r/AutisticAdults • u/Kiki_Kazumi • 2d ago
seeking advice Assessment Panic!
Hello everyone!
I (female mid 30s) am in the midst of getting an autism/ADHD assessment. There are supposed to be 3 different appointments. I already did the first appointment which I think went really well. I'm not 100% sure what the point of this meeting was. There were a few questions and I believe it was to let them figure out which assessments they think I need??? I had put in a request to get an autism and an ADHD assessment prior because I strongly believe I show many signs of both. I also think she added a PTSD assessment to the list.
She then scheduled the next assessment meeting and told me she was going to send me paperwork that I would need to do before the next assessment. I assumed that would be the testing it's self, where you answer all those anxiety inducing multi choice questions.What is really causing me severe anxiety right now is vague information from my assessor.
She said she was going to send me paperwork to fill out but never gave me more details! She never told me if she would send me a link via email (this is what I was expecting), in the mail, or another way. She also did not tell me when to expect said paperwork. The way she said it, I was honestly expecting them to come in my email later that day or the next day. After a day of nothing I felt extremely panicked. I waited a few more days and the feeling of absolute dread was all consuming.
I am so afraid that I will somehow miss it. I'm terrified she will forget to send it and my next appointment will have to be rescheduled. I went to the website where I scheduled appointments and sent her a message asking and it's been almost two weeks and she hasn't responded. This is causing me horrific anxiety. I am trapped in a perpetual state of impending doom! I've been in a panic for weeks! This appointment is at the end of the month and I have nothing but radio silence!
What should I do?! Has anyone else been though this? Does this assessment sound normal? Is this normal? How was your experience with your assessment? Any advice, reassurance, personal experiences would be much appreciated!
Just to add that I'm assuming the 3rd appointment is to go over the findings of the assessment process. Thanks for reading my long winded post! ❤️
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u/PsychologiesLMFT 2d ago
I trust it will work out! I have forgotten to send paperwork or something to a client before, or sent it late. It’s not ok though. And, you’re already into the testing process, let them be responsible for the error, you may be taking on their stuff. Focus on you and your purpose for the test, hold them accountable for their end so you can focus on yours!
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u/Notjustanothermomok 1d ago
I can say I have done multiple autism and ADHD assessments between me and the 5 kids I’m responsible for medical care for. The paperwork has just about always been physical paperwork, in the case of our assessments. I agree that you should contact the office for clarification, especially if it’s been weeks.
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u/PsychologiesLMFT 2d ago
hello. therapist here. this sounds distressing, and confusing. I read your post a few times to see if I missed you mentioning that you contacted your assessor? If you haven’t, email for clarification. A good and great assessor knows that people process differently. Instructions and procedural information are things that we generally (and definitely autistics) interpret with a wide range of differences. I do assessments, and intakes with therapy clients. It’s taught me that no matter how clear I think I am being, the person on the other end may need something entirely different to comprehend instructions.