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Adult ASD online assessment. Reassurance?

2 replies

NervousDinosaur · 22/07/2026 12:53

I've been waiting for my adult ASD assessment & they've just contacted me saying that they have slots available this week, so I'm all booked in.

I'm so nervous.

I know that they will all vary but can I just have some reassurance that it won't feel like they are judging me?

I HATE doing online meetings, cannot stand them. I spend the whole time thinking 'I look stupid/sound stupid/look at my hair/should have got changed/can't hear them properly but don't want to say/hate the sound of my voice/look fat/can't sit still'... Etc. honestly, I'm SO critical of myself. If there's ever a chance to do something in person then I will (although this brings a whole new level of worries!)

Anyway, I've had a rough couple of years where I've been criticised by professionals for my lack of eye contact/facial expressions/smiling when I shouldn't etc, & I've kept away from new people as much as I can since then.

This is one of the first online meeting type things that I'll have to do since being criticised like that, & I'm so scared.

Please be kind, I just want to know if it's like a tick box thing or if it's more you talk & they make notes, & will they be commenting on if I smile at the wrong time etc (although I've developed this habit of covering my mouth now as I don't want people to see if I smile) will that in itself be criticised?

I was also criticised for focusing on a fidget type thing (it was just a pen but I was fiddling with it) during a face to face meeting, but I always have a pen or something at meetings as I need something.

Will that be criticised as well though?

Sorry. I think this is just a jumbled mess but I'm in a massive panic & want to cancel itSad

OP posts:
Alwayslurkingsometimesposting · 22/07/2026 12:56

Please don't cancel, they will NOT criticise, this is exactly the type of thing they're trying to help you with! Having had feedback that youre not behaving 'appropriately' on video calls is all good information for the autism assessors. If you get your diagnosis you can use it in future to set limits on unwarranted criticisms from work and maybe get some reasonable adjustments in place

NervousDinosaur · 22/07/2026 13:03

Oh really, Alwayslurkingsometimesposting Thank you so much. That helps.

I have no idea what they are looking for really.

I just feel like whatever I say or how I look will be taken the wrong way somehow.

The things where I was criticised weren't in a work setting, that's why I've been able to avoid them since.

OP posts:
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