Goverment lacks funding for adult AS assessment

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Laz, good on you for being of use to society. It sounds like you're happily adapted.

Locustman, I've had 3 shrinks in four years so far and it looks like there's going to be more as she wants me to move to see someone who lives in my area. How useful. So by the time I get assessed I may be up to 6 shrinks too. LOL. I agree with you on the false economy statement. However, being a genuine misanthropist with many interests and talents I can live very happily on benefits.

The reason I found out 6 months later was because I missed out on the last shrink visit by accident. If I'd gone to the one 3 months earlier, I would have found out that the request had been declined 3 months previous. But still, a letter would have been a sign of a functional society.

Hmm... Despite all the recent fuss about people only just realising we exist, adults with AS are a low priority. As has already been pointed out, it is false economy to refuse services on the grounds that we have survived so far, therefore we must not need any help. However, refusing this in the short-term means that we may never be able to reach our potential (thus contributing to the whole tax and NI thing) just to save on minor expenses such as the cost of providing the Dx. In the long-term, it is much more efficient to spend the initial outlay which gives us access to whatever help we need (if it is availible).
There are many more diagnostic services for children than adults, which only adds to the difficulty. Also there is the issue of misdiagnosis, which is why many of us try to stay "below the radar" of the mental health system.
As for the University screening programme, they are considering getting someone to come in a couple of times in each academic year to run the screening and diagnostic process, as they do for things like dyslexia and dyspraxia. This will depend on funding, of course....