To try to get an autism assesment/diagnosis at 30.

[WonkaWonder]

Hello.

This is my first post, I've read threads on here for some time now but only just made an account to see if anyone can give me some advice.

I strongly believe that I may have autism, and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of trying to get an assessment as an adult, I have looked at the AQ-10 test and this has just strengthened my belief that I may have autism.

I am 30 years old and have always struggled with a long list of things such as speech, eye contact, socially, compulsions, repetitive movements, struggle with non verbal communication and the list could go on and on.

I know it may seem pointless to seek a diagnosis at my age but I really feel like I need to know, everyday is a struggle for me and I feel like a failure when I struggle with basic things that others seem to find easy, I would like to know if there is a reason why I am how I am.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Apologies If this sounds daft but do I just go to the GP and say that I believe I may have autism? I assume I can't just request an assessment? I have looked in to a private assessment but unfortunately at £2000+ it's out of my budget.

Also for anyone who has had a diagnosis later in life did you find it beneficial to finally know?

Thank you for any advice.

I dont really see the point
Unless you plan on having kids as it could perhaps change your opinion or how many you have etc.

Im probably autistic as dc1 is awaiting assessement.

I had issues with friendships usually stayed in small groups 2-3 other girls.
I hardly remember noticing most others at school.
When they left after gcse i did struggle. Became friends with foreign students.

Uni ended up left out of the group for second year housing.
But did find more of a 'tribe' in second year (again a foreign student) but also the lads too. The girls were more sciencey.
Never made more than 1 friend at work.
Antenatal group ended up excluding me
Same with toddler groups with dc. (Although have to say having 2 very difficult dc did no favours)
But even now dc2 is doing ok at school both of us still not play date invites.
And i only bonded better with parents of other sen dc.

But overall for me i think knowing may not be positive as i would likely not bother trying to make friends. Or give up with the stress of work.

I do wonder if it may not be helpful for dc to know - but she os very anxious suicidal depressed and has no friends.
I was more happy go lucky ignoring others.
And she stands out more.
Without diagnosis for her though she gets in trouble at school, is geting bullied, and had a teacher react wrong to her.

My main challenge at work is i cant do interviews.
I was handed several promotions without asking. But only got jobs at interview if there were several jobs.
I cant make up stories on the spot. (Possibly more an adhd issue) but cant remember the question cant plan get bogged down in exact details. Cant alter story to fit the question.

@PoppingCandles I’m so sorry about your daughter. I very much hope and pray that she comes through it, and finds some peace of mind.
I identify with everything you say, particularly your examples of rejection.
After it has inevitably happened, (rejection) I always feel bewildered, even though I should be used to it by now.
I experience the sadness of rejection as a physical pain in the middle of my chest. I spend far too long obsessing about what it is about me that irritates people so much and whether it is/would be possible to change.

OP I’m sorry but the way ourNHS is now, I don’t see how or where the funding would come from for diagnosis in an area where research and studies are in their infancy.

I get through by telling myself life is not about having fun all of the time. That we need to practise stoicism and self-discipline.
I have no choice but to tell myself this.

@WonkaWonder you could I suppose try writing to Professor Baron-Cohen or similar to ask if they’d be interested in talking to you to collate information to inform their research?
It can’t do any harm?

I was diagnosed age 50
I had spent most of my life trying every possible antidepressants and them not working.i was told for years all my problems were anxiety and depression..yet the medication for that wouldn't work.
I left it so late finding out , because I didn't actually understand autism,I thought it was the extreme,which was how my eldest son presented
When school started staying the youngest son had it ,I was confused because he was no problem at all at home.
Youngest son and I are peas in a pod
So when he got diagnosed, I began to suspect I could be too.
But it took me years to pluck up courage to mention to doctor,who just said ,ys that makes total sense
The waiting list was about 3 years ..but I sorted of needed that to come to terms with the whole thing ,I was not in a rush to be diagnosed,but I did want to know one way or another
The 3 years waiting,gave me plenty of time to come to terms with things ,so when I received the diagnosis it was a relief ,..and being told I wasn't depressed after all felt bitter sweet ,as I'd said for years I wasn't depressed.
It's been a long journey
I only wish I'd known about autism in my twenties,I could of made different/ better decisions for myself had I of understood my struggles.

I have just been diagnosed at 56. I think it is useful.
Gp route will be slow but probably the best way but see if you have a local group?
I am in hampshire and hampshire autism seem very supportive. Must be an equivalent near you I would expect.

@Springcat sorry to hear the struggles you have had. Glad you finally have your diagnosis, I hope it is of some help to you. Your story sounds similar to mine, medicated for anxiety and depression and just left to it. I guess I'm worried I will be laughed out of the gp surgery if I suggest I may have it, I would find it beneficial to have a diagnosis because then I may receive some support and understanding in life.

@Blackcats7 I live in a small city, we do have an adult autism charity that supports and offers advice etc but they require you to have a diagnosis before they will speak with you. I shall have a look and see if there is any other options for groups.

Take as much evidence you can to the GP. If you have any screening test results then take them in and also a list of areas where you struggle.

It could be a long wait, I was on a waiting list for 22 months. I was diagnosed in 2020 and my area is no longer doing adult autism assessments at all.

I went to gp with a list of why I thought I was autistic. I had to fill in a very long referral form for adult asd service and was put on wait list. I waited about 9 months for an online assessment. The assessment took place over two appointments, it was fairly intensive. I was asked lots of questions about my childhood, mental health, how I relate to people. Sensory difficulties. They did want a family member or friend to do part of the assessment but I wasn't comfortable with that so I did it all. I was diagnosed a week or so later.

It helps knowing as I can understand a bit better a lot of the issues I've hqd over the years and why things have happened the way they have and I also try to lean in to my weird stuff now instead of trying to hide it.

Milne was in 2022

I was diagnosed in my late 30s. The waiting lists are very area dependant, same with helpful GPs but if you don't get a positive response don't give up! I was diagnosed on the NHS 11 weeks after my initial GP appointment. Once accepted onto the waiting list you can also go through the 'right to chose' and speed things up a bit.