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Female 67 years old. Should I get assessment?

Ice Swimmer

Hi

I am trying to decide whether to get a formal  assessment or not.
Due to a number of events and conversation, I have reviewed my life and taken some online autism tests. In the tests I score highly. I have been shocked by how high, but I have a distrust of online tests, even though I believe I have only used ones which are offered by reputable groups with academic backing as far as I can tell.
I am 67 year old woman. If I was 20 years younger, I would definitely get tested as a diagnosis can help in the workplace. But, I am now retired and I can't help thinking that the meagre resources available should be used by those who will get the most benefit - ideally children. I have considered a private assessment but I have only seen 4 figure sums quoted, which is more than I can afford.
A diagnosis of autism would explain some character traits and a number of the difficulties I have had in life: accusations of being abrupt, finding social situations and making eye contact difficult, having hobbies, activities and interests that I focus on obsessively for a time, liking patterns which led to a love of Mathematics, being a "loner", disliking certain food combinations (e.g. custard and ice cream), meltdowns etc. It could also help with my mental health (hospitalised - including 2 sections - 4 times for extremely severe depression and anxiety + social care) and the type of support I get.
Parents

  • I was Ok with self-diagnosis for a while, but have now decided to go for it despite being 50 and not in work anyway due to physical disability. Mostly in case it might help with interactions with the health service. I am going private, but it doesn't have to be 4 figures. This place has been recommended by others on this forum, so I am hopeful it will be a good experience and much more affordable (3 figures and in the lower half of that). And it's fast, I got an appointment for a video pre-assessment 3 weeks from the day I made contact! She apparently tells you the result at the appointment, then if you want an official assessment that is a different appointment a few weeks later, but should not differ from her appraisal.

    https://www.shropshireautonomy.co.uk/autonomyplus/pre-diagnostic

Reply

  • I was Ok with self-diagnosis for a while, but have now decided to go for it despite being 50 and not in work anyway due to physical disability. Mostly in case it might help with interactions with the health service. I am going private, but it doesn't have to be 4 figures. This place has been recommended by others on this forum, so I am hopeful it will be a good experience and much more affordable (3 figures and in the lower half of that). And it's fast, I got an appointment for a video pre-assessment 3 weeks from the day I made contact! She apparently tells you the result at the appointment, then if you want an official assessment that is a different appointment a few weeks later, but should not differ from her appraisal.

    https://www.shropshireautonomy.co.uk/autonomyplus/pre-diagnostic

Children