Can anyone help me? I want an Aspergers assessment

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

I am on the autistic spectrum. Not a lot of doubt tbh. I am a functioning adult, but have struggled all my life. My grandfather had autism (quite pronounced) my DS2 is autistic. My dh is fantastic and loves me and understands that I do my best while not 'getting' a lot of stuff in life.

However I would actually like to formalise the lable for how I am. And get support because I find life, social stuff etc REALLY difficult. However although I have been an advocate for my son I have no idea where to start with myself.

Any advise gratefully received!

A GP is probably your first port of call. I'm trying to work up the courage to go see them myself! It's a new concept to me & I'm struggling adjusting to the label in my head, let alone discussing it with anyone other than DH. Seems ridiculous though - I've studied ASDs in children, my non-bio niece has Aspergers & I'm fairly certain that DBIL & DFIL have it too but I've missed it in myself! It seems so obvious now though!

DH took DS2 to the GP recently & asked briefly about the process but all they'd say was that I needed an appt & we'd discuss it then. From what I've found online it looks like they'd reluctantly refer to a local specialist, who may not actually be that local depending on where you live, & you'll have one or 2 assessment sessions where it may be helpful to have someone who knows about your developmental history come with you because most of their assessment criteria is aimed at children!

Hopefully someone who's been through it will come & share their experiences. Good luck!

I think your first port of call would be your GP and s/he can refer you to a psychologist and/or psychiatrist for assessment.
Good luck!

Theres an ongoing support thread in sn chat, has quite a few people on it who have been through the assessment process themselves. :)

Hi if you want a diagnosis for ASD ( autistic spectrum disorder as it is now called, recent change in names) then you need to ask your gp if they will refer you for a diagnosis.

What support do you hope to get out of it? If you know that you can perhaps start seeking the support now - as there are often long waiting lists for diagnosis. For children where I live waits are between 6-18 months depending on the severity of presenting symptoms ( ie if need diagnosis for considering SEN provision in school or alternative schooling etc), so adult waits here are much longer. Does not mean it is impossible here just a long process. Also not something that is diagnosed in one session. Here only a gp can start referral process.

Sorry I was just reiterating what the trainer at work had told me a few weeks ago.

Polter I believe things are changing re: Aspergers/ASD diagnosis. My niece recently had a meeting about her Aspergers & my sister was told that if she was being assessed for the first time now they'd diagnose her as having ASD rather than Aspergers because it's easier to get support for that because Aspergers is perceived as being 'better' than ASD & therefore isn't a priority for support! I suggested she announce she has doubts about the diagnosis & ask for a second opinion in the hopes of getting DNiece re-labelled & therefore getting her the support she so desperately needs! It's all very complicated!

I asked for a GP referral, and was sent documents to fill in and return to a clinic.

I couldn't actually do this, however, as they would only see me if I could provide a parent/similar who could also attend and answer questions about my childhood