Assessment in few weeks

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Hi everybody,

The road was long to get there... I have my assessment in few weeks.

I haven't got my date for assessment yet but I have been referred for it.

But good luck, you have any idea about what happens?

I noticed you're in the UK. I am too.
I think assessment differs between areas. I asked to be referred for assessment quite a few weeks ago now. I was also referred to a new psychiatrist anyway before I asked for the assessment. I got an appointment through to see him, I wasn't sure whether or not he would assess me, so I took in everything I'd printed out which I felt indicated Asperger's.
As it happens, he had got my GPs referral letter. He asked me loads of questions and also spoke to my husband as I brought him with me for support and to fill in any blanks (because when I'm stressed my mind tends to go blank and I can't speak). He skimmed what I'd printed but said he'd read it properly later on as obviously the appointment was for a limited time, and I had printed out nine pages.
At the end of the appointment, he told me that he felt I quite obviously have Asperger's, but that he didn't want to officially diagnose me. He said stuff about it being up to me to disclose if I felt I needed to in the future, instead of it being on my medical record for all to see. He seemed to think it may put me at a disadvantage for some things. Anyway, he is happy to write a report of the appointment so I have proof of his verbal diagnosis should I need it.
That was it for me, although I know elsewhere it's a far more complicated and longer process than that. I suppose it would also depend on what you want the outcome to be - if you wanted an official diagnosis on record, I suspect they'd have to do a far more in-depth assessment.
I'm happy to leave it at that right now, because there are other things that also point towards Asperger's for me, my eldest son was diagnosed last year, and I'm pretty sure my dad also has it. I've also seen signs in my youngest two children, and because there doesn't seem to be anyone on the spectrum on my husband's side, I suppose it must come from me if they also have it. And last but not least, I feel as if everything fell into place after reading more and more about it, particularly in adult females, and looking back into my childhood.

OP, best of luck with your assessment

Oh I meant for the assessment itself, I've done all the pre-diagnosis whatevers Talked to the school, me, my parents etc. So many hours. They know more about me than I do myself. They said I was "obviously autistic" and that I need the diagnosis of it and they said I've been referred on but I don't have any clue as to what sort of time frame that'll be. Sorry for not being more specific as to what I meant.

I've heard what happens at diagnosis varies from area to area in the UK.

Mine was done by two people, a consultant psych and an occupational therapist. They asked a LOT of questions. The diagnosis session itself did not leave me feeling very well, but (after a wait of a few months), the write up delighted me.

My advice is just go in and be yourself. If this tactic worked for such a difficult extremist as myself, it might work for you.

That sounds similar to my assessment, I had 2 psychologists and 2 2 hour sessions followed by a further 1 hour session to tie up a few loose ends. I had to wait about a month for my report too.

It was very stressful to go through but I'm glad I did now, It's helping a lot with my family.

I would say it is worth planning out what you want to say, all the reasons you think you have Asperger's, I had particular difficulties in remembering specific examples of my behavior when under the pressure of the assessment situation.

Yes - I had a follow up half hour session, which was more relaxed for me than the assessment.

Thank you. From what I have read, depending on location and experts met, there are different ways of doing an evaluation. But yes I have an idea about what will happens for mine. I made an appointment with a specialist who is known internationally and she told me briefly how it will happen.

I begin to be nervous about it (it is in ten days).

is your write up good? mines basically the guys notes of what I told them both with a thing at the end saying they believe "I am a severely disabled adult on the spectrum"

Even though at the interview thing at the end one said they needed to leave the room and discuss it but as far as he's concerned I'm autistic.

They came back about a minute later and agreed.


ATOS tried to say they weren't qualified to diagnose me.... and it's not a proper report..
I got dla/esa anyway though

I think mines so bad because my gp had to threaten to inform whoever regulates the medical industry about them ignoring all his requests for a report which I finally got about a year later.

but as I said it's basically the guys notes of my life story

Assessment is done !

How'd it go?

The assessment were very well. More than I had expected (but also really intense, I was very tired after that.)

The tests and the interview concluded with a diagnosis of Aspie. I will receive a written report within a few weeks. The specialist I saw also told me about various services that I could benefit. It was intense, but great.

Glad it went well.

Thanks !

Hope your future assessment went well too !

Congratulations - intense is the right word for my experience too.

My write up was a very objective record of what was said and observations of me, which looked like it was meant for my gp, and tacked on at the end was the bit about me being ASD asperger's type. Happy with that.