DIAGNOSIS HURDLE HELP!!!!!!!!!

[billiekoolkatz123]

Hi !

 

I went to my Gp today to try and get a referral for an assessment / diagnosis for autism/aspergers.

 

 

I already have Dyspraxia, diagnosed at 13 but it as been clear to me that i have other problems besides that and Aspergers description describes me and my issues down to a T.

 

Anyway i was nervous enough going and I often find it difficult to make myself understood/ coherent. Which is what happened today even though I had written stuff down on a piece of paper. The G.P was of the opinion that just because i have Dyspraxia does not mean I have Aspergers which is not what i was trying to tell him. And as I have been to see lots of therapists and been diagnosed with all sorts of things or they just have had no idea what is wrong, he seemed to take it that i was criticising the fact that Aspergers and or autism has not been picked up.

 

he also insinuated that as I have seen so many specialists then surely ti would have been picked up I tried to say that I have read up on the subject on the nation Autistic society website and that it is common for people to be misdiagnosed or for it to be missed but he still seemed to think i was making a criticism.(rather than being factual).

 

Then he said that I have seen a psychiatrist in 2006 for anxiety and that he would write to them. Now you might wonder why all the fuss, well this was a doctor who then referred me to some therapy place who then decided they knew something was wrong but they did not know what.

 

So i dont see the point of going to see this person plus the fact my case with them is closed it is not ongoing and I knwo that she doesn't specialise in autism . and on the NAS site it says it is preferable to be referred to someone who specialises in autism diagnoses. I tried to make this point to the doctor but then he seems to take it that i was doing his job for him. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Oh and he said I already have one label of Dyspraxia and why would i want another and i tried to tell him because there is lots of help available that I could access and also it would make me feel better and others who know me. I struggled at college and it would be nice to know so I can make people aware.

 

 

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I am so frustrated and annoyed . i have no idea what to do.It is quite ironic that this is a condition that can be diagnosed but to get one as an adult means persuading the G.P and making oneself coherent which is not my forte at the best of times. And what is more i do not consider myself to be a stupid individual.......

 

Ans seeing as I have poor social skills etc it is not like i have an army of people lined up that i can take with me for my support hELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP????????

 

 

[Sally44]

Rather than going for another face to face discussion. Would it be easier to write a letter to your GP? Can you find out where adults can be assessed for AS or ASD and speak to them to find out how to get a referal?

 

I know some adults have paid privately to be seen. Have you phoned the NAS helpline and asked them for this information, or emailed them for this information?

 

As you rightly say, as you have social communication issues, if you are on the spectrum, then I think that is useful for it to be on your file. And you maybe able to access some help due to your diagnosis.

[JsMum]

Just to reasure you that you can have Dyspraxia and Aspergers Syndrome together and they are called co morbids.

 

This website is interesting and explains how difficult it is for ADULTS to recieve a Diangosis especially when there is other co morbids been dx first, and mental health is also a contribunting factor because ASD needs go unmet.

 

My son has Mental Health Disorders and ASD and you have to treat both, not just one or the other.

 

I would look at the website as it diverts you onto National Autistic Society.

 

There is also your local authoritys PALS which stands for Patient Advisory Liasons Service and they will ensure that you get a referal to a Service that specialises in Autistic Spectrum Disorder for Adults.

 

The website also has other Autism related websites too.

 

I would at the same time write a letter detailing your requirements basically a formal letter stating you feel you have suspected Aspergers Syndrome or Autistic Spectrum Disorder and would like a referral to a specialist Service that assess and dx ASDs.

 

NAS have a list of proffessionals that you may be referred to.

 

It is very difficult to recieve a dx but with the right support you will hopefully have an assessment soonx

 

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Autism/Pages/Di...isinadults.aspx

 

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Autistic-spec...fQuestions.aspx

 

JsMumxxx

 

Edited March 30, 2010 by JsMum

[cmuir]

Hi

 

Can you see another GP in the practice and take someone with you to help?

 

Remember, GPs are general practitioners. They're not experts and that's where the difficulty can lie – unfortunately, some of them think they are (my son's GP made the diagnostic process unnecessarily long!).

 

Caroline.

[lynne]

 

 

Writing a letter to the GP asking for a referral to a specialist in ASD due to you having the following symptons................

 

If this does not work than contact PALS. They will work with you to get your message across. The majority of complaints which PALS deal with is due to poor communication. As in your case your GP is not allowing you to voice your opinions and concerns without being dominating.

 

 

Good luck

[Tally]

It's very common to have difficulty getting a referral to be assessed for AS.

 

A referral to a psychiatrist is better than no referral at all. The psychiatrist might know some more about AS than your GP.

 

When I was looking for a referral, one thing that turned out extremely helpful was a letter written by my mum about all the things that worried her about me, right from infancy through childhood and to the present day. If you can show that your difficulties are lifelong, then that pretty much rules out mental illness as a cause (although it's quite feasible for you to have additional mental health problems as well as AS, which can complicate things).

 

You do know that there is minimal help available, even with a diagnosis, right?

[zenemu]

Oh and he said I already have one label of Dyspraxia and why would i want another and i tried to tell him because there is lots of help available that I could access and also it would make me feel better and others who know me.

 

Hi Billie,

 

Out of everything you said in your post, I found the above to be the most concerning. Does your local practice have several GP's? and if so can you arrange to see a different Doctor? The attitude of your doctor strikes me as a little counter productive to say the least.

 

Can I suggest you write to your local surgery (prefferably to a different Doctor), explaining your concerns and symptoms. Explain that a written statement is easier for you than talking one to one with a GP. Ask for an appointment to come in so that you can discuss soley this issue and if you can arrange for an advocate (family member or friend - someone you are comfortable talking to) to come with you. Discuss with whoever you choose to take with you the issues and points that you want to get across.

 

It can be incredibly difficult to get these points across (I know how you feel, I hate going to doctor and I do get a bit flustered and tongue tied myself with them sometimes). Bottom line though, this is quite important, and it is essential that you take as many steps as you can to make the whole thing as comfortable for yourself as possible. Communication is the key here.

 

Good luck.

 

Zen