I'm being assessed at 45 UK

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I've been on this forum for a while wondering am I / aren't I an Aspie.

Finally, someone listened and a consultant has referred me for assessment. He indicated that I might have a personality disorder as well but we would start with being assessed for Aspeger's.

If you are in the UK you have to keep trying and give examples of why you think you might be autistic.

I hope it goes well for you. I got my diagnosis last Feb at the age of 50. The diagnosis took place at the sheffield Aspergers service. They were really good and always treat me with respect. The actual assessment usually only takes about 2 hours in the UK. You go along, do the interview, and they often tell you there and then, I got an answer after about an hour of talking!

In my case having a son with autism made it easier to get taken seriously, since Aspergers is often genetic. Therefore if he had it the chances of me having it were much greater. I also have a very good GP who always takes me seriously

Oh I should point out that I'm talking about adult diagnosis in the UK, for children the process is usually a lot longer.

I'm 25, and I got my diagnosis a few weeks ago after nearly two years.

Yes, my daughter is being assessed and I've been told it could take months.

Did they ask for information from your family? That was mentioned to me although by the consultant who doesn't specialise in the area - so he could be wrong. I though that was just for kids?

Things have changed so much Asperger's wasn't known of when I was you age. Pleased for you that you've been diagnosed at a relatively young age.

the reason they ask for family input is because they need as many sides to the assessment as possible, a person has a limited view on themselves and may see themselves very differently to the reality depending on issues such as self esteem/confidence,memory etc.
its not because are being called a liar its just so they can get a bigger idea,from baby and toddler age onwards,it shoud happen to everyone who is being assessed for developmental disabilities or learning disabilities unless they have absolutely no one close to them around,unfortunately there are some people who fake developmental history because they never had any other input into their assessment.

woud personaly try to get a referal to someone who is experienced in diagnosing ASD as it sounds like from the description he isnt.

He won't be doing the assessing but he made a referral because I attend an eating disorder specialist at a psychiatric hospital and the lady I see wanted me to see him for his input.

Hi Gratin. I'm 46 in the Midlands and have just had a referral from my GP. It followed a long period of thinking about my own situation after my son was diagnosed a few years back. Waiting to hear back about dates. Good luck with your assessment - let us know how it goes. I swing between thinking that I'm doing the right thing and that I'm wasting people's time, but I'm hopeful that mine might help me start explain a few things whatever the outcome.

Nick22 would be interested to hear how you get on too. I'm hoping the same thing, that once I find an explanation I'll be able to shut the door on a lot of things.

Make sure you ask whether the clinician is experienced in female presentation (and has ASC expertise generally!)

Yes I was asked to bring someone to the assessment with me. I took my mother with me, and she was really helpful with the process. They ask you to do this because Autism is a lifelong condition. So if you didn't show possible symptoms as a child then there is a good chance it is something else wrong with you.

As KingdomOfRats said its not because they don't believe you, its because your parents can give supporting evidence to help with obtaining a diagnosis more easily. I learned a whole load of things I wasn't even aware of from my childhood, which greatly supported the diagnosis of Aspergers.

As for your daughter I believe the average time span these days is about 18 months for a diagnosis. They need time to observe her at school and have other avenues explored at the same time, so she will likely be seen by a speech therapist for example, and they will probably have her examined by a psychiatrist to make sure she doesn't have a mental illness - nothing to worry about though.

It's a long winded process, but well worth it in the end.

I was referred in February and yesterday got my appointment for 3 weeks time. It is 2 x 50 mins appointments followed by 1 for feedback. I have not been told to take anyone with me.

Gratin. I think between now and when you go for the diagnosis it will be a really good time to think about all the things which have happened in the past and try and get some thoughts together about which things got in the way and which were things which you'd do again given half the chance. I think we don't do enough of celebrating where we've got to, even if there's more stuff we could do.

Anyway, 'nuff said, but enjoy!