Second assessment

[autism newbie]

Hi

I’ve just been recently diagnosed with Autism by Psychiatry UK via NHS Right to choose., which in fairness was quite quick, just several months.

However, the question I now have is that I am still on my local NHS waiting list for an autism assessment, I have been on the list for 13 months and it has been indicated to me that the assessment should take place next month Feb 24, but I’m still unsure whether I should be going ahead with the second assessment.

If I do go ahead with the NHS assessment and they confirm an autism diagnosis, then this would give me access to potential further support by their own mental health professionals, which my Psychiatry UK diagnosis does not entitle me.

I am currently being supported by two local support organisations and a psychiatric nurse, however I have received several different contradictory opinions whether I should be going ahead with the second assessment.

One of these people asked me to consider what would happen if a second assessment concluded that I wasn’t on the ASC spectrum, which certainly caused me some degree of anxiety.

I would be grateful of any further support or advice regarding this.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Get it done. Don't let your anxiety overrule your logic centers.

Keep in mind, it is often difficult for adults to receive mental health services, and with that, often requires "qualifying". Anything you can use to help you out, the better.

 

[Raggamuffin]

Where in UK? Waiting list for an assessment in Cambridgeshire was over 4 years. So I cancelled mine and will go private eventually.

No harm in a second assessment.

Ed

 

[marc_101]

If the second comes back negative, choose the one you think is correct? Do you have doubts about the diagnosis?

 

[autism newbie]

Where in UK? Waiting list for an assessment in Cambridgeshire was over 4 years. So I cancelled mine and will go private eventually.

No harm in a second assessment.

Ed

South Yorkshire, you mention about going private, could you not get your GP to refer you to Psychiatry UK, via NHS right to choose?

 

[Raggamuffin]

I did go via my GP and the NHS, but I'm not waiting 4 years to have an assessment.

Ed

 

[wards]

My GP sent me to a private assessment from their preferred list of psychiatrists and recognises the diagnosis, it's on my medical record and i am entitled to what ever help i need that the NHS would give if i had my assessment with them. Sounds strange that you have been told you are not entitled to any help because you went private? Was the private diagnosis done by someone the NHS doesn't recognise?