ADHD and Autism assessment NHS

[BeachedOff]

I strongly suspect I have both ADHD and Autism. I have an appointment booked with a GP to ask for an assessment for both in a couple of weeks. This might be a stupid question but can I even ask for an assessment for both things? Will they want me to just focus on one thing at a time? I am so nervous they are going to refuse to refer me and I feel like asking for two assessments will make that more likely. Assuming it is a separate assessment?

Has anyone had any experience of this? Any tips?

I was very worried about requesting a referral for and assessment and it took me years to request it (2 dc have and and their consultant advised i get refered). I was literally on the phone less than 2 minutes and was told they'd send out some paperwork, I was to fill in and return to them and if they felt appropriate they would refer (which they did) to this company https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose-asd/ that was in May, I've since had contact and am now awaiting an appointment. My advice is just do it (worrying was worse than the actual doing it). Even if they won't do both you could request one then the other at a later date. The company my gp use assess both so I expect its quite common to dual assess/refer on for the other diagnosis.

Thank you for this, that is very reassuring to hear and the link is helpful too. I think I'm building it up way more than needed in my head.

Hello BeachedOff
I tried to ask my GP for referral for autism assessment and she ignored my request!
My area takes self referrals (found out via google search of the local NHS department website), so I did that instead.
Incredibly, I was fast tracked due to being in an at risk group (undiagnosed female 40plus) diagnosed autistic by the team within 4 months with recommendations for separate ADHD assessment.
Haven't done that part yet and not sure if I want to at the moment.

The NHS waiting list is 4-5 years. Your GP won’t necessarily tell you this. You can ask for right to choose and be referred to Psychiatry UK, which diagnoses over Zoom and the wait time is more like 6 months.

Sorry I missed these last replies - thank you very much! I have got my appointment later today and will see what happens - I'm going armed with the right to choose information (thank you). I will definitely look into self referral if any problems too - I am in Hampshire and not too sure how it works here yet 🤞🤞.

@BeachedOff did you get an assessment etc my doctor has sent out a paper assessment for that will be arriving next week, very anxious about “what comes next” I hope you got the help. Xx

Hi @lucy2204 I have had a referral for both! It was just before Psychiatry UK stopped accepting referrals so I was just in time for that. They have said they have received the referrals but I don't think I will hear back for a long time - so I'm in limbo now. I have been doing a lot of research and going through a lot of emotions. I can't help but feel completely alone in it all but hopefully a diagnosis will open some better doors for support. I think a diagnosis could be life changing but I'm still anxious I won't even get that that stage.

Happy to chat, feels like a long waiting game doesn't it? X

Hello I’m my doctor is still sending out the paper assessments and then will refer me to my mental health team with the outcome I’m not sure if that’s your process? But they’re apparently pretty fast around here as she’s fast tracking @BeachedOff I hope you get the outcome you need/want xx
mum anxious too, I have anxiety and panic disorder so I over panic over stuff so not sure if it’s that that’s making me more anxious,-.- bit of a personal question but does anyone in your family have adhd or autism? In my family my mum and dad both did/do and most of my siblings and now there children do .. /: (most of my bros and sisters have been diagnosed as adults) xx

So glad your referral is being fast-tracked @lucy2204 that's really great news. Thank you. Ah that's interesting - I'm a big panicker too! Sorry to hear you're finding things tricky. Sure! No one has got a formal diagnosis in my family but I could quite confidently say that a few members of my close family are autistic - my Uncle is and he acknowledges it. I think ADHD is a bit harder to tell but definitely recognise a lot of the symptoms in some of my family members. I know it isn't a thing that would be explored by them though and it has taken a bit of time for them to get their head around my thoughts about myself. Are the members of your family diagnosed out of interest? I have little ones and it really makes me worry that I have passed this on to them. It's not something that was even on my radar until after having kids.

@BeachedOff hello yes a few are diagnosed now, but took a while, it’s crazy coz when your reading the signs and symptoms of both conditions things start to click into place within your mind that actually makes sense I am the way I am, not sure if you got that feeling to? And I’ve felt the same way about my children! It worries me a lot and they all show signs and are on the Sen radar at school, so once your diagnosed apparently the school keeps a closer eye on the children to see if any of them are showing signs and actually help you get the help they need … I wouldn’t worry as much tho, about you or your children having either diagnosis as there is a lot more help now days than what there was, and it’s a lot more common now that adults are actually being diagnosed,
im here if you wna chat about anything also! 🤗xx

Morning @lucy2204 yes I definitely felt the same! I first realised I had ADHD and it took me ages to come to terms with that but I still felt like something was missing. Then I happened upon the female symptoms for Autism and my mind was blown and it all seemed to come together - it really felt like I had the whole picture. It explained why I feel like my life is utter chaos yet I absolutely cannot cope with the chaos and just want everything in order. Feels like I am two people living in one body - constantly conflicted. Obviously there are lots of other things too but I can't believe it's taken me until my 30s to realise it all!

That's great that the school are keeping a closer eye! Thank you I really appreciate it - it's great to talk to someone who understands.

Hey @BeachedOff hope your doing okay, my doctor received the paper work this week so hoping to hear from her in the next week or so xx

That's really good news! Will that mean that you will go on a waiting list @lucy2204 or will you have the assessment soon?

@BeachedOff im not 100% sure tbh I’ve still not heard from them x

@BeachedOff Hi, I know you haven't posted on here for a little while but iw as wondering whether you've heard anymore about your referrals or if you've had your assessment done yet?
I've just plucked up the courage to book a drs appointment (which is tomororw) to discuss getting a referral for Autism. Both my children are on the waiting list for assessments for autism at ages 4 & 8 and I see some many things in them which is also very much me. I'm so nervous though that they will either refuse a referral, that I'm just Iver thinking it all in my head and it's actually nothing or that I'm going to get to the assessment and them say its not anything. I'm hoping to go down the right to choose pathway but working out what to say to the dr and how to explain everything 🙈🙈. X

Hi @Tiredmum1223, in the last few weeks I was given all the information to open my account with Psychiatry UK, so things are moving forward but I don't have an assessment date yet. They want to do my ADHD assessment first and then my Autism one, so it could still take a long time. They haven't given me a rough timescale either.

My experience was that I felt very similarly and really over-thought it. I wrote a whole page of all my symptoms and they didn't ask me anything or look at what I had written. They just said - it's not for me to assess and made the referral!

It did help me to be prepared though. I think since your children are being assessed there is an even stronger chance that they will take you seriously, due to the genetic link. I know it's easier said than done but go in there with the confidence that you know yourself and that you are worthy of an assessment. Hope it all works out for you, let me know how you get on!

Hi @BeachedOff , sorry its taken so long to reply to your message. The chaos of Easter and everything!
Thats really good youve started to get the ball rolling with it all and hopefully you'll get an assessment date soon! Keep us updated on how it all goes!

I had my appointment with the Dr and he agreed to refer me, I've been looking at a couple of different places to get referred to, hopefully I'll get it all sent off today. It feels like such a nerve wrecking thing waiting for it all to be accepted and then wondering what the outcome will be!

Hi @Tiredmum1223 I totally agree it's such a nerve wracking thing, even though I'm in the system waiting for an assessment I still get really anxious and worry that they will just randomly decide not to do my assessments. Hopefully a date comes through soon 🤞. I feel a bit like my life is on hold mentally.

I'm soooo pleased that the Dr agreed to refer you! That's brilliant news. How are you feeling about it all now? If you ever want someone to chat to, I'd be happy to. I don't really know anyone in my position in real life, it feels like quite a lonely space to be in sometimes!

It’s such challenging time when you go through diagnosis. I’ve been there!
However, it can also be such a great thing and a catalyst for positive change. It just takes a bit of time to understand yourself through a this new lens, but it can be lens which makes a lot more sense!
I’m a coach and often work with with neurodivergent individuals (currently part way through a diploma in neurodiversity)… let me know if I can help at all. Doesn’t feel right to look for business here so I’d be happy to offer you a pro bono space (I always offer a few and have one coming up shortly). Drop me a line if you’re interested, I’m fully trained (masters degree) and accredited (EMCC)…. etc
http://linkedin.com/in/lorna-macdougall-bb773a2a5
[email protected]

I've handed in the paperwork, just waiting for it all to be sent off and now I just have my fingers crossed that my referral is accepted 😬🤞! You're right though, it really does just feel like life is on hold waiting for it to happen. Now I'm worrying that I'm just wasting their time and it's nothing 🤦‍♀️, all the emotions!

I hope you hear something soon and get a date! It's crazy it takes this long for an assessment and even this is quick compared to the actual NHS waiting list!
Thank you, I might take you up on that, it is such a lonely thing to go through, especially if people don't get it or understand why you're doing it!

@BeachedOff did you get your appointment in the end? I’ve had mine in April an am combined adhd and autistic. I have to wait till September before I’m eligible for meds for adhd it was fairly straight forward they just speak with you really and ask you some questions