have to let your whole team know about your diagnosis or just your boss ? I don't understand why somethong like that could be kept confidential between you and your boss ? If you are asked to do something autism unfriendly, you could just say its not part of your duties (i do understand that there are nasty people in some companies but im assuming you disclosed your diagnosis after experiencing what type of colleagues you were working with ?)

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