Hello, I'm attempting to get an assessment for ASD but have been running into some problems.
I'm at university and it was mentioned by some fellow students and lecturers that I display a lot of autistic behaviours. (I'm studying a healthcare subject and some of the lecturers are doctors.) They recommended that I see my GP and get a referral for an assessment. This is where I've run into the problem.
As advised on these forums and on the website I went to the GP armed with notes about my behaviours that other have noted as odd. I also provided a completed AQ-10 assessment (8/10, above 6 should be referred for diagnosis according to NICE guidelines). We had a quick chat, and I'm quite frustrated at the attitude and ignorance that was displayed.
I was first told by the GP that it was up to the university to deal with the referral and assessment if they picked it up and wanted me to get a diagnosis. I pointed out that following NICE guidelines it's up to the GP to refer for assessment since I am not currently being seen by a psychiatrist and confirmed prior to the appointment that it was up to the GP to do this.
I was then told that I couldn't possibly have ASD as I'm a female and I've managed to pass an interview and get onto a rather intensive healthcare course. I pointed out that I know of at least 4 people on the course who have confirmed diagnosis of ASD (3 women) and they also passed the interview and are doing well on the course.
I was then told that I had good eye contact and didn't have a monotonous voice and had friends, so autism was very unlikely and that my problems are just my depression and social anxiety acting up again. To be fair, yes, this probably doesn't help the issue, but I know it's more than just depression and social anxiety. (I struggle with understanding jokes, sarcasm, my body language is off, and I always have to rehearse conversations before starting them. There are more examples, but I won't go into them here.)
The GP also mentioned that in this area the mental health team who handle the adult diagnosis refuse all adult diagnosis requests as they believe the diagnosis should have been made in childhood. If it was missed then clearly the person isn't having problems and as no services are available, there is no point in doing an assessment and getting a diagnosis.
The GP recommended that if I wanted a diagnosis then I should go private - a cost that as a student I cannot afford.
I do want a diagnosis, I've spoken to disability services at the university and there are things they can do to help me. I've been temporarily assigned a mental health mentor, who has been wonderful! We've worked on how to deal with patients and different novel situations and it's been so helpful. Unfortunately, the university would like me to get DSA to help support the cost of these sessions. For that I need a diagnosis.
I live in Coventry, so does anyone know of any services that can help in the area or have any experience of getting a diagnosis in this area?
Sorry for the long post, I'm just incredibly frustrated.
