Experience of first autism assessment, felt like a benefit assessment.
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There are differences between ADHD and Autism, but some of the major traits also fit both conditions, known as 'overlap'. It is normal to consider ADHD during a modern Autism assessment.
There isn't an official black mark system for the NHS. They will tell you it's all confidential if you ask. But some people do find they get treated differently after making a complaint.
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They are different but there are many overlaps, especially ensory sensitivity, executive functioning difficulties, emotional regulation, social struggles, hyperfocus, and feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks.
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It is. Autism encompasses ADHD but not the other way around.
My assessment was 10 years ago and I've only recently considered the other condition because it's secondary to my autism and probably is for you.
I want to correct something I wrote earlier - it took two years to get my diagnosis (not two for the second referral) which included 4 months too afraid to chase it up because of my first experience. The assessor had forgotten to send his report to my GP but that didn't matter once I'd read it!
Mine was in person and it definitely helped knowing who I was talking to - he saw things that would have been missed in a video chat. He was extremely calm, gentle and in no hurry for answers to his questions. You need the correct assessment by the right person (there is no way a newly qualified person would bully someone like that).
It is baffling that nobody picked up our difficulties/impairments but it really is the missing part of a puzzle. It was shocking to realise I'd not been able to make myself understood all those years despite being articulate, as you clearly are.
Your sisters believe you and will battle to get you this diagnosis. Your GP needs to know what happened and why you need a new referral 🕊️
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The most apparent symptoms for autism on that which apply to me are not listed on the ADHD page, if those pages are inaccurate the NHS need to correct them. (the symptoms also applied during my childhood)
I cant help it if the NHS assessment process is flawed and they have assessors bullying people, but I will fight for this. I also dont think its right that people who complain are mistreated.
On the next assessment if I am asked inappropriate questions my sister will tell the assessor we are declining to answer, and also I am only to answer if she tells me to, otherwise she will answer for me, and also will end the assessment if it becomes unprofessional again with a new one expected without a new referral, as I cant play down the referral part of this as if its no issue to do it all again, it was an extraordinary amount of effort required to get referred.0 -
This is from the NHS - 'Signs of autism'
Page last reviewed: 11 November 2022
Next review due: 11 November 2025
I didn't consult these pages at any point and you're right about them being not very informative. The National Autistic Society is where most of my guides came from.
Have you contacted the NAS for support?
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No but thank you for the suggestion. I cant find a contact support number there, but have joined the community. I have read how they describe autism, and its like they are drawing me. Its a perfect portrayal.
There is another update.
My discharge is now official, and they diagnosed depression, they stated the way I acted during the session as their justification.
The assessor seems to have confused a formal assessment as a socialising environment.
There is no report attached, just the vague summary.
Thank you a lot WhatThe, all of your posts, make me feel you feel my emotions, and you are clearly fully supportive of the position I am in, your experience will drive me on.2 -
Great to hear and thank you for saying so!
What a shame their helpline is now closed. You can request leaflets from them free of charge if you prefer hard copies of information.
I can relate to what you've said - I didn't know what my daughter was talking about until I read something, a year or so later, in a book she had given me. Those random, unlikely characteristics, physical features and behaviours described me and my life! I didn't 'meet' any autistic people until I joined this forum nearly 3 years ago and heard similar stories.
What motivated me to pursue my diagnosis was knowing that if they couldn't recognise autism in me - with all my evidence - what chance would anyone else have? That's how sure I was.
I would suggest getting hold of your NHS data from your GP. Mine revealed that notes about my childhood surgeries had been destroyed by another hospital.
Your GP will know who the provider was and you definitely don't want them again.
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Ps practice managers have to reject a certain numbers of referral requests each week so don't give up asking. The NHS measures success by the number of patients it discharges. That's what you're up against!
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So a complaint was done via PALS and I have an advocate.
They have already told me over phone they will do a new assessment with someone else no new referral needed and will speak to the assessor.
However as I got nothing in writing the complaint has been left open.2 -
That's good news @worried33. Hopefully they'll get a new assessment booked in with you soon.
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Its going to be around September as I am back of waiting list again.
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Complaining can very much put a black mark against the complainant, but I would hope that that doesn't happen in this context.
I've been deemed as "Unreasonable" by the mayor of West Yorkshire because I complained about their handling of a police complaint. Under their "Unreasonable Behaviour" policy, everything I send to the authority is diverted to the person that I complained about...
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I now have written confirmation.
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Is that for your new assessment @worried33?
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Yes they have confirmed I will have a new one soon.
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