Contacting my GP for an autism assessment?

[Userno463736737363]

Any tips?

I am 31 with two children on the spectrum. I’ve always felt like I’m different and since having my oldest now 12, who was diagnosed at a young age I’ve been pretty sure I could be on the spectrum too and my partner agrees. My youngest is also autistic.

I have put off admitting I could be autistic for many years. Worried I would be laughed at or dismissed which would knock my confidence. I believe I’ve always masked a lot, more so in my childhood. I moved out at 19 when I had my first child.

looking back I think I exhausted myself in childhood trying to act normal knowing I never really was ‘normal’ Plus I was a kid in the nineties and 2000’s and it wasn’t really spoken about it. Autism as we know if often genetic but I do not believe that it comes from my maternal side, I believe it comes from my bio fathers side of which I’ve had little contact with - but I’ve had some contact with family members and there seems to be a genetic link to autism there.

I have been to and from the doctors from a young age for anxiety and MH issues. I’ve been anxious since I was around 8. No one every suggested it could be autism.

I am on the waiting list for counselling under the nhs (could be a long time waiting) and the lady who did my initial assessment for counselling told me I should contact my Gp about an autism assessment, as although it’s under the same team as them they need a referral through the GP.

but here’s the thing, I’m scared. Scared of being shrugged off, scared of being dismissed, scared of being laughed at. I’ve met some good and bad doctors in my time. Some have wanted to help, some have basically dismissed my needs. I’m considered ‘functioning’ with anxiety and MH issues but I feel I’m functioning less and less as time goes on.

I am worried about telling family. I have mentioned it to them a while ago. I mentioned it to my mother who made it all about her and how bad she felt about it. I also mentioned it to my grandma who basically just laughed and said there’s nothing wrong with me. Do they need an insight into your childhood? I don’t feel either would be much help. I’m the oldest or 5 kids with big age gaps. My mum doesn’t have a great memory and would likely get me muddled with a sibling. My grandpa would have been, as he was like my dad and I spent most of my time with him but sadly he’s no longer with us.

I am not going to get into all the reasons why I think I could be autistic. But I really think I am. I see so many similarities between me and ds, more so than my dd who’s also on the spectrum.

I am scared that I will get knocked back. I don’t know if I have the energy for it. I put so much energy into meeting my own children’s needs, do I have the energy for anything else?

I do feel like a diagnosis (if I was to get one) would help. Maybe give me a sense of why I am the person I am. I’m a bit of a black sheep in my family and maybe they would be more accepting of me. Who knows.

Here is the permission you need to speak to your GP: Go for it! It sounds like it could be very likely you have it given what you've said. Good luck

Go for it, DH was diagnosed finally at 56 and it’s helped him accept himself and his past . Just be aware it may be a long wait

I'm in a similar position to you OP and enough happened today that I've decided to call the doctor tomorrow to speak about it. I think you should call tomorrow too 😊

Maybe you should write down all the reasons you think you're asd and take that with you. Have you done any of those online tests?

Ask for a GP referral. Your partner can go with you and could give their insight. I did for DH for his assessment a few years ago, he just talked about his childhood, his Mum has passed away and he doesn't really have contact with the rest of his family enough for them to contribute. I also mentioned things that his Mum, family and friends of the family had told me.

Why not, if you think it will help you. There's nothing to lose by going for it. A lot to gain if you want the diagnosis, and get one.

How did it go? I had a hectic morning and it went off the agenda but maybe tomorrow. I get stressed about my doctors. They only take e consults for a very small window, it’s impossible to get through on the phone 🫣 if you rang, I hope it went okay.

Thank you, yes do have a list prepared. I have done some yes. I score 37 on AQ I believe and 180 on raads r which are both very indicative scored for asd but I try not to get too deep on them!

Thanks all 💕

I think tomorrow I will try get an e consult in. Getting through and speaking to a receptionist is often impossible and I hate speaking to them so I’ll try get an e consult in. My GP only let a certain amount to be submitted each day, so you have to be quick and irs often when I’m getting dc to school.

I’ve been told it’s a 2 year wait in my area for an assessment and I would be cool with that. I think just speaking to a gp might help be feel more validated on me potentially being on the spectrum.

I have recently been put off by another adult who think they could be on the spectrum. They said the Gp refused because they are functioning! I am seen as functioning (I have anxiety). I’m scared of being refused just on the fact I’m functioning.