What is Autism?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by challenges in social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviours. If you’re autistic you may also get easily anxious or overstimulated. 

 

Common symptoms of autism: 

• Finding it hard to communicate and interact with other people 

• Finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling 

• Getting very anxious about social situations 

• Finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own 

• Seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to 

• Finding it hard to say how you feel 

• Taking things very literally – for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like "break a leg" 

• Having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes 

• Finding things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable 

 

Other signs of autism: 

• Not understanding social "rules", such as not talking over people 

• Avoiding eye contact 

• Getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to you 

• Noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds that others do not 

• Having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities 

• Liking to plan things carefully before doing them 

 

How to get an autism assessment: 

 

If you think you or show signs of autism, the next step is to talk to someone about it. 

You could speak to: 

• A GP 

• Any other health professional you see, such as another doctor or therapist 

 

Ask them about referring you for an autism assessment. An assessment is done by autism specialists. It's the only way to find out if you are autistic. 

 

What happens during an autism assessment: 

 

An autism assessment is where a team of autism specialists check if you are autistic. 

An assessment team may: 

• Ask about any problems you are having 

• 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 

• Speak to people who know you well, such as family, friends or your GP 

• Read any reports from the GP about other health problems you may have 

 

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 are autistic – it might say something like you "meet the criteria for autism spectrum diagnosis" 

• What you might need help with – such as social interaction, communication, behaviours or sensitivity to lights, colours and sounds 

 

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 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. 

 

Waiting times for Autism assessments: 

 

Waiting times vary and you may have to wait several months or years to access Autism specialist services. You may be able to find a clinic with shorter waiting lists through your GP using the Right to Choose scheme.  

 

Read about Right to Choose and your choices in the NHS: 

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/your-choices-in-the-nhs/ 

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/before-diagnosis/how-to-request-an-autism-assessment 

https://psychiatry-uk.com/right-to-choose-asd/ 

 

You can ask for an NHS appointment at any clinic, including a private clinic, if it provides Autism services for the NHS in England. 

 

What you can do while you wait for an assessment: 

 

If you think you need support at 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 

• Find a local support group using the National Autistic Society services directory 

• 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 – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/