Professional Diagnoses - Who to see first?

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Hi everyone.

Only over the last three months have I become aware of Asperger's Syndrome. The reason it's existance alluded until now was due to it being a neurological condition rather than a Psychiatric one. I've been aquinted with the mental health system since I was 12 for various from problems - Depression, Social Anxiety and Anorexia Nervosa. But when you've had numerous mental health problems from your pre-teens to your early twenties, have no history of unusual traumic events in your life which might of triggered them or anything that could be seens as a root cause, the more you'd like answers for the cause of all the bother. I'd given-up on finding out the reasons for my difficulties until I ran across an article on Asperger's. The more I read into it, the more I become interested in wether or not I'm on the spectrum. I seem to exibit alot of the traits (but I'm not going to bore you with anymore details, some I mentioned on my intro post). After weeks of discusion with close family (who can reminise farther back than I can), We decided to go about finding someone who can help.

Question is - Where and who?

I'm reluctant to go to my GP, due to hearing a number of stories, quite a number don't have a great knowledge of ASDs. Nor do Psychiatrists. I raised the question with my own, but she choose to blank it, focusing more on getting my consent to attend an outpatient center for other reasons.

I also contacted an Autism support charity in my area who were helpful on the phone, but yet to get back to me with any relevant information about an assesment.

Anyway, I'm rambling.

My question really is - Who is the right person to give an assesment? A Psychologist, a Psychologist specialising in ASDs or a Neuropsychologist?

I'm willing to go private for this. My mother works in the mental health system and is trying to get me an appointment with a Psychologist who has 'some experience with Autism'. But are there any better options?

Any feedback would be really appreciated. Especially from anyone diagnosed as an Adult.

Some private may require a GP as well. I recommend if possible going to a GP that is also a paediatrician. Sounds strange but they have training on ASD/PDDs, Normal GPs don’t have guaranteed training on anything to do with head matters, if is completely up to them. That is what I did. I'm not sure how easy it is usually I happened to have one in my practice and I transferred because my old GP was useless.

h,i had the same problem when i tried to get help in northern ireland as well ( tyrone here)

there is a lot of help available and the NAS has adult and young adult support groups going throughout the north ( last week was go karting in newry)

there are many psychologists who dont know anything about As and even more GP's who dont know much at all.

i suggest you can im me and we exchange details.


Dont worry, im happily married, not looking for a date.

Hi "Nothingunusual",

It's really important that you find someone who specialises in 'ASD's; many 'professionals' who are legally able to make a formal diagnosis lack the necessary understanding of Aspergers Syndrome to make a competent diagnosis.

I think a clinical psychologist is best; they are more likely to be educated about AS than psychiatrists (I received my formal diagnosis during my twenties from a clinical psychologist ). And of course a clinical psychologist who specialises in autistic spectrum 'disorders' is best of all.

I think that the best way to find a good one in your area is by recommendation from other people; check out Donkeys' info, and pump any local autism societies for information- keep calling them. Try posting on this British based forum too-

Asperger & ASD UK Online Forum ( LINK )

Also, you're really cute!

Good luck,
Magliabechi.

Thanks Guys! Much appreciated.

If you were especially close with/found anyone especially good/trustworthy in the mental health system it can be an good way to get help as they have access to everything and they get listened to. I've was in the mental health system for five years with similar problems, depression, self harm, anorexia, bpd before I found a psychologist who pushed her thoughts on aspergers even though my psychs all said no because I am nothing like Rain Man
I got referred to our local Autism centre and was officially diagnosed.
The NAS in the UK is really really good and the mental health system can be good.
If you like and trust your GP then talk to them.

If you have to go to a GP, make sure to emphasize the trouble you're having--concrete problems that are holding you back somewhere. (If you don't have those, you don't really need a diagnosis, IMO.) You needn't actually mention Asperger's at all; and in many cases it makes sense not to do so because a GP is a generalist who may have only a vague idea of what AS is. All you need to do is give him enough info so that he can decide whether a referral makes sense.

I'm not too fond of my GP and I think the feeling might be mutual, so I'm a bit apprehensive about going to him about this. But it isn't completely out of the equation, since I think I might have to try a number of different routes.