I am still in the works trying to get our formal ADHD diagnoses. I am on to a psychiatrist who does phone appointments, isn’t terribly expensive, hasn’t got a big waiting list and takes reports from outside. Tick, tick, tick, tick. The problem is that, except for the waiting list and the phone appointments, none of that seems to be true!
I sent an email to them and explained the situation. I was told that it was in 2 visits. First one being $300 which would be the reports side of things. Second one being $800 being the formal diagnosis. First one the medicare rebate was to be $111 and for the second appointment the rebate was to be $445. I can cope with that. I let them know that I have reports so won’t need the first appointment. All good, get a referral from the doctor and send through the reports. Tell them I have 2 weeks off in November, I would like mine and Beth’s appointments during that time. Done.
Next I get an email from them saying that I have a special bundle price of $1100 , my appointments are set up in October, my rebate would be $262 for the bundle. I reply that they were not the rebates originally given, that I didn’t need the first appointment, the dates are wrong and it’s not a special bundle when it’s actually the same price it was originally!
The only responses I get are explaining that our reports aren’t comprehensive enough, nothing about the dates or the prices. I even screenshotted the original quote (I’m sure they hate me!) and had no response. I told them that I will be getting the rest of the things they need but if they can’t bother getting back to me re costings and dates then I shall go somewhere else.
Again, responded to how much it all was and that I need to pay the whole lot upfront, now my rebate is even less! WTF!
So, our social worker is now doing the comprehensive things asked for and I will be looking for another psychiatrist because clearly they aren’t really particularly professional.
I have decided that I am not going to pursue the autism diagnosis formally. I can see so much as far as ADHD is concerned, for both myself and Beth. And can see how medication and therapies can help us both. I can see the reasons why autism has been diagnosed but I don’t think it’s really necessary for me to have it formalised, though maybe down the track I will do so. I don’t feel that it interrupts my life the same way as ADHD does. Having the knowledge that I am on the spectrum is somewhat comforting though to be honest, there are things that frustrate the hell out of me about myself so I feel like I can give myself a bit of a break now. After all, we are our own worst enemies aren’t we!
