"You don't seem very aspergery to me"

[RudeBoy]

Thats what I was told by the Dr on my last visit. I have visited again today and was told that they are not prepared to spend the resources on me to get me a diagnosis because I am now an adult.

 

Basically it has been a bit of a whirlwind. I went on a stress management course and on the Myers Briggs I scored off the chart as an introspective introvert. The teacher asked if I had cheated to which I replied I hadn't. She asked to see me after the rest had gone. We stayed and spoke and she asked me "Did I do this?", "Did I do that etc" I replied yep I did. It was like a lightbulb going off. I was lucky enough that her PHD was ASD research related.

 

I asked my parents about me as a child. Apparently, I had a thing for taking phones and such to pieces and putting them back together again. That and I was labeled "A naughty boy". At school I was a library person, never really socializing. I would rather do books that talk to people etc.

 

To cut a longer story short, I display many many traits and have even been told by an LD nurse I display all the classic traits. Including terrible verbal skills, no eye contact. I don't do crowds, getting quite anxious. If my routine is disturbed I get quite upset. Even if my girlfriend comes in an hour before she said she would, it makes me all on edge. Yet another example, I don't like writing because I fear people may see what I write. This goes to the point where I just don't write things. I also have a strange thing where non sensical words pop into my head and I feel compelled to say them. Other bits include saying inappropriate things, not bad things, but not taking into account social contexts. Poor humor you might say.

 

Ruminations - yep. I ruminate on how many seconds I have left on this earth. Triggered usually by adverts that advertise interest free for x years

 

The Dr just wasn't interested and refused to refer me. She even said it is better I don't have one because nothing would be achieved and a diagnosis would mean it was harder to find a new job. I was job smacked at her lack of understanding.

 

I will write and also include my HR dept who said if I can get one they can help me work better as it would be classed as a disability and they are obliged to help

 

Can anyone offer any advice on getting a diagnosis as an adult ?

 

Thanks

 

RudeBoy

 

[trekster]

Thats what I was told by the Dr on my last visit. I have visited again today and was told that they are not prepared to spend the resources on me to get me a diagnosis because I am now an adult.

 

Considering this is a lifelong disability that makes no sense to me. Sounds like they are just trying to save money and people like yourself get in trouble as a result of it.

Basically it has been a bit of a whirlwind. I went on a stress management course and on the Myers Briggs I scored off the chart as an introspective introvert. The teacher asked if I had cheated to which I replied I hadn't. She asked to see me after the rest had gone. We stayed and spoke and she asked me "Did I do this?", "Did I do that etc" I replied yep I did. It was like a lightbulb going off. I was lucky enough that her PHD was ASD research related.

 

Could you get some help from her to get a diagnosis? Maybe she could write a letter to the doctor explaining the importance of a diagnosis?

I asked my parents about me as a child. Apparently, I had a thing for taking phones and such to pieces and putting them back together again. That and I was labelled "A naughty boy". At school I was a library person, never really socializing. I would rather do books that talk to people etc.

 

i was the same with kinder surprise and lego models. Also my mum still thinks of me as a naughty girl and ive got a diagnosis.

To cut a longer story short, I display many many traits and have even been told by an LD nurse I display all the classic traits. Including terrible verbal skills, no eye contact. I don't do crowds, getting quite anxious. If my routine is disturbed I get quite upset. Even if my girlfriend comes in an hour before she said she would, it makes me all on edge. Yet another example, I don't like writing because I fear people may see what I write. This goes to the point where I just don't write things. I also have a strange thing where nonsensical words pop into my head and I feel compelled to say them. Other bits include saying inappropriate things, not bad things, but not taking into account social contexts. Poor humour you might say.

 

Sound all asperger characteristics to me. The nonsensical words though could be delayed echolalia where a word or term is repeated after sticking in our heads.

Ruminations - yep. I ruminate on how many seconds I have left on this earth. Triggered usually by adverts that advertise interest free for x years

 

Im the same and i find aspergers and rumination tend to go together unfortunately.

The Dr just wasn't interested and refused to refer me. She even said it is better I don't have one because nothing would be achieved and a diagnosis would mean it was harder to find a new job. I was job smacked at her lack of understanding.

 

I will write and also include my HR dept who said if I can get one they can help me work better as it would be classed as a disability and they are obliged to help

 

Can anyone offer any advice on getting a diagnosis as an adult ?

 

Thanks

 

RudeBoy

 

Her behaviour is well out of order, whether a service exists is beside the point. Any chance you could try and ask for a 2nd opinion? NICE has created some new guidelines for diagnosing autism in adults. http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp...294&a=20897

 

Also on the NAS site http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1567&a=7547 has some regional teams in the UK.

Good luck!

 

Alexis

 

[Sally44]

Try the National Autistic Society. They should be able to give you information about any local or national centres for diagnosis.

 

Some other adults have posted that they have to pay for a private diagnosis.

[Tally]

It sounds like your GP has a very poor understanding, because many of the things you have mentioned point towards Asperger's, or certainly something worth investigating.

 

Is there someone who knows you well who might be able to attend an appointment with you? They could explain your difficulties as they see them, which can sometimes be very different to the way we see ourselves. They may also be able to communicate more clearly.

 

There is some truth in there being little point in obtaining a diagnosis. There certainly is very little formal support available even with a diagnosis.

 

In reality, it can be extremely difficult to get an NHS assessment, even with a supportive GP. Some adults have managed to get their university to fund an assessment, but most do end up having to go private.

 

It sounds as though you have an understanding employer who would like the necessary information needed to support you in your job. Do they have an occupational health department who might be able to assess your difficulties and needs in the workplace? That might be enough evidence to show that you can be considered "disabled" and need to be offered adjustments.

[Sally44]

Some professionals do still hold the view that "any label is to the detriment of the individual". However, as you have said, having a diagnosis can also gain you access to supports that you may not otherwise be entitled to. It gives you access to things like disability discrimination law. Access to social services in some cases. Disability Living Allowance, or Carers Allowance for someone that helps you. You may have access to Direct Payments if you need someone to help with certain aspects of daily living.

On the down side, yes there are employers who would not want to employ anyone with a diagnosis of anything. But I don't know if you have to declare a diagnosis of Aspergers. I think it is classed as a 'disorder' and not a 'medical condition'. But I'm sure others will know better than me.

[KezT]

You do not have to have a dx to be clasified as disabled under the DDA - and therefore eligable for the employment protections. Although a dx obviously helps as evidence of your disability;) But if your employer accepts that you have ongoing problems with some aspects of day to day living, that have been there for more than 6 months and are likely to remain for more than a year, you are disabled under DDA.

 

You also do not have to declare any medical condition when applying for a job, but if it turns out that any condition you knew about adversely affects your ability to do the job in any way, the employer can consider that to be gross misconduct for not supplying them with all relevent information at the outset and therefore sack you without warning Most application forms have a box asking you to declare anything of relevance to cover the employers for exactly this sort of situation, but even if they don't, you're on risky ground by not informing them - especially if you then want them to support you in any way.

[JsMum]

 

 

 

I think your GP was very insentative and should of at least listened and done a referral, it is never too old to get a dx once you become an adult, many Parents have seeked dx after their own children are dx as they never heard of it before, for some its only when thier children are dx do they recognise something similair.

 

I personally would request a second opinion, defo contact NAS there is a specialist centre that dx Adults, so it cant be true that just because your an adult it is not nessasary to get a dx as this place wouldnt exists if that was the case, I know of a man in his 60s recieved a dx.

 

It is never too late to recieve a dx.

 

JsMumxxx

 

[Vanna]

Rude boy - I just wanted to say good luck with the process. I am going through it myself but have not actually seen a doc yet, just waiting for the appt. Im also a bit worried about it for the same reasons as you. I agree, you should try hard to get a second opinion. You can ask to see someone else. Also this condition is relatively new, depending on your age, it may not have really been around as a kid. I know I was already in my late teens by then - so any services are not worried about you if your almost an adult or definatly an adult, I guess you just gotta make some more noise. Well hang in there and I hope it works out.

 

I took the AQ test and got a 41 and also took the personality test and turns out I am introverted sensing feeling judging (wow, gasp, didnt say that coming.

here is a good article that I found I almost feels like they are writing about me. I think it really goes a long way to explaing ourselves to us, and why we do x, y and z.

good luck!

 

http://www.aspires-relationships.com/as_grows_up.htm (mods, maybe this can be a sticky, I think it is invaluable in learning??) just a thought ...

 

 

You do not have to have a dx to be clasified as disabled under the DDA - and therefore eligable for the employment protections.

 

 

KezT - where can you find out this info? That would be great for me as well, an adult having recently evaluated that 95% of the symptoms sounds like they are so me...

Just in case I need to prove anything anytime. Then I guess I need to figure out how to get any DDA forms and what to do next, I know theres another section on here...

 

Vanna

[KezT]

I have an interest in Employment law and access to the CAB advisornet which is quite helpful:)

 

but there is plenty of info on the web - the gov't website is a good place to start - quite easy to understand. The definition of a disability is here

 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople...ghts/dg_4001069

 

But protection under DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) is to ensure you do not get discriminated against in employment, goods or services - it will not get you anything extra and there are no forms to complete - unless you're employer completes aditional risk assessment/occ health forms for you. You are probably thinking about DLA (Disability Living Allowance) which is a non-means tested benefit available to help disabled people with care needs and/or mobility. Their definition of disability is different as it is based on specific needs and abilities.

Edited December 16, 2009 by KezT

[Vanna]

KezT, cheers for that. I will look into it tomorrow. too tired now! lol

[RudeBoy]

Hi Everyone,

 

Sorry for the late reply but things have been a little off the wall. I got annoyed last night, just going over the conversation in my head. I have therefore set about composing a letter of complaint to the practice in question. I don't know why but I couldn't let it drop.

 

I have actually asked them to confirm in writing they are not willing to diagnose me, due to lack of funds, despite the fact the action was recommended by two professionals. So I will get fobbed off I hear them cry. Not when you copy the local PALS, and the HR dept of a government dept who know all about this.

 

Mind I may still get told "No" but at least I can say to HR I have tried. I am getting in touch with Access to work, who help people covered under the DDA to get changes that help them (At no cost to the employer. You get assesed by an independent (Qualified) consultant who feeds back possible coping strategies, or equipment etc) I mention it because it may be of use to others. Link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople...mmes/DG_4000347

 

I will keep you informed. I have calmed down a little now, but you know how we tend to obsess sometimes

 

The question was asked, could these people not help. It's difficult because I am closely related to one and the other, unfortunately, has had a stroke and cannot really help as she has issues of her own. I may however drop her a kind email and ask. Coming from a pro it may help. Nothing ventured and all that!

 

As for DLA, doesn't bother me. I won't be applying.Although a disabled rail pass would save me thousands a year in my commuting costs. All I want is a diagnosis really.

 

I may well end up going private. However HR may pay for it. I will ask. I just know I haven't got the money.

 

It's very strange because the person who held my post before me was V V high up the scale as it where. It's strange how we tend to gravitate to certain jobs.

 

 

[trekster]

Try the National Autistic Society. They should be able to give you information about any local or national centres for diagnosis.

 

Some other adults have posted that they have to pay for a private diagnosis.

 

The only problem with a private diagnosis is how do you respond when they say "we cant take you seriously as you paid for your label?"

 

Unless you dont always have to disclose where you got the diagnosis from?