Question for adults with aspergers/ASD

londonsurrey

I'm female, live in London, and was diagnosed a couple of years ago at the age of 39.

The GP initially referred me to the local mental health team, and the lead psychiatrist (pompous tw*t) pronounced me undiagnosable on account of my age.

My friend, who acts as my advocate, pushed the primary health trust (or whatever they're called) for the funding for a diagnosis. It took several months of her haranguing them, emphasising that I was a vulnerable adult whose carer had died, and was now in danger of clashing with the authorities who wouldn't understand my atypical behaviour (e.g. being really calm and not getting hysterical when my husband died).

Anyhow, once I got the funding, I was diagnosed at the Maudsley Hospital, who specialise in this kind of thing, and a diagnosis from there does carry weight. I was very much on the spectrum, and they halted the tests halfway through as they didn't need any more convincing (so there, Mr Tw*t lead psychologist at my local mental health team).

Good luck.

fredtheguava

For me, it really was as simple as going t my GP. But I have the most genuinely awesome GP I could hope for, which might have helped!

I went in with a list of things that might suggest ASD and we went through each of them. He told me to take the list to the intake appointment but ultimately it never came up - she had a list of questions and didn't really deviate from them. In fact, why I thought I might be an Aspie never came up.

For me it was socialising that was the main problem - my ex had made me utterly !!!! about my 'failings' here and I wanted to rectify it. Now we're not together - surprise surprise! - I'm doing just fine in this area, but with the knowledge that the way I see and do things is not WRONG, just DIFFERENT.

I will say again, get a referral if you possibly can. If only for your peace of mind.