Autism is, clinically speaking, a lifelong developmental condition, present from earliest childhood. There are significant strengths autistic individuals have that means they tend to thrive in certain contexts, however other contexts can be challenging and dysregulating. Autistic people tend to have different experiences of social communication and social interaction. They tend to prefer direct and purposeful communication and may find it challenging to read people’s facial expressions, to interact with more than one person at a time, to meet new people, and to interpret typical social cues. This can sometimes lead to feelings of social isolation and anxiety. Many people with autism can become very absorbed in their interests and have a preference for routine and predictability. In addition, people with autism often experience sensory differences – they may find bright lights, loud and competing noises, certain foods and textures/materials/temperatures, particularly uncomfortable or overwhelming. Autism is really a spectrum of traits, meaning individuals with autism may present differently to each other, despite having the same diagnosis. Additionally, females with autism may present differently to males with autism.
Many individuals with autism experience associated difficulties such as anxiety, depression, OCD, relationship difficulties, social isolation, substance misuse and self-neglect.
People often feel a sense of relief to finally have an explanation for the lifelong challenges they have faced. They may also feel disappointed that they weren’t diagnosed earlier in life and therefore feel they didn’t get the help they needed then. Getting a diagnosis as an adult can allow people to access additional sources of support at work, university or college, and in your everyday life. There may also be strategies or aids that can help with sensory influences and local support groups.
Our autism assessments are “gold standard” and adhere to NICE/SIGN guidelines. They tend to take place over 2-3 sessions and involve assessment by a minimum of two qualified clinicians (psychiatrist/psychologist/occupational therapist/speech & language therapist). The assessment includes a structured clinical interview, a full developmental history, completion of a series of standardised and qualitative questionnaires, an interview with someone who knows you well (preferably someone who knew you when you were a child), a feedback session, and a comprehensive assessment report detailing the assessment and conclusions. People who receive an autism diagnosis will also receive a letter confirming their diagnosis which they can give to employers/universities that does not include confidential or personal information that it is not necessary for them to know.
If we think there is a different reason or additional reasons you are having difficulties, we will discuss this with you and offer advice and/or signposting to potential sources of support and/or for additional assessment.
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