Scrapping autism and ADHD tests in Aberdeenshire may lead to more adults taking their own lives, a campaigner warns.
Aberdeen mum Marion McLaughlin, who was diagnosed as autistic in her 30s, says cuts in the north-east could be the tip of the iceberg across Scotland.
And Felicity Goodhall from Pitmedden, one of the first people to be diagnosed locally through the pathway, fears for the impact on other people.
The P&J reported on Monday that assessment services for adults in Aberdeenshire face the axe due to a lack of funding.
That’s despite 1,800 adults being on the waiting list to be tested.
“It’s tremendously devastating,” Ms McLaughlin told the P&J.
“We have a right to know who we are.”
She added: “I am genuinely concerned that there is going to be an increase in people taking their own lives.”
Her warning is borne out by statistics in Aberdeenshire Council’s report on the cuts.
Autistic adults are eight times more likely to die by suicide.
Women who are diagnosed later in life are 15 times more likely to take their own lives.
‘Impostor syndrome’
Ms McLaughlin said waiting for an official diagnosis can be excruciating.
She said: “It’s a horrible position to be in. We get such impostor syndrome.”
Ms McLaughlin was diagnosed with autism in her late 30s.
She previously ran a charity called Autism Understanding.
She is now a director for an autism consultancy firm which has worked with the Scottish Government, NHS boards, and Aberdeen University.
“Finding out I’m autistic was revelatory,” the campaigner added.
The assessment pathway – which she helped set up – was boosted by Holyrood funds since 2022.
But that cash runs out at the end of February.
Ms McLaughlin worries local cuts will be a green light to slash testing services elsewhere.
She said: “I’m concerned if Aberdeenshire closes the pathway, it’s going to make it difficult for Aberdeen and Moray to carry on.”
Felicity Goodhall, who worked for Autism Understanding alongside Ms McLaughlin, is worried about more undiagnosed people self-harming.
“I don’t think we’re going to fully the implication of these cuts for years to come,” she said.
“Autistic people might slip under the radar.”
The Aberdeenshire mum’s attempts to get assessed while living in England were frustrating.
“I approached my GP in England asking to be referred,” she said.
“But they had never heard of adult autism assessments.”
When Ms Goodhall tried to get a referral again in Aberdeen the current assessment process didn’t exist.
Diagnosis had ‘positive impact’
She got her name on the list the moment it was opened up.
“I’m gutted other people are not going to be given that opportunity,” she added.
Ms McLaughlin and Ms Goodhall set up a petition protesting the cuts, which already has over 1,000 signatures.
The Scottish Government and NHS Grampian were contacted for comment.
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