First step accomplished for diagnosis as (female) adult

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I think I'm in the right section. This may be of interest to the other as yet undiagnosed adults here.

I saw my doctor today and he's agreed to try and get me a referral to the specialist. Don't know how long that'll take on the NHS, but it's a good start!

My method was this: I had already put together a list of all my AS-like traits some time before, organised chronologically under headings like INFANCY, EARLY CHILDHOOD, and so on. Key on the list was the fact that I'd been diagnosed OCD at thirteen and referred for counselling, because it flagged that there WAS something wrong even at that age, although nobody could figure out what it was. I stated that I was looking to be assessed for high-functioning autism and/or Aspergers, the doctor asked why, and at that point I simply gave him the list which he then read with apparent interest.

We'd already found the specialist we wanted; my mother had actually spoken to him on the phone to find out his private rates (which are unfortunately too high for us). So when the doctor said he'd think about who to refer me to, I already had the contact information ready to give him. Doctors like it when you do the work beforehand.

It all went very smoothly. If, like me, you communicate better in writing, take heart because I'm starting to find that people are surprisingly willing to read something if you shove it into their hands!



Tips: I'd say the most important one is to know what your doctor is like as a person. My mother was already acquainted with all the doctors in the practice, and she made the appointment, picking the one she thought was most sympathetic.

Also use big words, like hyperlexia, and prosopagnosia Doctors don't always like people who come in clutching sheafs of computer printouts and looking shifty-eyed, but for an Aspergers assessment it's practically required. (only kidding!)

Just out of curiosity (because I live in the US), what does it cost to see a private doctor in the UK?

Apparantly, there is one place doing it for FREE!! !! ! The sad part is that adults probably have to pay a LOT in the US, but kids and poor people and people that have big problems may pay a good deal less. 8-(

Steve