lack of adult diagnostic services for asperger's/asd

This morning I went for an appointment with my GP to see about a referral for a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome/ASD (autism spectrum disorder). From anecdotal evidence and the National Autistic Society (NAS) website I already knew there were very few resources in Greater Manchester for adult autistic services. And indeed that proved to be the case.

There are no adult diagnostic services to refer to, and no money to send adults out of area (Sheffield would be the nearest option). That leaves me with no current options for receiving a diagnosis or having Asperger's/ASD ruled out.

 

This is extremely frustrating. The possibility of my being on the spectrum was suggested to me around 20 years ago when I was 25, and certainly since I was 30 it's a suggestion that's been made quite frequently. It would explain my extreme difficulties in socialising, the problems I have forming and maintaining relationships, and the near-impossibility of networking.

 

This has impacts across my life: my difficulties socialising and the challenges I face forming and maintaining relationships are a serious obstacle to a full social life, and to progression in work; and my problems networking mean that developing my art practice - through collaborations, working relationships, promoting my work, offering new work for exhibition/publication etc. is at best sporadic, infrequent and dependent on my feeling safe with whoever I happen to be in contact with.

 

I also believe, though this is less well-supported, that the incidences of anxiety and depression I've experienced have been in part due to these problems. When I was in contact with metal-health services (mostly via cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) sessions) in 1998/99, 2006/7 and 2012/13, my difficulties with socialising were the main problem I wanted addressing, and for which no useful help was forthcoming.

 

As I already mentioned the NAS website suggests no real local support for diagnosis in Greater Manchester for adults. There is an advocacy service available through NAS which might be able to offer some help, but I simply can't afford the charges, and am in no position to get funding as far as I can tell.

 

I have contacted the NAS helpline via email for suggestions, and have also registered with the site so I can spend time on the forums, but it doesn't really take me any further forward. It's especially disappointing given that the government's Think Autism strategy says:

 

The clear vision is that: “All adults with autism are able to live fulfilling and rewarding lives within a society that accepts and understands them. They can get a diagnosis and access support if they need it, and they can depend on mainstream public services to treat them fairly as individuals, helping them make the most of their talents.” [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/think-autism-an-update-to-the-government-adult-autism-strategy - go to one of the first two pdf's linked at the page.]

 

Without a diagnosis there seems to be little or no prospect of accessing support. For completeness, and in a sarcastic 'just look what you could have won' kind of way, for those who manage to get a referral or diagnosis the NICE guidelines are here: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142/chapter/1-recommendations. These of course are of limited utility without a diagnosis.

 

I'm told the situation as regards funding is fluid and might change, and my GP has said he'll notify me if that's the case, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Seriously it's fucking annoying.