Contemplating asking for an ASD assessment

Lottie5433

So for a while I’ve had a feeling I was slightly different from others, not just with having mental health struggles but on a deeper level.
Since I was little I have struggled with being sensitive to loud noises and bright lights, also certain textures and feelings made me overwhelmed. I remember when I was in nursery the school aprons made me overwhelmed due to the feeling of it, its tight elastic cuffs and rough plasticy material. Often times I’d refuse to wear them which lead to me being excluded from crafts with my peers. My teachers noticed this and told my parents so they ended up being in an apron that I could wear that didn’t irritate me. This was just one instance but there are a few other things too.

As I’ve grown up it’s been harder to pick out these things due to me masking so I don’t stand out from others. But since I was 16 I’ve thought about the possibility of being autistic or on the spectrum in some way. It’s only been since that point where I’ve thought about it as I’ve grown up with a younger brother who is on the spectrum and reading all the information my parents were given I resonate with a lot of points.

More recently during a mental health assessment I had in late 2023, they suggested I seek a diagnosis as a lot of the way I was describing things and talking about it made them believe there was something more underlying. They suggested I went through my university, however my university didbt do these types of assessments.

Due to this I’ve just dealt with it. But recently in the last week I’ve continued seeking out the diagnosis a bit more.
I’ve spoke to my boyfriend and he suggested there wasn’t much point in doing it because all I’m doing is giving myself a label - which I do see that. But I’m think it will help me understand why I’m like this or why I struggle in certain situations etc.

So I guess what I really want to know, is the much point in seeking out the assessment and diagnosis like I’m 23 and have a full time job which is supportive etc.
I’m thinking if I was to ask about this, would it be best to go through my mental health team or my Gp, like I’m seeing my mental health team early January so do I bring it up then to them or do I speak with my GP first.
I’m just so lost
There isn’t much information on this for when your older and not in education I find

Sian321

Hey @Lottie5433 , how are you doing? Thank you so much for sharing this post. It feels really clear just how long you’ve been carrying these questions and how thoughtfully you’ve been reflecting on your experiences. It sounds like you’ve noticed these differences from a very young age, and that masking over time has made things feel a bit harder to untangle. Feeling like you're lost in all these questions is so valid, particularly if there isn’t much clear information for adults outside of education. I hear you when you say that you feel getting a diagnosis could help you to better understand what you're doing or why you're struggling in certain situations. You mentioned you might speak to your mental health team about this in January, is that right?

You may find some helpful information on this page: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/before-diagnosis/how-to-request-an-autism-assessment.

Sian321

I also wonder if anyone else on this community might have sought out an ASD assessment in the past and could offer some advice or help?

sinead276

Whilst I haven't personally had any assessment or anything like that for ASD, I just wanted to also say that it is totally okay about how you are feeling, especially your curiosity around whether or not you'd have a diagnosis. For a lot of people, finding out that diagnosis can give them a sense of clarity and better understanding about their behaviours and things, so if you feel it would benefit you, there's no harm in asking healthcare professionals about it

The whole process, especially in adulthood can be tricky to navigate, so I think speaking to either the mental health team or a GP is a good starting point. Whoever you go to first about it, I'm sure will be able to have the information and support you need to get you going in the right direction with it all.

Whatever happens with the process, remember we are all here to offer you support if and when you need it. Sending hugs

AnonymousToe

I don’t know about the logistics because I was referred through school and assessed as if I was a child - despite being 18 lol it took so long.

I just wanted to say.. I didn’t see any point being assessed, what use would the label be? But it’s been my only way of accessing support I’ve needed at uni. It means that people legally have to do things and can’t just make you suffer through. And maybe everything is fine now but you might struggle more at certain points in your life, maybe a future employer wouldn’t be so accepting etc.

Plus it’s helped me to see why I struggle with certain things and be a bit more forgiving of myself, my parents are more accepting, and it opens up other support.

I don’t think there’s any harm in going for it. My only regret is not being assessed earlier

63marie

Hey @Lottie5433. I've been in a similar situation to you too. I didn’t get assessed until I was an adult either after I spoke to my mh team about it and they agreed to refer me for an assessment. For me it wasn’t just about a label, it helped me understand myself better and make sense of my past. It’s also been reassuring to know that I can ask for adjustments in the future if I need them.

I can really empathise with you around what you’ve described, especially the sensory sensitivities from childhood and masking as you got older, and I know these are really common things that many autistic adults reflect back on.

Bringing it up with your mental health team in January sounds like a good place to start, especially since it’s already been suggested before. Or speaking to your GP sounds like a reasonable thing to do too. Whatever you think is best.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much information out there for adults, so it’s understandable that this feels overwhelming – I felt the same too. Whatever you decide, your experiences are valid. I'm here if you want to talk further about it or have any questions

Ech0

@Lottie5433 I’m really sorry if anything I say isn’t quite right, but a diagnosis may sometimes make it easier to explain things to other people and can help with support at work or in everyday life if ever needed. For others, having a label doesn’t change much, and that’s totally fine too. Either way, it’s absolutely okay to explore it if you feel it could help you make sense of things but your experiences are most definitely valid and they matter, with or without a label.

Since you already have a mental health team, it might be a good idea to bring it up with them at your appointment as they can give guidance on whether to go through your GP or refer you elsewhere for an assessment.

It makes sense to feel unsure or lost, especially because there isn’t a lot of clear information for adults outside of school, but reaching out and thinking about it like this is a really strong and brave first step. You deserve understanding, support, and clarity, and there is nothing wrong in taking your time to figure out what’s right for you.

Lottie5433

Hi thank you all for the responses, I’ve been trying to get my head around what to kinda do.
I’ve been researching trying to find out more about the process and like the traits I show and other things related to it.
I may write some notes tonight about what I’ve found and how it relates to me and show it/talk about it to the mental health person I’m seeing tomorrow.
I just don’t know if I talk about it tomorrow or wait as my appointment tomorrow is to discuss if now is the right time to start DBT and to discuss the process. I’m just thinking I might because what I’ve found out is that my difficulties with my emotions could be related to possible asd. The whole reason I’m doing DBT is because I have difficulty managing my emotions and this is what leads to/contributes to my unhealthy mechanism of coping etc

I’m just torn about what to do

Lottie5433

So I didn’t bring up an asd assessment in my meeting today however the person I met with has read my notes (RIO/NHS) and has picked up on some of my behaviours so I might mention it when we meet again to do all the paperwork, risk assessments, care plan and demographics stuff. I’m nervous to mention it though