Adult autism assessment

[optimissy]

Hi - I have my autism assessment tomorrow. I am definitely autistic, with most traits and really struggling with it, but present short-term very well and can pass as NT. This has made getting a diagnosis difficult in the past.
Can anyone recommend any ways of improving my chances of getting diagnosed? It's important I do this for me and my son.
Is there anything I should mention/do/not do? Thanks!

Just be yourself. An experienced assessor should know what to look for. All sorts of things were picked up at my assessment that I didn't even realise I do.

If you're concerned that you mask well then you can say so. By the end of a thorough assessment you should be quite tired and less able to mask anyway.

Hi OP - good luck! Can I ask how you managed to get an assessment? DH approached his GP for one and was told of an indefinite wait for even an initial appointment. Again, he passes as NT but is very likely on the spectrum with a number of issues affecting his day to day. I hope you get the answers you're seeking

@mum2bin2021

Hi OP - good luck! Can I ask how you managed to get an assessment? DH approached his GP for one and was told of an indefinite wait for even an initial appointment. Again, he passes as NT but is very likely on the spectrum with a number of issues affecting his day to day. I hope you get the answers you're seeking

Hi! Ah that's often the way, very annoying. I decided to book a private assessment. I waited four months for NHS assessment and did see someone but they didn't diagnose me - this was because I present very well in short bursts and failed to communicate my needs properly as it was brief and over Skype, right at the beginning of the pandemic when it was all chaos :-(

@bitheby

Just be yourself. An experienced assessor should know what to look for. All sorts of things were picked up at my assessment that I didn't even realise I do.

If you're concerned that you mask well then you can say so. By the end of a thorough assessment you should be quite tired and less able to mask anyway.

I masked all through my last one unconsciously and they refused to diagnose me, even though it's obvious to everyone else. My self is a mask really, very tricky

Thanks for the response, we're emigrating to Australia later this year so I think we'll wait til we're over there before privately perusing anything. How did your appointment go?