Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone, I'm new here so thought I'd do an introduction!
For background I'm 25 and married to my wonderful husband (30), and I'm the owner of a beautiful ex-racing greyhound called Isaac. Kpop (Ateez for any fellow fans!) and Pokemon are my main interests, but also medical conditions/medicine in general and the books of Anne Rice. Like many of you I've been recycled through the mental health system many times since my early teens with diagnoses that went only partway towards explaining my skills, challenges and profile as a person. My latest dx a few years ago was inconclusive, highlighting a few EUPD traits. Didn't seem right to me. Did a lot of research, talked to husband and friends, had multiple epiphanies I concluded autism seemed like a definite possibility.
Knowing that the NHS waiting list is a total hellfire right now, I decided I would seek a private autism assessment. I found the right place to assess me in October, and have completed an initial childhood developmental questionnaire with them (my mother also completed one). After speaking to the person assessing me on several screening calls, and going through my childhood information together, she concluded that that I would likely meet the criteria for diagnosis. We agreed that I should undergo a full assessment and it's in 4 weeks' time.
I'm unbelievably nervous!
It's taking place over zoom for pandemic reasons. I'm both happy and worried about this. I found our initial phonecalls very challenging - on the screening calls I clammed up, got tearful at points, she had to repeat herself quite a lot, all the good stuff.
I don't hold up well when I'm being asked lots of questions and tend to panic-answer, or freeze up.The full assessment will be underpinned by the DISCO format and for obvious reasons there isn't much info I can see online that will tell me what it entails, and the lack of ability to plan ahead is driving me mad. I've compiled pages and pages of notes so hopefully I can refer back to those if I freeze up and can't talk. Still, I'm really happy to have even gotten this far, and be taking steps towards understanding a lot more about myself.
Anyways, hello, nice to meet you. Looking forward to getting more involved and hopefully I'll be able to post a positive update after my assessment in February
Hi! Yes, that's a big reason why I making such a huge document, lots to be able to refer to and a big summary of my history should I ever need it.
Thank you for the warm welcome!
Welcome. Professionals are used to this and if my experience is any guide they make it really easy. Totally relaxed. There's no reason to be nervous, it isn't a test that you have to pass, it's just a little process that may tell you a little about how to manage your life more effectively. If it turns out you're on spectrum, well, at least it's confirmed and you can move forward from a more informed base! Wishing you well!
Hello.
I wrote reams too. Didn't need them for the referral request or the assessment. Invaluable to self, handy to have to refer to in the unlikely event they are needed.
Hiya.. I said Hi to my assessment, put my phone down looking at the ceiling.. and just popped into view now and again.. it may help relax.
Hi, welcome to the forum !
Goodluck with your assesment, hope it all goes well. I have had many times during my assesment and in reguards to support, I have been asked questions and I then completely freeze and want to cry in the middle of it like you have experienced. If you recive a full diagnosis I congratulate you and it should give you reassurance and extra support if you need because a diagnosis is great to ensure you have a good understanding of yourself and others too. It was nice to learn a bit about you.
MJFR :]
Welcome to this Forum