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Advice please

NAS73738

Hi all,

First post so apologies if I get anything wrong!

I'm a 38 year old woman. I've always felt there was something different about me. After some recent issues at home and with my mental health, my partner and I started discussing whether I might have some ASD traits. He's quite experienced in mental health, and we've both passed comment on my experiences and behaviour in the past, but neither of us had taken it too seriously as I think I've learnt to mask really well without really knowing how. The more I read about it now, the.more sense it makes of my entire life. I've done some accredited screening questionnaires (AQ and EQ) and score well within the possible ASD range. We both know it's not enough for a diagnosis, but when partner was reading out the questions he was also quite surprised at how obviously me it was. 

Anyway, I'd be keen to pursue a proper assessment. Not for any other reason than to have some possible validation about all of this. Any thoughts/advice/experiences? This has all totally blown my mind to think there might have been something so clear that makes so much sense. 

  • in reply to NAS49761

    good summary

  • in reply to TJ

    agreed 

  • Hi, 

    I self referred about 5 years ago, and they sent me these tests to do. Then I got to meet someone in person to be evaluated. I found it helpful at the time to have someone who really understood what it’s like, but still felt a bit shocked to actually have a diagnosis. If you think it’s a plus to have it confirmed then go for it.

  • Hello, I was referred to MH service for long term anxiety and depression, it was one of the health professionals in this team who recognised Autistic traits and referred for an assessment, after asking me, which was a bit of a shock, but it seems the GP route is common for most people, however, if you're already involved with mental health, why don't you mention it to them, if not then GP.

    Take plenty of time to think about the reasons and be sure it's going to be right for you no matter what the outcome is, yes, you will find out and yes it may be validating for you, but there is still a lot of discrimination out there for people who have an ASD - especially women - and that includes from the very services who are meant to be there to support us, even GP's attitude toward any physical complaints will change.

    And finally, be very select with who you tell, we live in an NT world where any weakness are always taken advantage of and yes, ASD is still considered to have 'weaknesses'.

    Negative reply unfortunately but very true, wish I had someone who mentioned this to me.

  • in reply to aidie
    aidie said:
    PMing is allowed by this site again u are completley wrong and just a troll 

    It's just a complete coincidence that you're first to jump on every female poster to get them to allow you to pm them?

  • I went to the GP with a list of traits I have and where to refer me to. The GP was a young locum so that helped. They referred me to the local autism service and I was diagnosed 10 months later. This was last year. 

  • in reply to Plastic

    PMing is allowed by this site again u are completley wrong and just a troll 

  • in reply to Plastic

    go troll someone else   

  • in reply to aidie
    aidie said:

    i send this response to all people you're allegations are as usual incorrect, and offensive. Stop trolling me.

    QFT

  • in reply to aidie
    aidie said:

    you are inappropriate and very creepy.  troll someone else

    QFT

  • in reply to aidie
    aidie said:
    trolling me again 

    Call me a troll all you want if you like - your behaviour is inappropriate - and it's strange how you seem to prey on all new women directly they make a post.

    Site recommendations are to not let anyone PM until you know who the nice people and wronguns are.

  • in reply to Plastic

    i send this response to all people you're allegations are as usual incorrect, and offensive. Stop trolling me.

  • in reply to Plastic

    you are inappropriate and very creepy.  troll someone else

  • in reply to Plastic

    trolling me again 

  • in reply to Plastic

    trolling me again

  • in reply to aidie
    aidie said:
    i will send u my plan ( for NHS ) and notes in  a moment

    Again.....

  • heres the overall plan of what u do

    Make a list of reasons why u think u are autistic.

    include blood relatives in your family who are autistic or adhd or called weird/different

    and a list of occasions when u have been called weird, autistic, different

    the list should be electronic ie so you can email it to anyone who wants it.

    then approach your GP as below

  • i will send u my plan ( for NHS ) and notes in  a moment I am PMing someone in a crisis