Adult ADHD and ASD assessment next week!

[Triggerpoint]

I have had a letter through that I have my assessment booked through right to choose via my GP next Thursday.
It’s going to be via video call with a psychiatrist and the letter states it would be useful if I have someone with me who knew me from childhood.

So I’ve asked my parents if they can join in the call. They’ve agreed to do it but my mum is saying she’s not happy about it as she feels they’ll be judging her and she doesn’t like telling people our personal business (I suspect my mum is undiagnosed but she thinks everyone has ‘some neurodiversity’ and that she doesn’t feel she ‘needs’ a label).

Has anyone had a video call like this before for a diagnosis and what sort of things do they ask? I need to feel prepared, I hate not knowing what’s coming and I’m going to have to write stuff down or I’m going to forget it all.

They only need a statement from your parent about your development as a child. They are not there to excavate any family drama.

They said they’d recommend them there on the video call with me.

That's great, I hope having your assessment helps!

Can you ask for an idea of the questions they'll ask in advance, so you and your parents can prepare. I didn't have anyone else attend mine, but I had sent them copies of my school reports where my ADHD traits were clear from a young age.

Do you need both your mum and dad there? Would one of them be enough? Could your dad answer the questions if your mum thinks it might be too much for her? The tricky thing is that there wasn't much awareness of it back then, so it's hard for someone not familiar with the symptoms to be able to link them with your behaviours as a child, though the psychiatrist should ask the right questions.

From memory, they asked me about my childhood in relation to school, home, routine, friendships, things I found hard and then similar questions up to present day. Mine was done in a nice way, I didn't feel pressured, I definitely overshared, but I guess it all helped create a picture. I also wrote a list in advance of all the things I find hard now, so I had it to hand if asked, as there was so much and I knew I wouldn't remember on the spot.

I found it quite emotional at times, so have the tissues ready!

Mine was last year video call. I asked my support worker to be there with me. It lasted three hours and was emotionally draining.

They ask everything about everything. Literally. Yes, about when you were at school, your work, your physical health. I can't even remember half of it and I also couldn't answer some of the questions asked because I'd either blanked it out or had no recollection.

Tbh, I'd not have your DM with you. Or anyone close. It's easier to be completely open and honest when answering questions if it's just you or you and a care worker. Otherwise, you have half a mind on how what you're saying is affecting who is with you, rather than just going with it.

Your DM is already putting herself first, and this is about YOU. So, how can you be truthful with your mum next to you?

You need a proper diagnosis, to be open. You'll be absolutely fine. If it gets overwhelming, ask for a break. They don't mind. But you'll feel very tired afterwards.

Yes, that's because they want to ask them about your development as a child. That's all. They only need this information to form a full picture for the diagnosis.

It’s specifically states someone who knew me from childhood -and I don’t have a support worker or anyone who knows me well enough from a young age.
I’m sort of dreading it with my parents there, but it seems pretty crucial to diagnosis.

I have mine soon and I won't be involving my mum. She has the same attitude ad yours.

I'll just be telling them I have no one available

can I ask a q. I had an initial assessment but was told I couldn’t be diagnosed with both at the same time so I would have to have separate assessments are you being assessed for both at the same time?

was also told it was help to have a parent there. If that makes you uncomfortable could you get them to write down the experiences instead?

Find out if they can just join for that portion of the call. As a PP said, you might feel more able to talk freely for the rest of it if there's no one else there.

I asked my mum and she told me I was a difficult child because I was an indigo ‘child of the return’ and other mystical woo stuff, so I don’t think she’s going to be a lot of help in an assessment.

There's a youtube account AutisticAF (stands for after forty!) which is for late diagnosed / suspected autistic people. Great community and you'll probably get good answers there.

Ie just submitted my forms for R2C and hoping the doctor processes them quickly.

Which provider did you go with and how long did you wait?

I'm nervous about ti all but hoping to get some answers.

Theres no way I'd have a parent there though (tricky parents). Good luck.

I’ve just called up and asked if when we do the assessment, can my parents just be there for a part of the call and not all, and they said that’s fine.

So I will get some time by myself to talk about things I may struggle to discuss in front of them.

That's great!!