Recording Assessment and format query

Hi again Whistler, thank you so much for your very kind and thorough reply with all the useful suggestions. I'm going to do my usual and copy/paste it into an email to myself with a subject line that will help me find it so I don't lose them and can look them up as time permits. Usually we get through appts by my going along but of course lockdown stopped that for a time. Now I just insist.
Thanks again ,
Denby

Dear Whistler and all readers on the 'spectrum' [ie autism/Asperger's] or with such friends and family. Thank you so much you are really onto something about Auditory Processing Disorder. Apparently there is an automatic assumption all children diagnosed with autism will have APD, but they are not all tested. So logically it is reasonable to assume my husband really does have APD. It was worth a very late night last night last night reading up about this. He recognises so many of the features in himself.
What I though was really off, on reading several of the NHS pages about getting an autism diagnosis for adults, is that they avoid mentioning the AQ50 self-pre-test. It ALL says 'See a GP.' Given my recent very distressing experience doing so [he said no] I cannot agree with this recommendation! I have now bypassed the GP with a self referral. Our local CCG allow this based on - guess what? your AQ50 score which you submit. So I would say to anyone who thinks they may have autistic traits, check it out with the AQ50. Our CCG puts you on the waiting list for assessment if you score 26 or above. If you get 32+ it's pretty definite! I now believe after years of ignoring it, it is time for me and everyone who can, to stand up and be counted. Let's not let the politicians and accountants off the hook with under-diagnosis any longer!
One good surprise was the last section on this page
www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/other-conditions/
which admits that many people with autism also have "flexible or painful joints
skin that stretches or bruises easily
diarrhoea or constipation that does not go away
These can be caused by conditions like joint hypermobility syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes."
And equally if you already have those, autism is more likely -AND, less often obvious in females, who are more often victims of the hypermobility stuff.
Mega thanks again Whistler! Hoping my additions above will now cause helpful 'lightbulb moments' for other readers.
Denby

Hi Denby,

Thanks very much for your reply. I am really pleased that you husband was able to identify with the Auditory Processing Traits. That is also really interesting regarding the AQ50 test.

Yes, my wife has hyper-mobility issues that she has had problems with and she has a positive rheumatoid factor (Rheumatic symptoms and with Rheumatology but does not have all the markers for rheumatoid arthritis). Also you will find that people with an autism condition usually will have auto immune related problems/symptoms/diseases. My wife over the last 10 years has become increasingly sensitive/intolerant/allergic to foods/chemicals/products, which impact her health etc.

On another note - you may find useful 'The Girl With The Curly Hair' - on Facebook or they have a web page - in relation to identifying with autism traits. It comes across as if the information is for school age and females but it is in fact very useful. If you go on to the time line photo's section and scroll through, there are some 'statements' that have been made by people on the autism spectrum about how they feel about or cope with certain situations. For my wife who really struggles to express her struggles - to 'see' these statements was as if talking about herself and she found them really helpful seeing them in black and white. So maybe these may help too.

Glad and pleased I could be of some help and really hope things work out for you and your husband.

Whistler

Dear Whistler, amazing, thank you. I may even try the webinar about females coming up soon. Very much appreciated,
Denby