Assessment for Adult ASD

[Streetspirit]

Hello. I wish to seek a formal assessment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as an adult. I am in NSW. I presume a psychologist would be the least costly and involve the shortest waiting time. If not, please inform me otherwise.

Two questions I have:

1. Is adult ASD assessment by a psychologist subsidised under a mental health care plan (I have a lot of distress and impairment in my life that I won't go into here)
2. Does anyone know if it's practical to even get an adult ASD diagnosis? I have heard of long waiting lists, the pain of having to get third party accounts of my childhood, and maybe other difficulties.

[tyme]

Welcome to the forums @Streetspirit ,

It sounds like there's a lot going on for you at the moment. 

I don't have too much experience with an adult ASD diagnosis, but I know for an adult ADHD diagnosis, I needed a psychiatrist - with supporting documentation from a psychologist. I'm not sure if that is similar.

All the best with it. 

[Streetspirit]

Thank you @tyme. I also got diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. Though I only required a psychiatrist, the supporting documentation for symptoms during childhood was challenging. The challenge (traumatic experience) was that people who knew me were dismissive of ADHD symptoms ("everyone is like that") or they said I can't possibly have it since I did relatively well in school. I'm worried the same thing is going to happen for an ASD assessment.

I previously thought all the mental health issues, feeling like I had brain damage, and feeling like I was an alien I've gone through in my life had nothing to do with neurodiversity. That ADHD and ASD were just the stereotypical thing kids have (boy who doesn't pay attention and doesn't sit in his chair; boy who doesn't talk to anyone) and if it's not picked up in childhood then you don't have it. I've not come to learn more about masking, adult diagnoses, and comorbid ADHD/ASD (AuDHD).

While stimulants has helped with a lot of mental health issues and cognitive tasks, I still feel there's something missing. Which the criteria of ASD explains when I look back on my life. I've also done various screening tests which strongly suggest I have ASD. Though of course I want to see a professional as screening tests are not diagnostic tests.

[tyme]

Do you have a psychiatrist at the moment @Streetspirit ? I wonder if you can ask them what your best option is to get an ASD assessment? 

Getting a diagnosis can be a real 'Aha!' moment.. where everything just makes sense. 

[Streetspirit]

@tyme yes I do. The problem is that I felt the psychiatrist was dismissive of certain issues such as trauma, social anxiety and depressive symptoms. He basically ruled out PTSD, social anxiety and depression. So I feel they may do the same with ASD. I did think about the option of asking the psychiatrist to assess me for ASD but I didn't think about asking them what the best option would be. I'm seeing them this month. But I also found out it's possible to get a psychologist's assessment for ASD before that; however, this also feels like going behind the psychiatrist's back. So it's something that's difficult for me to decide on. I feel like the best thing to do is be patient, honest and open with the psychiatrist first about my ASD concerns. On the other hand, I have this itch to get this ASD question answered now so I can direct my energy towards getting better with the right methods.