Getting diagnosed as autistic
Find out how to get diagnosed as autistic and how a diagnosis can be helpful.
If these symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, seek medical advice promptly.
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On this page
Find out how to get diagnosed as autistic and how a diagnosis can be helpful.
How to get an autism assessment
1. Talk to someone for advice
If you think you or your child have signs of autism, the next step is to talk to someone about it.
You could speak to:
- a GP
- a health visitor (for children under 5)
- any other health professional you or your child see, such as another doctor or therapist
- special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) staff at your child's school
Ask them about referring you or your child for an autism assessment.
An assessment is done by autism specialists. It's the only way to find out if you or your child are autistic.
Tips for when you speak to someone
Do
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write a list of the signs of autism you think you or your child have and bring it with you
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ask people who know you or your child well (like friends, family or teachers) if they have noticed any possible signs you could put on your list
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bring a pen and paper so you can take notes
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bring your child or someone who knows you well with you, if you think it might help (you do not have to)
Don’t
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try not to talk too much about other things – autism should be the main thing you talk about
2. Have an autism assessment
An autism assessment is where a team of autism specialists check if you or your child are autistic.
An assessment team may:
- ask about any problems you or your child are having
- watch how you or your child interact with other people
- speak to people who know you or your child well, such as family, friends, your GP or your child's teachers
At the end of the assessment, you'll be given a report saying if you or your child are autistic.
Find out what happens during an autism assessment
How a diagnosis can help
Parents and children
For parents and children, a diagnosis can help you:
- understand your child's needs and how you can help your child
- get advice about support for your child at school
- get support for parents and carers of autistic people, such as financial benefits
- understand that your child is not just being "naughty" or "difficult"
Adults
For adults, a diagnosis can help you:
- understand why you might find some things harder than other people
- explain to others why you see and feel the world in a different way
- get support at college, university or work
- get some financial benefits
If you find it hard to get an assessment
It's not always easy to get an autism assessment. Waiting times can also be very long.
If you're finding it hard to get an assessment, you could ask to speak to someone else, like another GP – this is called getting a second opinion.
It may also help to speak to other people who have been in a similar situation.
What happens during an autism assessment
How to get an autism assessment
You need to be referred for an assessment by someone such as a GP or special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) staff at your child's school.
You may have to wait a few months to get an appointment.
Find out how to get diagnosed
What you can do while you wait for an assessment
If you think you or your child need support at school, home or at work, you can start getting help before having an assessment.
You can:
- ask a GP if the assessment team can suggest any support groups
- ask a GP to refer your child for speech and language therapy
- talk to teachers or special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) staff at your child's school
- speak to student support services at college or university
- speak to your manager or human resources at work
- ask your local council for a needs assessment to see what support they can recommend
What happens during an autism assessment
You or your child may have 1 or more appointments with a team of different professionals.
For children
The assessment team may:
- ask you about your child's development, such as when they started talking
- watch how you and your child interact, and how your child plays
- read any reports sent by their GP, nursery or school
- ask about their medical history and do a physical examination
A member of the team may also visit your child's school to watch them in class and at break time.
For adults
The assessment team may:
- ask you to fill in a questionnaire about yourself and any problems you have
- speak to someone who knew you as a child to find out about your childhood
- read any reports from the GP about other health problems you may have
Getting the result
When the assessment is finished, you'll be given a report saying what the team found.
You may be given it by the team or get it in the post.
The report will say:
- if you or your child are autistic – it might say something like you "meet the criteria for autism spectrum diagnosis"
- what you or your child might need help with – such as social interaction, communication, behaviours or sensitivity to lights, colours and sounds
- what you or your child are good at
Sometimes the report can be hard to understand as it can be full of terms used by healthcare professionals.
Ask the assessment team if you need any help.
You and your child should also be offered another appointment a few weeks or months later, to talk to someone from the assessment team about the report.
Autism is a lifelong condition, so the report will be used throughout childhood and into adulthood.
If you do not agree with the result
When you get the report, you may:
- be told you or your child are not autistic
- be asked to wait until your child is a bit older to be assessed again, as the signs of autism may not be clear
- be given a diagnosis you do not agree with, such as a learning disability
Ask the assessment team why they have made the diagnosis they have.
The assessment team might arrange for a second opinion from a different team.
Remember that a second opinion may say the same thing.
