Published on 12, July, 2020
I'm a 47 year old female and I've struggled pretty much all my life because of traits that I believe are associated with ASD. I have been to my GP twice and they have referred me for assessment for ASD but the referral was rejected and returned to the GP both times. I was never given a reason. (I wasn't even told I was rejected either - I had to chase that information!)
I saw the mental health nurse at the GP surgery once and I did the AQ questionnaire and scored high. The nurse said I've probably got Asperger's. That's the closest I have got to a diagnosis.
I noticed on here other people are getting referred for official diagnosis successfully, albeit you're having to wait years. I don't understand why I've been unsuccessful. Does anyone have an pointers for me please? Many thanks...
How far did you get with the assessment process?
When my GP referred me, I got a letter with questions to answer about my life and a few symptoms and then I had to send that off to the specialist.
Did you receive that letter?
Also I'm pretty sure Aspergers is the same as Autism, but I try not to use that label as it has negative connotations.
I would keep trying if you really want a diagnosis, but self diagnosis is valid!
Hi, thanks so much for your answer.
No, I didn't receive the letter with questions.
Thank you for your encouraging comment about self-diagnosis being valid. However, I feel that only my mum and my partner (who know me best) take my traits into consideration and give me a bit of slack. Other people, e.g. work colleagues and even my sister, who I am sadly estranged from, just find me odd, immature and generally quite difficult to deal with at times.
I've mentioned to my sister in the past that I think I may be on the spectrum and she agreed because of the things she remembers I did as a child, eg. remembering dates of birth, phone numbers, makes of cars just by the shape of their headlights in the dark, car number plates and my synethesia, etc,etc. But as I said, we're estranged and I believe it's because she not only finds me insufferable but she's resentful of me because my parents have supported me through decades of depression and meltdowns. It's so painful that she doesn't want a relationship with me. Maybe if I had an official diagnosis she might take me more seriously and cut me some slack.
I can absolutely see where you're coming from and that is a very understandable reason as to why you'd want a formal diagnosis.
I really do hope things work out for you and you can build a better relationship with your sister!
You seem like a lovely person, sometimes neurotypical people just cannot understand us. We can't get along with everyone, and I can't say I particularly like/get along with even my own family members, however one would hope that if you are able to explain your behaviour with a diagnosis then she may feel differently!
Good luck :)
Thank you so much for understanding me and for your kind words. You made me cry! xx