Diagnosis process in UK

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Hi, sorry if these questions have been asked before recently on the forum, but here goes - I hope you can help.

My son was diagnosed with ASD a few years back and I have subsequently found out i have an uncle and another close relative on the spectrum. Since then I have been wondering more about myself. I also was very late to walk and talk and have always found social situations /small talk very stressful (and avoiding them if I can think of any excuse). I find it difficult to know if this is just "shyness" or something else. Where I don't identify with ASD sterotyped descriptions, etc. is a) in the areas of not being able to read people/being undiplomatic - I'd actually describe myself as being very aware of when there might be a possibility of causing annoyance almost to the point of being over-diplomatic. and b) being monotonous, restricted in conversation. When I am forced to I think I can be very entertaining (and I know others think this about me) but it causes me to expend a lot of energy (and tends to be helped with some alcohol...) and i really would rather not get involved. I think what I am trying to say is that I hide things very well indeed.

I think I've decided to make an appointment with my GP with a view to seeing if I can get a referral, but a number of articles I have seen seem to suggest they like to get views from parents, etc. about early development, etc. And I really want to keep my family out of this if possible. Does anyone have any experience with how diagnoses work in the UK and whether this will cause a problem and, indeed, whether I'm just wasting people's time?

Thanks for your help

Can't give you specific advice for adults but ...

You have a child so I assume you're at an age where you can specify whether or not you want to involve your family. Go armed with information on your rights to be referred for an assessment and don't let your GP dissuade you - that happened to me and I haven't had the energy to try again yet!

I was recently diagnosed and I can confirm, that, they do indeed like to hear a good deal about your early development. I myself had my father present to answer such questions.

But as this is not always possible, I assume other methods may be used?

Do you have a regular GP who you have a good relationship with?

In some areas it seems that the diagnosis process can be vague and underfunded. It is important that the person has experience in the field rather than being a general mental health professional.

An official diagnosis will allow you to understand that certain situations can be treated differently for those with ASD than people who are more neurotypical, but I'm sure you understand that when dealing with your son. Otherwise there is very little support for adults on the spectrum.

On the other hand this could reflect negatively on things like health insurance, legal issues and other official processes such as emmigration.

The diagnosis could be conducted without input from family members but will make the process harder.

Have you tried the search function on this site? I do know there have been similar posts that might help you.

Thanks. Yes, I do have a GP who is quite approachable. I shall book an appointment for next week, and in the meantime I'll take your advice and do some more searching for similar posts on the forum which might help.

Please see my signature for my website which has information on your rights as an adult to ASC assessment.

Also, if you look in my profile there is a link to a thread I made with lots of information on this.

I am part way through the process at the moment - waiting for my assessment.

I went to my GP (who actually I'd never seen about anything else as I'd just moved areas) with some thoughts written down as I'm not very good at expressing myself verbally always. She asked me some questions and said she didn't think it seemed like an unreasonable guess. She referred me on for assessment but because nobody assesses adults in our area she then had to apply for funding to send me to Sheffield. This was approved and I'm now awaiting my assessment in 4 1/2 weeks.

The childhood info bit is what worried me a bit too, because none of my family are coming to the assessment (I'm 24), but my Mum and sister both filled in the questionnaire for relatives they send out beforehand so hopefully that will be OK. Although actually I disagree with quite a lot my Mum says as she doesn't think I've got it and hardly thought I hit any of the points on it so I hope we get a chance to discuss that and they aren't already biased before they see me!

It does say on the paperwork that they like to have a parent/relative in for the assessment and to explain why this is not possible or appropriate if it is not so they must have people who don't...

I can let you know when I know more if you want!

I went to see my GP this afternoon. Wrote down some points in advance about why I thought I might be on the spectrum and took these out as a reminder. He listened and was in agreement that it was a sensible thing to investigate. What a relief! Had really not been looking forward to it and thought he might think I was wasting his time. He didn't seeem to sure of appropriate psychologists to refer me to who specialised in adult ASD, but said he'd find out over the next week.

Thanks everyone for your help so far.

That was my experience too.