bid Report post Posted February 3, 2007 Hi all, A month ago I had my long-awaited appointment to see if I might have AS, as recommended by my youngest son's paediatrician (that memorable occasion when she said 'Your son is fine Mrs H, but you on the other hand... ). Bearing in mind that my eldest son has a dx, my dad had a dx, and other family members with difficulties. Anway, her original suggestion of going to Elliot House eventually ended up as my being seen by the local mental health team (funding, I guess?). Well, it was all of the most worst-case scenarios you can possibly imagine! I talked to a Social Worker for an hour and a half, she briefed the psychiatrist for no more than 15 mins, and then he saw me for another 15-20 mins. I got it all: wanting a 'label', jumping on the band-wagon of the recent popularity of AS, I couldn't have AS because people with AS don't care what people think about them, live isolated lives and don't have successful relationships, what about a personality disorder...and, my personal favourite, I could just choose the label I felt most comfortable with!! He was extremely passive-aggressive and not interested in anything I had written about myself or what I had said to the SW. So, this morning I finally received my copy of the report! It had been written by the SW, who has done a very good job of describing my difficulties at length. I am described as 'Clinically well dressed and well kempt ( ), closed body language and no eye contact. NOW, the strange bit...under 'Diagnosis', apparently Dr X 'explained that Mrs H presented with some traits of ASD, and the concept of personality disorder was also discussed.' Er, would that be the 15 mins when I had to fight my corner against all the cr*p as described above, including him trying to say I had OCD (which I definitely don't!)?? On the plus side, I was terrified that the report would make me out to be the Mad Woman from Planet Mad, because that was how the psychiatrist made me feel...and I do feel confident to push for a proper assessment with a specialist team now. But, blimey!! How bizarre...reading it, I think I must have been at a different appointment to the professionals!! Phew! Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted February 3, 2007 bid, that's exactly the reason why I decided against going down a similar route... being lucky enough to have the option that was open to me otherwise I'd still be wondering. Sounds like you have a lot of evidence in your report to approach another route (I'll pm you with the option I'd mentioned to you a while ago as soon as I dig out the information). Anyway, kudos to you for having the courage to stand your ground during the appointment... I know I couldn't have done it. Clinically well dressed Now heck... what did they expect? That you'd turn up in your nighty with custard and gravy smeared down the front??? Flo <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted February 3, 2007 Hi Bid <'> <'> <'> A (rather plump!) dicky bird has some thoughts on the situation which he'd like me to share with you. The concept of "personality disorder" is usually discussed when the patient has the temerity not to agree with the obviously superior world view of the psychiatrist. The added advantage for the doctor is that any dissent or "rudeness" can be explained away by the behaviour of the patient rather than the incompetence of the medic or the scientific bankruptcy of the term. Conveniently, personality disorder is traditionally deemed to be an untreatable condition, so the patient can also be told to get lost without any guilt on the part of the doctor. Don't sweat it - find somebody else who actually has some expertise in ASD. Go get em My thoughts now - at least one thing in the report is correct - you are very well kempt. (shouldn't the opposite of "unkempt" be "kempt"?? ) K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted February 3, 2007 (edited) Thanks, guys! Actually it was a really distressing experience, as the psych. basically did a bit of a character assassination on me Jester was there, and for what it's worth his interpretation of the appointment was this: he felt that the SW thought I had AS, from the way she talked to me and the explanations she offered for some of the things I said. Interestingly, he says her body-language when the psych was talking to me spoke volumes...he says she was actually moving further and further away from him as he was talking, until she got to the door of the room! (Mind you, I guess she just might have been keen to get home! ) What annoyed me, amongst other things, was that he questioned the need for a 'label', while being quite happy to push the wrong label onto me (OCD)...I did point this out to him! I also told him he was wrong about people with AS not caring what other people think about them...I told him my son cares! Oh well, the report was much better than I feared, but still, a horrible experience And I guess the moral of the story is that it's probably best to refuse politely to see anyone who isn't a specialist in the field of adult ASD. Bid But at least I know I am officially clinically well-dressed!! Edited February 3, 2007 by bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted February 3, 2007 No Aspies couldn't care less about what other people think about them...which is why we go to such great pains to avoid being the centre of attention, trying desperately hard to fit in and all the rest of it. I just love the fact that he didn't want to stick a label on you, but was happy to...stick a label on you I'm not going to start ranting as I've only just calmed down from my own NHS psych. experience on Monday. At least you got complimented on being well-dressed. I now feel like such a scruff as no-one said this to me Bid, if you want the name of someone who actually specialises in adult ASDs (and isn't NHS) then just give me a shout Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
florrie Report post Posted February 3, 2007 (edited) Hi Bid, i have just had a similar experience, well similar in that they disagree with everything that you have to say, it is bizzare ihaven' read my report yet and I don't think they will be sending one despite knowing that I would like one so that i can correct any misinterpetations. i can' t help feelling angry and very distressed that this is going on so much The Neil can you let me know of who you of who you suggest in the specialism of asd Edited February 3, 2007 by florrie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted February 3, 2007 Oh Bid....sounds a total nightmare for you What the heck does clinically well dressed mean? OOOhhhhh, I'm definately coming to the next southern meet up just to see I've got a sneaky feeling I'm the opposite of that Good for you fighting your corner, it must of been difficult....hope you can find someone who is helpful and knowledgeable. Take care <'> <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loulou Report post Posted February 3, 2007 Hi Bid, What an experience to have to go through . If it had been me i would have run out of the appointment crying, then probably been "labelled" as hysterical . <'> <'> Loulou xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karen A Report post Posted February 3, 2007 Hi bid I am sorry you had such an unhelpful experience.Don't know what they would make of me....not even well dressed. Regards Karen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted February 3, 2007 Thanks everyone <'> I was in floods...trying to fight my corner with tears streaming down my face was awful Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted February 3, 2007 Clinically well dressed Now heck... what did they expect? That you'd turn up in your nighty with custard and gravy smeared down the front??? Flo <'> Undoubtedly. And going 'er Urg Urrrrggggggggghhhhh' like a certain Little Britain character, I'll bet! Bid, old bean: The mad mad woman from planet mad?? Sounds a fair appraisal to me! But being the mad mad woman from planet mad DOESN'T rule out being AS as well, does it? Keep going... Next stop Elliot House (and/or planet mad!) perhaps you can get diagnosed at one and take holiday's on the other! L&P BD <'> <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiley Report post Posted February 3, 2007 <'> Clinically well dressed!! Sorry to hear you had such a horrid time <'> <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krystaltps Report post Posted February 3, 2007 Clinically well-dressed? My guess would be well-dressed in a clinical way - were you wearing a dapper white lab-coat? Perhaps some attractive rubber gloves? The man is obviously a foooool! A trumped up version of Trinny and Suzanna. Poor you. Get yourself off to someone who knows what they are talking about. <'> <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted February 3, 2007 If I had been clinically badly-dressed, do you think he would have referred me to T and S?? Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JsMum Report post Posted February 4, 2007 In some small way you are where you are with the system as J is, J was refused funding to attend a specialist centre, we are now in appeals stage, because the PCT want him to be seen again by the local Child psychiatrist, who doesnt have any specialist in ASD, and was very happy to discharge J on knowing he couldnt do any more. so my GP refeered J to the childrens team who again is just a community doctor, no real specialist and so Js peadatrition Consultant who is a specialist in another area and cant actually diagnose ASD referred him to this outside specialist centre but PCT refused to fund it until all is exhausted in our area, which we have done, so we are still in no mans land, having gone full circle all because at the end of the day there is NO Real specialist in our area. we are not giving up and we are going to this panel if we loose I am going to raise the funds my self. What really highlighted my concerns is the local ASD support group have a range of ages with the signs of ASD but no real diagnoses, and our ADHD group have children with traits of ASD but no real diagnoses because they are in the same situation where there is no real specialist in the area/ no specialist no possible diagnoses. what is a comfort is that I am not the only one struggling with this and I will try my best for J to be assessed by the right people, already CAHMS have labled my child with lables that have not been very supportive, things like ODD, Anxiety Disorder, where the Consultant thinks these are signs of ASD, not the lables CAMHS gave J. So just to reasure you this is a big problem for many of us trying to get a proper investigation from people who are actually specialists in the field. our tribunal is at the end of this month. JsMum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted February 4, 2007 Thanks J'sMum It's quite ironic, really, because like you I was fighting to get my eldest son a dx 11 odd years ago I can remember a consultant (not ASD specialist) having almost the same conversation with me about 'labels' as I had at my appointment. Seems nothing much has changed... Good luck with your fight for you son <'> I found that when we did get to the specialist diagnostic centre, the professionals there actually listened to what we were saying, rather than cross-examining us. I'm sure you'll get there, and find your specialist centre supportive and understanding too <'> Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bullet Report post Posted February 6, 2007 Sorry your assessment didn't go well Bid. I think a lot of people have a very stereotypical idea of what AS/autism is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Report post Posted February 6, 2007 Bid, that sounds awful. I wish I could pop round for a sympathy cup of tea and biscuits. What a total he sounds. It goes to show what a woeful lack of knowledge there is out there about ASD / AS in the professional world (and I use the term professional in its loosest possible way) At least you got complimented on being well-dressed. I now feel like such a scruff as no-one said this to me Did you perchance turn up in your nighty with gravy and custard stains down the front? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted February 6, 2007 Did you perchance turn up in your nighty with gravy and custard stains down the front? Erm...maybe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
butterfingersbimbo Report post Posted February 6, 2007 what a $%&*�! to talk to you like that!!!! i think if you had taken a brick and mentioned that you saw that episode of crimewatch you might have got somewhere..... i hope that you dont give up, fair play to you for going in the first place it must have been really awful!!! <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
