I live in this area & had to pay for a private autism & adhd assessment because of waiting lists up to 10 years. That's was before this apalling rule has come in not to refer any over 25's.
I was extremely fortunate to have sold my car to use the money for a private paid assessment.
I am female & over 60 years old & many people have said to me what do you want or need a diagnosis for at your age???
Well to have spent my whole life trying to keep up with everyone & everything & play constant catch up with schoolwork, college work, work itself & daily life, marriage motherhood, middle age, menopause, being a grandmother, looking after ageing parents, I can say in all honesty that ive never caught up always burnt myself out mentally & actually almost killed myself a few times via suicide because I didnt realise or know what was wrong when each day my thoughts, & sensory system & brain was shapeshifting due to the effects of autism & adhd.
I actually hated & detested myself for being the way I am due to autism & adhd because I didn't know thats what it was until I paid a lot of money for a private assessment which was finally my redemption & I could finally forgive & stop hating myself.
What are other people like me (over the age of 25) going to do now theyve been cancelled by Coventry & Warwickshire Health Services.???
People potentially on the spectrum just obliterated & left in freefall & I absolutely despair for these vulnerable people & I think Coventry & Warwickshire Health Services should be taken to court because they are being discriminatory towards disabled people over the age of 25 by introducing this under 25's policy
My autism & adhd has become progessively worse the older Ive become so to cancel assessing the over 25's is going to create an explosion of adults with potentially very serious mental health issues due to not being assessed for autism/adhd.
Just to finish on & I apologise for going on about myself so much, but ive tried so hard to access an nhs talking therapies, therapist/councillor that specialises in autism/adhd & I was informed by Talking Therapies Coventry that they don't have any on file, & are very sorry.
I found a Therapist in leamington Spa that specialises in therapy/counselling for Autism and/or ADHD but she is Private not NHS & charges are approx £90 per hour.
I cannot afford that & adults or children on the spectrum should not have to keep paying private because Government & local health authorities wont sort its mess out regarding children & adults on the autism & ADHD spectrum who are being failed from the cradle to the grave
While I understand that early diagnosis is important for under 25 as seen as needed more support, the reality is that it not true as adults still need support. There are several outcomes that occur from late or no diagnosis, which can lead to self medicating (addiction), neglect and worse case scenario premature deaths. This may mean harder for women or any seen coping, when this is actually masking which leads to burnout. Clearly a broken system. Sadly my late cousin is among those with a late diagnosis and premature death. I admire your work David as well as your colleagues in sharing your research.
I have become a casualty of this policy. I’m now not able to seek help even though the symptoms have destroyed my life.
Someone finally paid attention to my struggles and I thought I would be able to finally understand why I am the way I am. I finally thought I’d be able to get the adjustments I need for meaningful work.
Now it will be another year of chaos before I MAY be eligible.
I live in this area & had to pay for a private autism & adhd assessment because of waiting lists up to 10 years. That's was before this apalling rule has come in not to refer any over 25's.
I was extremely fortunate to have sold my car to use the money for a private paid assessment.
I am female & over 60 years old & many people have said to me what do you want or need a diagnosis for at your age???
Well to have spent my whole life trying to keep up with everyone & everything & play constant catch up with schoolwork, college work, work itself & daily life, marriage motherhood, middle age, menopause, being a grandmother, looking after ageing parents, I can say in all honesty that ive never caught up always burnt myself out mentally & actually almost killed myself a few times via suicide because I didnt realise or know what was wrong when each day my thoughts, & sensory system & brain was shapeshifting due to the effects of autism & adhd.
I actually hated & detested myself for being the way I am due to autism & adhd because I didn't know thats what it was until I paid a lot of money for a private assessment which was finally my redemption & I could finally forgive & stop hating myself.
What are other people like me (over the age of 25) going to do now theyve been cancelled by Coventry & Warwickshire Health Services.???
People potentially on the spectrum just obliterated & left in freefall & I absolutely despair for these vulnerable people & I think Coventry & Warwickshire Health Services should be taken to court because they are being discriminatory towards disabled people over the age of 25 by introducing this under 25's policy
My autism & adhd has become progessively worse the older Ive become so to cancel assessing the over 25's is going to create an explosion of adults with potentially very serious mental health issues due to not being assessed for autism/adhd.
Just to finish on & I apologise for going on about myself so much, but ive tried so hard to access an nhs talking therapies, therapist/councillor that specialises in autism/adhd & I was informed by Talking Therapies Coventry that they don't have any on file, & are very sorry.
I found a Therapist in leamington Spa that specialises in therapy/counselling for Autism and/or ADHD but she is Private not NHS & charges are approx £90 per hour.
I cannot afford that & adults or children on the spectrum should not have to keep paying private because Government & local health authorities wont sort its mess out regarding children & adults on the autism & ADHD spectrum who are being failed from the cradle to the grave
While I understand that early diagnosis is important for under 25 as seen as needed more support, the reality is that it not true as adults still need support. There are several outcomes that occur from late or no diagnosis, which can lead to self medicating (addiction), neglect and worse case scenario premature deaths. This may mean harder for women or any seen coping, when this is actually masking which leads to burnout. Clearly a broken system. Sadly my late cousin is among those with a late diagnosis and premature death. I admire your work David as well as your colleagues in sharing your research.
I have become a casualty of this policy. I’m now not able to seek help even though the symptoms have destroyed my life.
Someone finally paid attention to my struggles and I thought I would be able to finally understand why I am the way I am. I finally thought I’d be able to get the adjustments I need for meaningful work.
Now it will be another year of chaos before I MAY be eligible.