"Adult Autism Assessment-Glasgow"

I was assessed by the adult autism team, and whilst understanding of the current restrictions due to Covid I was unhappy with my experience. I was told that I could not be Autistic due to being “empathetic” and having had successful CBT in the past. Whilst I am aware autistic people generally do not do well in CBT that is not an exclusionary for a diagnosis. I was also not asked how I found CBT and whether it was actually successful. If they had asked I would have told them that I have had 3 separate accounts of CBT and one group account and I still require regular ‘updates’ which suggests it is not having the affect it should. I was also told that the only sensory aspect of an asd assessment that counted was an obsession with certain sounds which I know is not part of the assessment or diagnostic criteria.

I am concerned that the adult asd service is not regularly educated and updated on asd and the diagnostic criteria. Especially how it occurs and differs in females. In my research I have found others have very similar experiences. Whilst I do disagree with the outcome of my assessment I was left feeling even worse due to the dismissive nature of assessors who stated it was a good thing I was neurotypical and that I didn’t want an asd diagnosis rather than explain the criteria they had to meet and the ways I did and didn’t meat it. I wouldn’t have minded not getting the diagnosis if it had been handled appropriately and the outcome explain.

I would really appreciate if my complaint was taken into consideration and that the team (And others) take into consideration the differences in presentation of autism in males vs females as well as take into consideration the language used as some neurodiverse people are more sensitive to each tone and certain language used due to black and white thinking.