"Adult Autism Team - Glasgow"

I was initially being assessed at my local mental health centre for ADHD, later on they referred me to the Adult Autism Team in Glasgow.

Over the years, sometimes you can have experiences with the NHS where you can be dismissed, misdiagnosed, or feel there is a lack of empathy, other times you can see that this is a minority and most are dealing with unrealistic demands and still try their best to help people whenever possible.

My experience with the Adult Autism Team in Glasgow was unlike anything I have ever experienced elsewhere.

I was seen very quickly, perhaps due to my circumstances at the moment and I think that goes to show that despite what you read online and what worries you carry into being assessed, people are trying their best and do try to go above and beyond when possible.

I found that the setting was tailored to your needs and accommodations were always available, sometimes you may struggle to get those needs across or may not know them yourself but I think it was very apparent they are able to use their experience to instinctually help people in that position,

Having childhood difficulties it can sometimes be difficult to provide the specific types of evidence that assessors rely on best to come to their conclusions, but this was never made an issue for me and they were able to work around this which I really appreciate.

Every person I spoke to or who was involved in assessing me has a unique combination of experience and empathy of when and how to use that experience, it stood out to me just how tailored to people with autism the staff are.

After my ADHD assessment with a different team a year previously, I came into this thinking I would have to wait a few years and that perhaps I may speak to people along the way who dismiss me or don't think assessment is necessary.

In the end none of those worries were true and it has been the most validating, educational and supportive experience of my life.

The information I have been given has already helped me, those around me and the place where I plan to study to make accommodations and consider how I manage in new ways.

The biggest thing that I think deserves so much praise and gratitude is that you often hear late-diagnosed people in the UK say that post-diagnosis, they get assessed and then that's it, they feel lost and there are not many options.

I received a full, complex report which will provide significant evidence of my circumstances and needs, I had one question before finishing up and the team has organised a final meeting on top of this to discuss providing a further letter which may discuss a specific issue I had asked about.

My experience has been not only is the assessment experience fantastic but the post-diagnosis support is amazing, you never get the feeling they are too busy, too strained or need you to go.

I couldn't have asked for a better experience and my hope is that writing this leads to the team being credited for the experiences of people like me and that those waiting for assessment and researching what to expect may feel some relief.

The experience I had was perfect, everything I could have hoped for and I would like to thank the people who initially referred me at Auchinlea House, the Team Medical Secretary at Adult Autism Team Glasgow and also my assessors Caroline and Leah.

Thank you so much for the work you do to help people like me and for how great you are at using your experience to help people feeling lost find some solutions.