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Original poster

Adult autism assessment

24 replies

LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 03:52

I'm looking at going privately for an adult autism assessment (although also considering right to choose)

However I don't have an informant from my childhood.

Does anyone know if this will bar me or if they can piece together from other information.

I obviously don't want to pay all the money and then be turned down because of this.

I'm currently looking at DrJs as they also do NHS and are under £1000. Although may go through Right to choose.

Thankyou.

OP posts:
Openmouthinsertfood · 07/09/2024 04:00

I had an assessment on the NHS and had no one from my childhood around to give evidence. The assessment still went ahead and they just asked me about my childhood. I was diagnosed as having autism so it is possible. Good luck.

Kitkat1523 · 07/09/2024 04:05

I’ve yet to meet anyone who paid and was not given a diagnosis

Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 04:13

I know it's a bit of a cyclical thing. If you've got to the point where you've spent ages researching autism and at that point in your life where you're willing to actually pay to see someone... It's quite likely you're autistic isn't it.

But I'm still going round in circles about wanting to get it right... Hence being up at 4am...

OP posts:
Starlight7080 · 07/09/2024 04:30

Kitkat1523 · 07/09/2024 04:05

I’ve yet to meet anyone who paid and was not given a diagnosis

Same 😆 including my sister .
Diagnosed after an hour .

Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 04:31

Similarly if I use right to choose I want to choose a provider that can diagnose even without a parental report.

OP posts:
Starlight7080 · 07/09/2024 04:36

In all fairness I was the parent doing the report . Which was a huge form and then long talk.
But what really got my child's diagnosis was her appointments with different specialists. They are experts and instantly new she was. She is very outwardly autistic and all her behaviours show it . But also just talking to her well trying too showed them what they needed to see.
And although my report helped to show it was obvious from a few months old . It was meeting her that was important.

Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 05:19

Who did you sister go with? Crazy to think these last 2 years of intense googling and trying to find the right words and now the right provider could be sorted in an hour!!

I don't know that it's obvious I'm autistic when you first meet me (or maybe it is??) I've got a lovely colleague who says she can see it but knows what to look for. But I don't want to get this one shot wrong.

OP posts:
Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 05:20

And yes for my duaghter they needed my input.

But it's more that for some rprivodrs it looks like for adult assessment they need to show it was there as a child.

OP posts:
Starlight7080 · 07/09/2024 05:29

People in 60 plus are now being diagnosed and definitely won't have parents imput. So I wouldn't worry to much that you don't.
They will have experience with this .
And you will be probably able to explain some traits and experiences from your childhood better anyway .
I think in the past parents didn't put 2 and 2 together as much as we do now . When it comes to autism.

Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 05:31

It looks like some providers require evidence from childhood but yes good point!

Does anyone have recommendations. I guess within each organisation they're all different but I was looking at DrJs.

But then there's pscion and some others too.

OP posts:
sashh · 07/09/2024 05:38

I've not gone through the process but I am considering it.

My dad is still alive but I know certain things from my childhood that my parents have told me.

Apparently as a baby I was very happy unless someone tried to cuddle me. Also my mother constantly told me I had no tact and I couldn't understand the concept of 'tact', what was wrong with the truth?

WagnersFourthSymphony · 07/09/2024 05:51

I've been wondering whether to get a private assessment, but have been putting it off because I am retired and it would have no formal impact on my life except to make me feel a bit better about myself. I'm pretty sure I am; friends who know me are pretty sure I am, so why should it make me feel better to have the big official tick? Especially if, as has been implied, private providers will diagnose absolutely anyone prepared to pay, autistic or not.

I'd still like to know.

And of course I don't have anyone from childhood to give that background.

Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 05:55

Hmm I don't think they just hand out diagnosis because people pay as they're still qualified professionals and they still need to assess you, you need to fill in forms etc.

Its more that to get to that stage you're likely to have given it a lot of thought yourself. Non autistic people are highly unlikely to be seeking diagnosis.

I just want to know now. I've still got 20years work ahead of me and I'd eaally like to know for my own sense of wellbeing.

I got the impression my Dr was quite dismissive of middle ages women looking though.

OP posts:
Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 05:55

Also "it would make me feel better about myself" is of course hugely valid!

OP posts:
Putmeinsummer · 07/09/2024 05:57

Kitkat1523 · 07/09/2024 04:05

I’ve yet to meet anyone who paid and was not given a diagnosis

That's partly because by the time people have got up to the point of seeking diagnosis they have a pretty good idea of themselves anyway. I have a friend who does research on ND and she said they typically find self diagnosis correlates with brain scans of add

But I do know 3 people who were told there were no concerns for ND in their private assessments with our local private provider but it is one that does assessments for the NHS and follows all NICE guidelines.

Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 06:43

I'm absolutely stuck with knowing way forwards.

I'm thinking I need to stay in local system for adhd after reading about GPS not accepting shared care. I want it all above board but it's tempting that for 375 I could "know" I have adhd...

Autism - I also want to know now but I think right to choose is taking 4 months and we do have much money. Im finding it a bit overwhelming trying to choose.

OP posts:
Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 06:46

And do you come of the local list when you do right to choose. Presumably you do or it's a waste of time doing both.

I am so confused

OP posts:
MySocksAreDotty · 07/09/2024 06:55

My DH did not get diagnosed until the additional childhood evidence was given from his Mum. This seems rare, though. I did the rest of the interview.

Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 07:02

I'm looking at the right to choose thinking that makes most sense as we have no money.

But now I'm worried about adhd and shared care with medication and potentially "losing my place in the queue" with local care

But I may be thinking too far ahead.

OP posts:
stopbeingkidding · 07/09/2024 07:47

I had an nhs assessment as an adult. I didn't feel comfortable asking any family members as they didn't believe I was autistic and would likely have sabotaged me.

I did all the forms and visits and they were fine with it.

Original poster
LotsOfFinches · 07/09/2024 07:56

Thankyou

OP posts:
Tiddlywinkly · 17/09/2024 12:12

A bit late, but to add, my family were not involved with my diagnosis. I spoke about my childhood and my dh was interviewed.

TheWorldisGoingMad · 10/10/2024 14:13

Openmouthinsertfood · 07/09/2024 04:00

I had an assessment on the NHS and had no one from my childhood around to give evidence. The assessment still went ahead and they just asked me about my childhood. I was diagnosed as having autism so it is possible. Good luck.

May I ask who you went with, did you do right to choose? I'm in a very similar situation but I've already been diagnosed with ADHD.

Openmouthinsertfood · 10/10/2024 14:48

TheWorldisGoingMad · 10/10/2024 14:13

May I ask who you went with, did you do right to choose? I'm in a very similar situation but I've already been diagnosed with ADHD.

Edited
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I had a home visit as housebound. I didn't do right to choose (I hadn't heard of it before!), but I am in Hampshire if that helps?

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