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“I’m an adult in England, I think I might be autistic, how do I get an assessment?”
Personal reflections based on my autism assessment in Nov 2018.
#adult
#autism
#autistic
#assessment
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“I’m an adult in England, I think I might be autistic, how do I get an assessment?”
Personal reflections based on my autism assessment in Nov 2018.
#adult
#autism
#autistic
#assessment
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The first thing to say is that you can be autistic without anyone giving you a clinical diagnosis.
Some people self-identify or choose to be assessed by a non-clinical expert.
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Some people self-identify or choose to be assessed by a non-clinical expert.
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For me, it was helpful going through my life story with psychological support.
I also wanted a formal diagnosis to help ensure accommodations would be made for me in the future.
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I also wanted a formal diagnosis to help ensure accommodations would be made for me in the future.
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You still have rights if you self identify as autistic, but diagnosis is required in some settings.
Being openly autistic has downsides. People are prejudiced. You may be assumed to be less capable or pleasant.
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Being openly autistic has downsides. People are prejudiced. You may be assumed to be less capable or pleasant.
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If you go down the formal diagnostic route be aware it’s a medical, deficit-based process.
You may come out of it feeling there’s quite a lot wrong with you simply because of how it’s framed.
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You may come out of it feeling there’s quite a lot wrong with you simply because of how it’s framed.
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In spite of the downsides an autism diagnosis can be liberating because it explains so much.
Expect to spend the next few years reviewing your life and having lots of ‘a-ha’ moments.
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Expect to spend the next few years reviewing your life and having lots of ‘a-ha’ moments.
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Speaking personally autism diagnosis can lead to self-forgiveness and self-compassion.
It can also reduce anxiety and stress by increasing insight and awareness of the need for self-care.
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It can also reduce anxiety and stress by increasing insight and awareness of the need for self-care.
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Accessing autism assessment through the NHS in England usually involves getting a referral from your GP.
Given the pressure services are under it’s worth planning how to make a good case.
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Given the pressure services are under it’s worth planning how to make a good case.
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Reading NICE guidance GPs follow when referring adults for autism assessment will tell you what they should consider.
You may want to complete the AQ-10 autism screening tool (available free online) and write down some life experiences that suggest you may be autistic.
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You may want to complete the AQ-10 autism screening tool (available free online) and write down some life experiences that suggest you may be autistic.
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Because autism exists from birth an important part of autism assessment involves infancy and childhood.
It’s helpful to consider early indications of autism and talk to anyone who remembers you as a child. Do you have autistic relatives, diagnosed or not? It’s ‘heritable’.
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It’s helpful to consider early indications of autism and talk to anyone who remembers you as a child. Do you have autistic relatives, diagnosed or not? It’s ‘heritable’.
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Some GPs may be particularly interested in any difficulties you are experiencing in your life now that might relate to being autistic.
Pressure on resources means people are sometimes expected to justify requests for referral to specialist services.
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Pressure on resources means people are sometimes expected to justify requests for referral to specialist services.
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If your GP agrees to refer you the next step is to join a waiting list. Waiting times vary according to area. You may want to ask about this.
In some places there’s a triage stage, a pre-assessment before rejoining the waiting list. There’s no standard process nationwide.
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In some places there’s a triage stage, a pre-assessment before rejoining the waiting list. There’s no standard process nationwide.
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Autism assessments vary, even though they are based on the same criteria. Some people are assessed by one clinician, others are assessed by a team.
Assessment can happen on one day, or over a period of time. You may want to ask what your assessment will actually involve.
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Assessment can happen on one day, or over a period of time. You may want to ask what your assessment will actually involve.
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Another route is paying for a private assessment. I did this because I was in urgent need of assessment and waiting lists were so long.
I did a lot of research to find an assessment service I had confidence in. I wanted to be sure that I could rely on their conclusions.
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I did a lot of research to find an assessment service I had confidence in. I wanted to be sure that I could rely on their conclusions.
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The assessment I had was carried out by clinicians who work for the NHS, and also run a not-for-profit specialist autism service.
My assessment was tailor-made and more detailed than is possible in some NHS settings.
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My assessment was tailor-made and more detailed than is possible in some NHS settings.
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Whatever route you take, the result is the same - an assessment of whether or not you meet the criteria for an autism diagnosis.
I was told the outcome in a face to face meeting and given a letter confirming my diagnosis. A copy of the letter was also sent to my GP.
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I was told the outcome in a face to face meeting and given a letter confirming my diagnosis. A copy of the letter was also sent to my GP.
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After a couple of weeks I received a draft report which I was able to comment on and correct before it was finalised.
I also requested a summary version of my diagnostic report, excluding more personal information, to share with people like employers.
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I also requested a summary version of my diagnostic report, excluding more personal information, to share with people like employers.
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People who go down a non-clinical autism assessment route often say how empowering it is.
As well as focusing on difficulties associated with being autistic, there’s a lot of emphasis on positive identity and strengths.
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As well as focusing on difficulties associated with being autistic, there’s a lot of emphasis on positive identity and strengths.
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Some people are content to self-identify, recognising that they are autistic but not needing to have this formally assessed.
Speaking personally, validation can come from simply spending time with other autistic people, and feeling a sense of belonging and being accepted.
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Speaking personally, validation can come from simply spending time with other autistic people, and feeling a sense of belonging and being accepted.
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Here are some links:
NICE guidance on identification and assessment https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG142/chapter/1-Guidance#identification-and-assessment
AQ-10 screening test https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142/resources/autism-spectrum-quotient-aq10-test-pdf-186582493
This autistic traits checklist was helpful too (scroll down)
http://www.myspectrumsuite.com/samantha-crafts-autistic-traits-checklist/
Do add your own experiences or ask questions.
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NICE guidance on identification and assessment https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG142/chapter/1-Guidance#identification-and-assessment
AQ-10 screening test https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142/resources/autism-spectrum-quotient-aq10-test-pdf-186582493
This autistic traits checklist was helpful too (scroll down)
http://www.myspectrumsuite.com/samantha-crafts-autistic-traits-checklist/
Do add your own experiences or ask questions.
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