AIBU to refuse an autism assessment

[DeeplyUnimpressed]

I was referred to a mental health worker for severe anxiety, but the sessions weren’t helping. The worker suggested I might have ASD and should seek an assessment, which I declined as I don’t believe I have it.
She continued sending me information aimed at people with learning disabilities, which I found upsetting. When I explained this, she said there was nothing else she could do to help, and the sessions ended.
Since then, whenever I’ve contacted the team for further support, ASD has been brought up again, and I’ve repeatedly been asked to refer myself for an assessment.
I asked what support would be available if I were diagnosed, but was told they don’t offer anything and could only suggest an Autism UK support group.
AIBU to keep refusing? I can’t help feeling they’re trying to fob me off rather than address my anxiety and help me access appropriate support.

Over diagnosis can be harmful as can under diagnosis( they warned against both)but it isn’t happening yet, they said they had no data saying that was the case. Last year under diagnosis was highlighted by the NHS and this report recognised that but also said we could tip into over diagnosis if the whole system isn’t improved for a variety of reasons.

Who said? If you have mental health needs you have mental health needs. An autism diagnosis whilst useful won’t help on its own.

I’m happy for those people that have found a diagnosis helpful, but I don’t believe it would help me. I do not have self hatred, I’m comfortable with who I am.

Id simply like to be able to access help for anxiety that is impacting my functioning.

That's incorrect.
A learning disability is it's own diagnosis, a very significant diagnosis often more profound than autism. People can have a learning disability without autism, it's not some add on from having a more severe form of autism.
I think there needs to be more information on learning disabilities put out to the public because a lot of people don't seem to understand it.

Unfortunately I have seen this kind of thing play out with relatives everyone can see they might benefit from an assessment but they refuse which is their right but then leaves them in limbo.

I would ask you is there anything wrong with having Autism (if you do) also is there anything wrong with having a learning disability I have one doesn't mean I am less than or that I am stupid?

Mine is very narrow in one area but unfortunately my daughter is much broader making her the bottom of the bell curve in some areas, you know what she is still a perfectly imperfect human being who is loved by many and has a great life.

I only tell you this because you reluctance to get an assessment might be stopping you from having a good life.

Ok don’t go for diagnosis then and go back saying that. Support will depend on the severity of your anxiety.

Perhaps you can’t benefit from the help given for your anxiety due to not understanding autism? Your anxiety may be related to autism. Understanding your autism and making adjustments may alleviate your anxiety

Whilst CAMHS insisted on an autism diagnosis for my dc in order to give answers, help with the self hatred and to adjust high level care properly.

The whole system needs to be improved so everybody gets cohesion and the support they need.

If you are assessed and it is not autism they will (presumably?) explore other treatment modalities.

nhs mh services are usually woeful though.

if you were to go private knowing whether you have autism would impact the type of treatment offered.

Do you mean you have a learning difficulty? To have a learning disability would mean you have a low IQ.

I have a serious mental illness and was referred for an ASD assessment (I did right to chose in the end because the waitlist was so long). As my support worker and psychiatrist expected I am neurodivergent, the diagnosis has really helped me understand myself and my anxiety. It hasn’t taken away my SMI or conflicted with it and has meant that when the CMHT are working with me they can take it into account but still take my symptoms seriously.

If they are suggesting you have an assessment then I would seriously consider it.

Err no. Loads of famous people have autism and a high IQ. Bill Gates for a start.

Autism isn’t a learning disability

No I have a learning disability and my IQ is good.

I assume you are UK based and in fairness some people use learning disability to be kind when they mean intellectual disability.

Autism and learning disabilities often co-occur.

What information have they sent you OP?

Then do t have the assessment. What did tog hope to get from this thread because all you have done is state tog do not want to be assessed because you don’t think it would help. That’s your stance, done.

Why not try treatments first, before trying to force someone to have an assessment they don’t want to have? itnwould make more sense.

Where did I say it was?

I think you’re referring to this bit in the report:

’On the basis of evidence available to us we cannot conclude that overdiagnosis is occurring at scale, particularly given the gaps in population prevalence data and data reporting. However, if present trends
continue we are clearly entering a phase in which the balance of risks is changing, from previous merited concerns with under-recognition and
underdiagnosis towards an increased risk of misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis, which are becoming increasingly important considerations for policy and
service delivery.

I have to say I find the term overdiagnosis so strange. Misdiagnosis (of anything) is obviously highly problematic but the idea that ‘too many’ people have a diagnosis of ASD is really odd to me (and surely would only be possible if services were misdiagnosing?!)

Well there is - you can still be treated for anxiety disorder but with the understanding there is underlying autism which should impact how you treat the autism. Have been through this with a family member - sought treatment for anxiety, told probable underlying autism, but turned down for assessment due to lack of evidence of need. Six months later they become acutely unwell with anxiety, requiring medication, and are given assessment that shows they are indeed autistic. The anxiety treatment designed for neurotypical people was not helping them but they are now seeing other people who are successfully treating the anxiety as well as giving support adjusting to the autism diagnosis and addressing the root causes of the anxiety. You’ve nothing to lose here but your time. Why are you actively against being assessed?

Okay think or this another way can you share what you are anxious about? Doesn't have to be massively specific.

@DeeplyUnimpressed

i have seen multiple times that CBT can be ineffective for people with autism so if you are planning therapy it is something that’s probably worth establishing.

And how is having a label actually going to help. Seek support elsewhere. YANBU

I don’t think you’re unreasonable. It would make sense to have the assessment if it opened up alternative support but if it doesn’t, then I don’t get why they are pushing it. Well I do, they’ll probably be able to close your case to them citing autism when in actual fact you need help for your anxiety.
Cynical me thinks that your anxiety is complex and they don’t want yo deal with it.

Because those that know SEN and Autism understand that anxiety when you have them is different to anxiety when you don't therefore it needs a different set of strategies.

It's like treating a broken bone as a dislocated one both a painful but they need slightly different things.

People aren't using the term learning disability to be kind. That is the name of the diagnosis, and it is a person with impaired intelligence. Why would the term learning disability be any kinder than intellectual disability?