Adult Autism Assessments in London

'Autism spectrum disorder', or 'ASD', is an umbrella term for a wide range of neurodiverse profiles, all sharing core traits of:

• difficulties with social communication and interaction
• repetitive behaviours and set ways of thinking
• limited interests and a tendency to overfocus on one subject
• resistance to change.

Other features of autism can include sensory difficulties (being over or under-sensitive to light, colour, or noise), and challenges with emotional regulation.

An autism assessment is not a medical test, so you don't have to worry about any health or blood tests. An autism specialist will observe how you interact and socialise, and ask about your past, including your childhood development and struggles with mental health.

They will use one or more of a variety of diagnostic tools, which generally consist of questionnaires looking at the ways you think and behave. At Harley Therapy the consultants use DISCO, ADOS, and ADI-r testing.

Your results will then be compared to guidelines put forth by diagnostic manuals. Here in the UK this is not the DSM-5 (popular in America), but the ICD-10, alongside the guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

No. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it's always present since childhood. As the word 'spectrum' implies, different autistic people have different traits and like anyone, each autistic person will have a range of strengths and challenges individual to them.

Signs of autism can be overlooked in children as being simply 'unique' or 'special'. However, the demands of adulthood can make traits more apparent.

This can be because their traits present differently, or their coping mechanisms were sufficient in childhood but less so with adult demands. An adult autism diagnosis can provide clarity and access to appropriate support.

Women might be diagnosed later in life because they manifest traits differently to boys during childhood. Research shows autistic girls and women can be better at social situations and masking their difficulties, meaning their struggles are more likely to be overlooked.

While there is no cure for ASD, there are various interventions that can improve the quality of life. These typically address one or more areas of functioning, including social, communication, cognitive, and academic skills. Support groups and networks, such as social learning programs and daily skills programs, can also be beneficial.

Counselling is a recommended intervention, particularly when ASD occurs alongside another mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is often recommended, with necessary adaptations for neurodivergent individuals.

It's important to also seek support for yourself if you are a family member or partner of someone who is autistic. Harley Therapy provides counselling support for autistic adults, children and their family members.