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New to this need advice

alterpop

Hi,

So i'm 42 years old and have recently discovered I am PDA autistic and ADHD.

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a teenager but my Mum kinda dismissed it and wouldn't take it further.

I've had a tough life with lots of drug addiction and drinking and trying to cope in a world that doesn't make a lot of sense.

I got clean in June this year finally and since then my neurodivergent traits have gone through the roof.

They've always been there but recently they've been very intense. I basically grew up with people telling me I was awkward, difficult, badly behaved and lots of other things but I realise now that wasn't the case. I'm currently waiting on an assessment so I can get some help and advice on how to cope with all this but wondered what I can do waiting for that and what I can expect with it etc. It's all very new to me all this in the sense i've spent my life feeling like I don't 'get' the world and now it kinda makes sense after reading about PDA. It was like reading about something someone had written about me as a prank it was spot on, it freaked me out but I now have a kinda map to how I feel. Anyway rant over, hope it all makes sense.

A

Parents

  • Hi and welcome to the community! Wave

    You might find the advice in the NAS's diagnosis hub helpful, including:

    NAS - What can I do while waiting for an autism assessment?

    NAS - What happens during an autism assessment

    This article might also be helpful - it covers demand avoidance in the context of autism:

    NAS - Demand avoidance

    alterpop said:
    I'm currently waiting on an assessment

    If you are not already on this particular pathway and you live in England, then you might like to consider asking your GP to re-refer you using the Right to Choose pathway (RTC). 

    In England (only), this enables access to certain, approved, private autism assessment providers who typically have much shorter waiting lists than the NHS, but with your referral and assessment still fully funded by the NHS. You don't need to provide a reason; it's a legal right (that being said, avoiding a longer waiting time is a very good reason).

    For example, if you were to choose Psychiatry UK, their process is explained here. You can prepare the required materials - an AQ-10 form and accompanying letter - and use them to request the re-referral:

    Psychiatry UK - Right to Choose Autism Assessments > How to apply

    Their website advises that their waiting time for adult RTC assessments is currently up to four months.

    More information is available here:

    NAS - How to request an autism assessment

    There's a list of RTC providers for autism at the bottom of this page, for example:

    NHS Sussex - NHS Right to Choose: for Autism and ADHD Assessment

  • in reply to Bunny

    Hi,

    Thanks so much for all that advice, it's a lot to take in.

    I think I am on that RTC pathway thing to be honest.

    I got an email saying that I am on a list and they said about the right to choose scheme. I got an email off them in August saying that I was on the list waiting. My GP actually FORGOT to refer me when he initially said he had and then almost six months later realised but apologised profusely and then referred me. It's just really hard when it's just me trying to sort it all out and keep on top of it all. I'll get there i'm sure i'll get sorted. I'm currently unemployed and want to get back to work but don't want to go back into the loop of working without support as i've always messed things up in the past. With my PDA I don't want to be forced into a job which is wrong for me and i'm also incredibly self conscious of being accepted as i'm so late in life realising this. Like I say i've spent my whole life being told i'm weird and awkward but I want some validation to what i'm sure is going on if that makes sense? Anyway thanks again for the advice. 

    A

Reply
  • in reply to Bunny

    Hi,

    Thanks so much for all that advice, it's a lot to take in.

    I think I am on that RTC pathway thing to be honest.

    I got an email saying that I am on a list and they said about the right to choose scheme. I got an email off them in August saying that I was on the list waiting. My GP actually FORGOT to refer me when he initially said he had and then almost six months later realised but apologised profusely and then referred me. It's just really hard when it's just me trying to sort it all out and keep on top of it all. I'll get there i'm sure i'll get sorted. I'm currently unemployed and want to get back to work but don't want to go back into the loop of working without support as i've always messed things up in the past. With my PDA I don't want to be forced into a job which is wrong for me and i'm also incredibly self conscious of being accepted as i'm so late in life realising this. Like I say i've spent my whole life being told i'm weird and awkward but I want some validation to what i'm sure is going on if that makes sense? Anyway thanks again for the advice. 

    A

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