Autism assessment for adult female

[ImmortalityMyDarlings]

Hello lovely people ~
I am looking for ideas for my DW who has been thinking for some time now about whether or not she has autism. Lots of her symptoms (and quirky traits that I love) are explained by aspergers. So we are now thinking what to do next as she's come round to the idea that support and if needed, a diagnosis, could be helpful. We are London-based if any of you have any pointers for specialists in the area? Looking for a psychologist or maybe a centre with experience working with adult females with potential ASD. Thanks!

You should contact the British Psychological Society- they also have a register online which you can search. or, your GP can refer you to NHS support but the waiting list is likely to be long.
The question is though, what would she do with the diagnosis? It can be declared as a disability in job applications but it's not always seen positively.

Is this for your own benefit more than hers? Is she wanting the diagnosis or are you? The person themselves needs to really want it.

Thanks for the suggestion. Not for my benefit at all. Shame you'd suggest that.

Why is it a shame? I think you are overreacting. I've worked with adults and children with ASD for many years (not a psych.) In many cases the partners pushed for the assessment. It's not a criticism of you but it was a genuine question. obviously in a relationship with someone who has ASD it can be hard at times. I always refused to help or assess people by proxy though, the person themselves had to want to find out.

I am not pushing for an assessment. It was completely her idea. I just thought I could help her because she explained that it was difficult to work out what to do as an adult.

I've just had it done as an adult on the NHS. I had to wait about 18 months. It does take quite a bit of getting your head around if she does get a diagnosis.

We have Welsh government funding for adult assessments here whereas I know other parts of the UK have less good adult autism services.

The Lorna Wing Centre is the gold standard for assessing women with autism, they have two centres, one in Essex and one in Kent.
www.autism.org.uk/services/diagnosis/contact%20us.aspx

I don't know about their centres, do contact them and ask, but generally there's no post-diagnosis support available.

Op, I suggest she goes to GP, it would help if some of her quirks impacted negatively e.g not sleeping well, social difficulties, communication difficulty etc. GP should refer you to local autism team for assessment, takes 2 or 3 assessments with different people. Will include questions about her childhood, is family about/available to help?

Agree with pp re what to do with outcome. My local team offers post diagnosis support and there are support groups etc not many with or for adult women. Good luck.

Took 6months from GP to first assessment (London) 😀