GPs using an out of date assessment process??

When my girlfriend spoke to her GP about her possibly having ASD the doctor asked her to fill out a questionnaire which was a series of tick boxes based on a scoring system. I was dumbfounded.

Consequently it was rejected once referred even though the score was high suggesting ASD. I think the Dr was more shocked that the process she followed was rejected.

Unlike my girlfriend when I had my diagnosis prior to her, I did what I always do. As a man unable to articulate in words properly I wrote my own 3 page letter describing my problems and experiences which was consequently accepted straight away.

Second time around she then followed the same process as me and it went through the second time and was subsequently accepted by the assessment team. 

So is the NHS team following an out of date process? 

Has anyone else had a similar issue?