I just dont know what I have done wrong!.

Bunny 

thank you 

Professor Precise-a-bug   I'm just replying to bump my previous reply to you. I suspect you may not have seen it yet, because it was initially quarantined (following a minor edit) before being released earlier today.

I’m sorry to hear that your communication support needs have been so badly misunderstood by your GP surgery.

I’m even more sorry that, upon sharing this example with all of us here in the NAS forum (of all places), you’ve been met with what might feel like another judgemental, ableist, and/or critical response (not dissimilar, in nature, to how your GP surgery has perhaps treated you), including:

Iain said:

Using your autism as an excuse here is giving us other autists a bad reputation I'm afraid.

Unfortunately, levels of understanding of autism can vary a lot, even here among forum members. Over time, I’ve seen that some seem to have little appreciation of how much more difficult autism can make life for those whose support needs are higher than what they themselves experience or are familiar with.

What you described seems, to me, to be a clear example of how some of our core autistic traits (eg having an abnormal social approach and/or rigid thinking patterns) can be very problematic for us in daily life - especially when the people we’re talking to don’t know enough about the nature and levels our needs. I can’t begin to imagine how upset you must feel about being excluded from the practice.

You might find the advice here helpful:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/feedback-and-complaints/complaint/

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/what-is-pals-patient-advice-and-liaison-service/

she did not see the booking system is not working. She did not say I’m sorry I’m not allowed to do that. She said I can’t do it in the way that implied she did not have the ability to do it and was in the wrong job. 

Professor Precise-a-bug said:

Quite frankly that is discrimination as a consequence of someone being autistic.

I would say that you were discriminating against the receptionist for accusing her of being mentally deficient.

She didn't say she didn't know how to do it, just that she couldn't (eg maybe the diary was offline so she couldn't see tha availability, maybe her computer was down, maybe the doctor was unavailable etc).

To insult someone like you did is socially unacceptable. You could have asked her why she could not book it but instead chose to insult instead - do you see where you have broken the rules of what is acceptable?

Using your autism as an excuse here is giving us other autists a bad reputation I'm afraid.

Sorry to hear that that's so unfair. 

I was removed from the local GP surgery because I was described as being unacceptably challenging. To give an example, I phoned up the surgery and asked to make an appointment with the doctor. The receptionist said I can't do that.  In my blunt autistic way I asked if she was stupid. To me it is very simple, the job of the receptionist is extremely easy. When someone asked to see the doctor, you look on the diary and identify the next available appointment. Yet my blunt response was deemed to be justification to exclude me from the service.

Quite frankly that is discrimination as a consequence of someone being autistic. 

I took your advice contacted the early intervention team who then spoke to the cmht. So gone around in a circle. 

The best way to arrange that is by emailing the community’s moderation team here: 

CommunityManager@nas.org.uk

Keep in mind that they might not check that email account until tomorrow (Monday).

I need my account and all posts removed please.

Unknown said:

Update.  My local MP 'Anna' is going to take on my case and the East Cornwall early intervention team are going to contact me today.

This sounds very encouraging; I hope the situation improves for you very soon. x

Hoping you will be rewarded with some progress (or, at the very least; some further clarification or information).

Update.  My local MP 'Anna' is going to take on my case and the East Cornwall early intervention team are going to contact me today.

Thanks very much. So helpful. My memory is shocking I forget to explain myself properly. Re. My comment police cmht etc. I believe unless I get on the wrong side of the railings of the tamar bridge for example and threatened to jump no one will ever believe me that I'm struggling. I'm living on a knife edge. 

(I am not a Clinician, and I am not giving medical advice, but I am reflecting upon our Family's lived experience).

If it is the first time of treatment by NHS mental health services for hearing voices and you are between the ages of 14 to 65, you can contact your County's Early Intervention Service. 

Cornwall has two hubs (one for the West and one for the East).  Although it might be more common for your GP to make the referral, in Cornwall they also accept self-referral (there is a form).

https://www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/early-intervention-in-psychosis/

Although I don't quite understand your comment about "cmht police etc want me to try something very dangerous".  (That is your personal mental health business and decision, so I am not asking you to explain that here = do maintain your confidentiality on that point).  What I can say: is that if you were to speak with the Early Intervention Team, usually, I would expect them to listen to you, discuss things with you, they will suggest a range of health tests to help shortlist what might be going on in your case, present to you options and their recommendations and then you make choices as the Service User. 

If I were you, I would, each time you talk to someone from that Team (and the Clinicians they arrange to help with the health tests - who might be at your GP surgery or your local General Hospital); remind them that you are experiencing hearing voices other people cannot hear, it is impacting how you live your life, you are concerned that your GP is new to you, and that you are Autistic (then gently remind them of the reasonable adjustments which might help you to best navigate healthcare settings and communication styles).

To help take some emotion out of the equation (reduce having to keep re-explaining yourself - which some people can find triggering / frustrating / invalidating / exhausting), it can be helpful to fill out an Autism or Neurodivergent health passport.

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/my-health-passport

If you are worried / nervous / need more information about attending an appointment at Hospital for a health test suggested by the Early Intervention Service, you can contact the Learning Disabilities and Autism, Acute Liaison Team who can help Patients attending Hospital.  This webpage is a bit of a jumble of too many different Team / Groups,  but if you search in the page for the second time "Jane Rees" appears - you can find that Team's contact details:

https://royalcornwallhospitals.nhs.uk/your-care/safeguarding/#nhs-block-anchor-6

For many people, it is possible that a plan of treatment means they will no longer hear unwanted voices which other people cannot hear.  It might take quite some time for that change to happen - so please give it the required treatment and time a chance to work (the Early Intervention Service will be able to offer guidance on the average experience they hope will be applicable).

For a smaller group of people the help they receive means the impact of unwanted voices on their life can be lessened and they can be taught a range of techniques to better manage their experience of hearing unwanted voices.

If the help were to be available to you; I would encourage you to explore it - to at least find out what they might be able to offer you.  Then you can make an informed decision about treatment.

My concern is; that the way the CMHT / Police etc. may have introduced or described it might possibly not have been the best summary (because they don't actually provide the service). 

If you are eligible to discuss it with the Early Intervention Service Team - you might find their approach is actually something with which you personally are prepared to engage and benefit.

I believe in order to gain the mental health support I need. The services cmht police etc want me to try something very dangerous so they know I'm not lying about hearing voices. They are challenging me.

Update.

I tried to take my mind off things by going out. But mentally I'm unstable. I waited at the bus stop for the bus but couldn't get on. My confidence has gone. Now sadly I'm really considering taking one final step. The CMHT called offering an appointment in March. Am worn out with everything. 

PALS might be faster. It's less formal than  complaint to the ICB but they can act faster because their process is informal.

Thanks, Thats very nice. I appreciate that.