To ask for your experience if you were assessed but NOT diagnosed with autism?

[IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday]

Hi,

I would love to hear about your experience if you have been for an ASD assessment but did not get a diagnosis. Do they offer alternative diagnoses or any explanation, other sources of support etc? Did you find going through the assessment a helpful experience or did it leave you confused?

Just asking as I have been contemplating going for a private assessment but I am not certain I would be diagnosed, so just wanted to know what I could expect if that was the case

I don't personally know anyone who went for the assessment who wasn't diagnosed. In particular, the NHS criteria for even getting the psychologist appointment is very rigorous to the point where they won't give you one if they don't think there's a very high chance that you'll be diagnosed.

I had to 'pass' lots of questionnaires before I even got to that point.

I was once told 'NT people don't spend their time wondering if they're ND.' So, if you think you're some flavour of ND, then you likely are.

Best of luck with it all :)

The services will triage your referral and if they pre-assessment questionnaire does not indicate ND diagnosis, you will be discharged. They can't give you an alternative explanation because they are only experts in NDD and not other conditions. Since you haven't got a diagnosis, the "additional support" is also not given as it is impossible to give support for an undiagnosed condition.
Having said that, if you are going privately, it is luck of the draw. Some clinics will use the same diagnostic procedures as NHS and others will stamp a diagnosis based on 15 min conversation and a screening questionnaire. There is no much utility in the latter and it is unlikely to be officially recognised.

Thanks both, very helpful and I guess it makes sense that you wouldn't make it as far as the full assessment if you didn't need it.

Smae here don't want to spend several K if I'm not.

Anecdotally I know someone who does this as a job and they said they'd rejected someone (private) as they showed empathy and ability to see from others perspective. bangs head against brick wall . Makes me worried about ability of the team.