Assessments

[jb68]

Hi everyone,
I had a question I am hoping people can help with. I had an initial assessment with a clinical psychologist yesterday looking into possible ASD and ADD assessments. I have been referred for an adult ADD assessment through the NHS but it is months away so was looking at going private. I have read about ASD and done a number of screening tests on aspietests.org (AQ test is 38) which all suggest ASD may be something to look into. I suffer from depression and anxiety (I have a diagnosis of bi-polar from a private psychiatrist but it's disputed by the NHS) and OCD which has lead me to the ADD assessment initially.

At the meeting we discussed my situation in some detail but didn't go into specifics about ADD or ASD really. It was more general although the psychologist did ask about childhood issues, development problems, problems at school etc. I didn't have a lot of issues as a child, a bit of bullying and lots of moving schools as my parents moved around a lot but generally it was OK. If I were to mention ADD or ASD my parents would be very dismissive as they see my childhood as normal.

At the end of the meeting the psychologist said that she didn't see any reason for ASD or ADD. Primarily it was lack of issues in childhood and that I come across very well and articulate throughout the session. I can come across very well one on one but any more than that and I really struggle with nervousness and anxiety. I would say I am a fairly extreme introvert and very sensitive to my surroundings (an HSP for anyone who's heard of Elaine Aron's work).

The psychologist said she happily do an assessment despite her initial thoughts. I am wondering whether its worth it without any clear evidence from childhood to suggest issues. So i was interested to find out whether people on here with a diagnosis all had childhood related issues that supported the diagnosis or whether these can on occasion be missed until later in life.

Thanks for reading, went on a bit longer than I meant to!
J

 

[The Midge]

Hi everyone,
I had a question I am hoping people can help with. I had an initial assessment with a clinical psychologist yesterday looking into possible ASD and ADD assessments. I have been referred for an adult ADD assessment through the NHS but it is months away so was looking at going private. I have read about ASD and done a number of screening tests on aspietests.org (AQ test is 38) which all suggest ASD may be something to look into. I suffer from depression and anxiety (i have a diagnosis of bi-polar from a private psychiatrist but its disputed by the NHS) and OCD which has lead me to the ADD assessment initially.
At the meeting we discussed my situation in some detail but didn't go into specifics about ADD or ASD really. It was more general although the psychologist did ask about childhood issues, development problems, problems at school etc. I didn't have a lot of issues as a child, a bit of bullying and lots of moving schools as my parents moved around a lot but generally it was OK. If I were to mention ADD or ASD my parents would be very dismissive as they see my childhood as normal.
At the end of the meeting the psychologist said that she didn't see any reason for ASD or ADD. Primarily it was lack of issues in childhood and that I come across very well and articulate throughout the session. I can come across very well one on one but any more than that and I really struggle with nervousness and anxiety. I would say I am a fairly extreme introvert and very sensitive to my surroundings (an HSP for anyone who's heard of Elaine Aron's work).
The psychologist said she happily do an assessment despite her initial thoughts. I am wondering whether its worth it without any clear evidence from childhood to suggest issues. So i was interested to find out whether people on here with a diagnosis all had childhood related issues that supported the diagnosis or whether these can on occasion be missed until later in life.
Thanks for reading, went on a bit longer than I meant too!
J

If you do an adult screening they don't just rely on childhood reports. Parents have selective memories and miss the vital signs. Mine ASC behaviours were quite hidden by the time I was about 6- my stims include chewing things and twiddling my hair. If you have the option to go to Southampton (ADRC) they give you a dozen tests over a whole day, some without you realising you are being assessed. So it is worth it.

I don't think you are going to save much time going private and would probably see the same clinicians as you would on the NHS. You can always work on the premise that you have ASC and try some coping strategies. You won't get much support once you are diagnosed.
My top tip is; If you are diagnosed ASC then apply for PIP immediatley.

 

[xudo]

I agree with @The Midge. My assessment was on the NHS, and they didn't (and couldn't) rely only on my Mum's memory of my childhood as her memory is abysmal. I also had to fill out two questionnaires (one was the autism quotient and can't remember the other sorry!) and my husband had to fill the same ones out about me too. The assessment was like an hour I think, and he covered a lot of ground not just my childhood and early life.

You may be surprised and get an assessment quicker than they have told you it will take, but to be honest months for an assessment on the NHS is really good. My husband had to wait 2 years for his assessment, but for me it wasn't even a month between the initial appointment and the actual assessment.

 

[Fitzo]

For me, they looked at certain childhood factors, but did not rely solely on them for the diagnosis. They were "indicators," if that's the proper term. Knowing what I know now, I probably would not have bothered with a diagnosis. It hasn't really enhanced my quality of life and all it did was confirm what I had already suspected. Also, it seems the "experts" keep changing the playing field, so even a proper diagnosis can come into question at some point. As they say, "Been there, done that."

The main reasons I want a formal diagnosis are so that I don't have to deal with people telling me I don't have it, which implies mental illness because I think I have it.
As if I'm some sort of mental hypochondriac!

 

[Gracey]

There's a private clinic in Warrington, UK.
£300 will get you an interview to explore the validity of going forward for a full assessment.

(Useful if I wanted to wave the results at my GP to encourage him the spend the practice budget on a formal diagnosis, for a female, who appears to have done okay so far?)

£1800 will get you the whole package. The whole assessment.

 

[jb68]

Thanks for your responses. I am probably going to leave an assessment for now and see what comes of the Adult ADD assessment with the NHS. A private assessment is just too much money when I am not really sure what I am going to get out of it either way. I can clearly see some ASD traits in myself so am going focus on coping strategies around these as well continuing to try and find work that is much better suited to me. I've had 23 perm jobs, mainly in large companies over the last 23 years of working and most have lead to depression, so I know this is something that I have to change.

 

[dragoncat16]

If your bipolar diagnosis is disputed by the NHS, how do you know they wouldn't dispute an ASD diagnosis from a private clinic?

I am surprised by the timeline they have given you. I went to the GP for a referral in July and I already have my ASD diagnosis through NHS.

 

[Betbet]

I'm also waiting for an assesment, but was told that it was going to be a maximum of 90 days wait.
Similarly to you I've had a diagnosis of Bipolar before, another time MH professionals said I had Borderline Personality Disorder.
Hopefully I should be assessed and have my diagnosis by Christmas!
I'm in Wiltshire, uk

 

[jb68]

If your bipolar diagnosis is disputed by the NHS, how do you know they wouldn't dispute an ASD diagnosis from a private clinic?

I am surprised by the timeline they have given you. I went to the GP for a referral in July and I already have my ASD diagnosis through NHS.

Hi @dragoncat16 you're absolutely right. In fact I have been amazed at the variety of opinions you can get from mental health practitioners. Everyone seems to have a different viewpoint.
But really my reason for looking into assessments is trying to find a some of the causes for my depression and anxiety. And sadly I think it is also maybe looking for excuses for all the issues I have had in my professional life and my inability to stay in any job for long because they seem to trigger the anxiety and depression. I suppose if I were able to say there is actually a reason for this it would help my conscience a bit but it would might also help me to find a new career I could handle.