Last week, I accompanied my husband to attend ASD diagnostic clinic. It was almost one year since referral was made by GP. There were many questionnaire posted prior to the assessment which both filled in. The assessment took entire 3 hours slot which went by so quickly wiliest so much to discuss. Then the assessor asked us to to visit him in a couple of days.
The ASD diagnose comes with 3 different levels (another new information!); the assessor said it is between 1 and 2. Normally, the result of assessment will be documented with recommendations of support / treatment and posted. But the assessor wished to pass his decision by his supervisor because my husband has been getting medical support for his psychiatric conditions and it took a long time to be identified (40+ years!!) – he added, this process might take a few months (I was thinking ‘that is okay, as we waited this moment so long, additional waiting is nothing’). At this point, we both were feeling relieved so that the assessor’s next comment surprised me. “What do you think if I refer you to ADHD diagnostic clinic?”; my husband was not hesitated at all to say “It is interesting to know, yes please”. In my mind ‘What more to find out really?’, I felt like being hit by a brick but without feeling anything; a huge hole opened up in my head…Also I felt so sad but no tears come out. I tried to concentrate returning to home safe and quickly.
Since then…there are meltdowns and panic episode happening numerous times. It took over 40 years – it is totally understandable about what we have been through over the past years as well as my husband’s broken mind. But for me, it has been a painful experience of seeing him so ill…I believe the best way to cope is to educate ourselves and meet other people who are in a similar situations – as much as possible, we are continuously learning how to cope. But it is certainly a tough journey as I feel there is no end (my husband is the one suffering the most though). I am telling myself that I have nearly 20 years experience of being Mental Health Carer, I feel less isolated sine I have a good network with other carers and professionals, there are some manageable days so ‘I will be okay!’.
I will try writing about why we decided to get ASD assessment on a separate post in the near future.
Here are some links that might be helpful for you.
https://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asd.aspx (UK charity)
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/adults/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zqvf4j6
クリックしてautism-guide-web-version.pdfにアクセス
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs51
https://www.researchautism.net/autism/adults-on-the-autism-spectrum/organisations-for-adults-on-the-autism-spectrum
By SmallMadam