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ToughDiamond
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28 Apr 2009, 4:56 pm

Greentea wrote:
Why on earth would someone go to a Psychologist/Psychiatrist for a neurological evaluation? Do you find that you tend to go to a plumber for evaluation of your electrical installation?

AS has nothing whatsoever to do with illnesses of the brain (Psychiatry) or environmental trauma (Psychology). What do you expect from a Psychologist or Psychiatrist that claims to be able to diagnose a neurological condition but charlatan money-making?

Those who go to anything but a Neurologist for an AS/NLD evaluation deserve the ridiculous results they get.

Can a diagnosis be got from a neurologist? I never heard of it, and the NAS and NHS Direct talk only of psychologists and psychiatrists - though the more I think about it, the more a neurologist would seem the logical choice of diagnostician.



Ligea_Seroua
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28 Apr 2009, 6:05 pm

It seems strange when I hear the UK lack of diagnosis stories.

Maybe my circumstances were different, a senior specialist needs teacher involved with my son's education discussed with my mother that I had AS (she had to go in my place to meetings at my son's nursery because I was so stressed I could not go in the building and would sit in the car and vomit).
The teacher wrote a letter stating her professional opinion and my mum approached my GP as I refused to have anything to do with it (I was also not leaving the house or talking to people, I didn't see why this was a problem :? )

I was referred firstly to a psychiatrist (this is to rule out anything else, which CAN be treated by local services-because it costs the NHS to refer out of area to a diagnostic centre) then reffered to the diagnostic centre at Sheffield.

The process took 18 months, firstly because NHS psychiatrists do not like being used as a referral service, secondly for my Dr to get funding approval for out of area referral, and thirdly, long waiting list and 18 page form needing to be filled out by my relatives.

I must have been particularly AS on the day, they told me within 5 mins then spent the rest of the appointment talking about unrelated science stuff. :lol:

It's on my NHS record, but, things have been easier when seeing the doctor since.

The only difference I can think of is that the pressure was from others to get a diagnosis.


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Hovis
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29 Apr 2009, 2:48 am

julie_b wrote:
Hovis wrote:
.

The fee was £440 for a two-hour assessment. I did not have to take any tests (I assume that tests would probably be used to assess a child who was not yet able to express themselves so fully, but was not necessary with an adult who could describe their thoughts); he observed me and spoke to me about my life, my interests, what I remembered from childhood and what problems I experienced, and was able to say at the end that in his opinion, I had mild AS. I personally would recommend him and found him very patient and easy to talk to.



Wow 8O that's a lot of money. I'm in Australia and when my sons were tested it cost $800 for 4 two hour sessions and a full written report.


I think a fee in that region is fairly standard for private clinics in Britain (it did also include a report). I had previously tried to get an appointment on the NHS, which would have been free, and my GP was happy to make the referral for me, but the diagnostician required me to fill in a questionnaire he sent first. He wrote that although I showed 'some AS traits', he did not think that I ticked enough boxes, and would not see me in person.



ToughDiamond
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29 Apr 2009, 8:40 am

Ligea_Seroua wrote:
The process took 18 months, firstly because NHS psychiatrists do not like being used as a referral service........

I wonder why not? I'd have thought that was the core of their job, to diagnose clients referred to them. What else do they do with their time?
But yes, a wait of 18 months is not unusual for the NHS.



Alycat
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29 Apr 2009, 1:46 pm

I'm another person in the UK struggling to get a diagnosis.
My GP did refer me, but it was to mental health services. They then told me that they'd refer me to autism services, but that they didn't know if they'd diagnose me over the age of fourteen. I was told not to contact the mental health people again because I wasn't mental, but that I should wait to hear from the autism people. I've still not heard anything and that was months ago.

I'm starting to think I will have to go private. I can't afford it, but I might have to save up and go down that route because I need to KNOW.


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