Stunned

I left the library with the hump and went to the supermarket. They had sold out of one of the items I'd gone to buy, so I had a nice uphill walk in the howling wind to the next nearest supermarket. When I got home I realized that, stewing in my own juices, I'd forgotten to pick up my tablets from the chemist.
A letter was waiting for me, from the people who are going to assess me for ASD. The letter was written by the consultant psychologist. I was shell-shocked. They wanted me to phone them, and for me to be accompanied by my parents or someone who knew me when I was a child. I wrote back with my phone number asking them to contact me, explaining my age, that I have no parent of either gender, that I am estranged from my family, and that I have nothing pertaining to my childhood. They also wanted some developmental history, which I can only assume they mean in an academic sense. I told them about the bullying, in case that's what they meant.
Now I wrote to my MP last week. Is the speedy receipt of this letter mere coincidence, or has the MP done something to expedite matters?
I'm thrilled to bits that I've heard from the people, but now I've started worrying too. On balance this is for me a marvellous occurrence, and a major event in my life.

News

One of the autism charities has just taken up the cause of waiting times for diagnosis. Of course I've signed the petition and so has one of my cousins. It was a nice change to see something inclusive of all autists, rather than just about women or just about children. We are all served very badly in this country.

The letter

Last night I had another look at the letter I'd received in connection with ASD diagnosis. Just now I googled the company who are to take me on. The good news is that they are only a long bus ride away, rather than fifty miles away. However I will need to make an appointment with them. On second thoughts it looks like I shan't have too many more months to wait.

The letter

A while back the county council fucked up when they tendered out the contract for ASD diagnosis. They ended up with a contract that is not fit for purpose. I was referred for diagnosis in December 2013 and am yet to receive an appointment.
Yesterday I received a letter from the ASD people, saying that they are handing me over to another private company. I infer from this that there will be another lengthy wait. I'm going to write to my doctor, to find out if he can refer me elsewhere. I need the diagnosis to enable me to access the support I need.

More autism stuff

I'm determined to press ahead with making a noise about the intolerable delay I am experiencing, in getting an appointment for diagnosis. I know I am not a special case. It is our shared lot. The system is rotten. I have decided that I will not pursue the quango that the first quango referred me to. I am going to take it up with my MP, and want him to take it up on my behalf, rather than just being an anonymous statistic. I know someone who can advise me on this side of things, but they weren't there when I went by this morning. I'll try again later.

More autism stuff

I've been digging around online, and looking at other adults' experiences of referral and diagnosis. All of the people seem to have had lengthy waits of several years, before getting the support they need. When they have tried chasing things up, the common experience is one of disengagement by the various authorities.
It doesn't look brilliant for me, does it? I've only been waiting for sixteen months. I'm starting to feel a bit disheartened with it all. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll die of old age before I get the support I need. If I were wealthy enough I'd pay do go private.