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Neurodiverse Mumsnetters

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Has anyone had an assessment with Axia in Chester?

3 replies

Itsnotallblackandwhite · 16/11/2022 17:33

It's the ASD assessment centre that my health authority have referred me to. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had an assessment with them and what I should expect?

OP posts:
FrugalOddball · 18/11/2022 18:01

(Namechanged as potentially outing)

Yes. I found them very good. Helpdesk people very understanding of ND needs such as helping with form-filling, calling back when they say they will and so on.

The first step of the process was filling in a detailed questionnaire. This includes questions about your present struggles and also questions about the health history of you and your close family, going right back to your mum's pregnancy. There were some questions I was unable to answer (too old to have parents to help) but I just noted this on the form.

You send this back and then wait for your diagnostic appointment. This again was straightforward - it's in a large building housing other companies but the reception was very quiet, parking was no bother; nothing to trigger additional anxiety in me.

The appointment then uses the questionnaire as a starting point for discussion - focusing on the difficulties you are experiencing currently and how these manifested themselves in childhood. I wasn't asked to do anything that made me uncomfortable such as role play, etc. - it was purely answering questions. It lasted about an hour.

The verbal diagnosis was given straight away on the day, and then it took about 4 weeks for the full report to come as an email; they will send this to your GP & you also get a letter that just confirms your diagnosis, without details, that you can give to your employer and so on.

A tip - do ask to go on their cancellation list if this is feasible for you - I got an earlier appointment that way.

Obviously this is going to be a stressful process however well it is handled but I can't fault the service I had from them.

Wishing you the best Flowers

Itsnotallblackandwhite · 19/11/2022 08:04

Thank you so much @FrugalOddball. That’s really reassuring 🙂

like you I don’t have parents around to ask about my childhood so am just in the process of accessing my social care records - but I remember a lot. I was a bit worried about whether personal recollections, without verification from someone who knew me as a child, would be okay. Luckily I do have medical records from childhood that back up some memories.

OP posts:
FrugalOddball · 19/11/2022 09:30

Your personal recollections will be fine. The focus of the assessment is on your experiences and the assessors will explore what you talk about. The questionnaire is detailed enough that, if there are some questions you have to leave out, there is no shortage of other material for them to discuss with you. You can take someone into the assessment to support you if you like - I took my partner.

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