Diagnosis

[Geoo98]

I went to the doctors yesterday to start the process of getting a formal diagnosis but I got stuck pretty much straight away and couldn't talk because I was on my own. It was horrible. When I finally managed to talk properly he told me that there's no one he can refer me to so now I really don't know what to do.
How did other people go about getting a proper diagnosis?

 

[ancusmitis]

Well, the big part of getting diagnosed with autism is finding a head shrinker who knows his craft. My mom brought a copy of Uta Firth's book, Autism and Asperger Syndrome to our shrink, and he agreed that it sounded right, but she's extremely verbal and I was extremely young. Maybe it would help to write things down. I've done that before myself, although it wasn't for this purpose. Even though it got people very irritated with me, it still worked.

 

[Progster]

I went to my GP, and she was very helpful and understanding. I think she had experience of this kind of thing, because she seemed to know what to look for and what questions to ask - I think she had a screening test of some kind. I would try agian, go to a different doctor, and this time write down what you want to say - why you think you have it, what your main symptoms are, and how they are affecting your life. Unless they see that the symptoms are affecting your daily functioning to some extent, they may not want to make a referral. Some specialists also accept self referrals without a GP referral.

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

I went to my GP and handed him a list that I had written over the previous weeks, of my symptoms and how the effect my life. This removed the need for me to talk about myself, as it is something I really struggle with. He then referred me to a team of NHS psychologists who diagnosed me.

What country do you live in? The best method for getting a diagnosis will depend on where you live.

 

[Geoo98]

I live in the UK. I think I'm going to try to make another appointment but go with someone else as well. I had a list with me last time but I felt too uncomfortable to get it out

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

Taking someone with you sounds like a good idea.

It's strange that the doctor said that there's no one he could refer you to, as there as facilities for adult diagnosis on the NHS (I was 24 when I was diagnosed). What he probably meant was "I've never referred an adult for diagnosis so I don't know what to do and can't be bothered to find out." I overcame this issue by turning up with a referral form for a local group (Asperger East Anglia) who works with the NHS providing services such as diagnosis. If you're lucky there may be a similar group in your area. Also, autism.org.uk may provide useful information.