AUTISM
Autism is a condition that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.
Individuals on the autism spectrum vary enormously from each other but they all share the two ‘core’ features of autism:
- persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction. For example, they may find it hard to begin or carry on a conversation, they may not understand social rules such as how far to stand from somebody else, or they may find it difficult to make friends.
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. For example, they may develop an overwhelming interest in something, they may follow inflexible routines or rituals, they may make repetitive body movements, or they may be hypersensitive to certain sounds.
However many people on the autism spectrum also have significant strengths. These may include a good eye for detail, a high level of accuracy and reliability, an excellent memory for facts and figures, and the ability to thrive in a structured, well-organised work environment. Some also have considerable creative talent. Because of this, some individuals with autism do not consider autism to be a disability but a neurological difference.
Individuals with autism often have other conditions, such as sensory sensitivity, epilepsy and gastrointestinal problems. They may also have mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Some, but not all, will behave in difficult and challenging ways.
Because of these problems, autistic people often struggle to make friends, do well at school, or find appropriate jobs. However, with the right help tailored to the needs of the individual person, some people with autism can lead relatively independent lives. Others will continue to need support and understanding throughout their lives.
We believe wholeheartedly in the value of people on the autism spectrum and the contribution they can make to the community. We also appreciate the real difficulties they face and their need for the right support. We seek to encourage and evaluate those interventions which will alleviate distress and promote independence leading to more fulfilling lives.
Diagnosis of Autism
Getting a diagnosis of autism can be a positive thing. It means you have an explanation for some of the difficulties you or your child may be experiencing, and it may also give you access to services and support.
The process of getting a diagnosis varies from country to country and sometimes even within the same country. This page describes the processes within the countries that make up the UK.
In the UK you start the process by contacting your GP, health visitor or SENCO who will then refer you on to specialist diagnostic services. However this is not always a straightforward process, with some professionals being reluctant to start the process and with a lack of specialist diagnostic services in some areas.
The Referral If you would like to get a diagnosis of autism for yourself you should first visit your GP. If you would like to get a diagnosis for your child you can visit your GP or talk to your health visitor. If your child is in school you can also contact the special education needs coordinator (SENCO) in your child’s school.
Alternatively you can contact an independent diagnostic service, although you will have to pay for this and the diagnosis may not be accepted by some authorities, such as your local social services or the Department for Work and Pensions.
If your GP or health visitor is satisfied that you or your child may have autism, she will normally refer you on to a specialist service for a formal assessment (diagnosis). You may have to wait some time before you actually go for the assessment.
As an adult with suspected autism, you are most likely to be referred to a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. As the parent of a child with suspected autism, you may be referred to a single professional or you may be referred to a multi-disciplinary team of several professionals including, for example, a clinical/educational psychologist, a psychiatrist and a speech and language therapist.
If you happen to know of an experienced diagnostician in your area, you can ask your GP or health visitor to refer you or your child to them. You can also be referred to a service outside your local GP commissioning group but as this costs more, your GP might question why you need to go there, or whether you really need a diagnosis
The Assessment The process of diagnosis will vary depending on where you live. There isn’t one standard way for an assessment to be carried out, but there are guidelines that professionals should be following such as those issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) – details at bottom of this page.
The people who carry out the assessment may use a variety of diagnostic ‘tools’, checklists and observations, and ask you lots of questions, in order to make their diagnosis.
Please remember: A diagnosis is not a medical examination: you don’t need to be examined physically and shouldn’t be asked for any samples, such as blood
During the assessment(s), you should be given plenty of time to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for explanations or clarification if you need them.
The Report Sometimes you’ll receive a diagnostic report (which is the formal diagnosis) at the end of the assessment. At other times it is typed up and sent in the post. If this is the case, you might have to wait a while before the report arrives.
Ideally, you’ll get a detailed report containing both the diagnostician’s findings and recommendations for support.
Diagnostic reports can be difficult to read and understand in places. They may use language that diagnosticians are familiar with but that you might not be. You can call the diagnostician to talk through any parts of the reports that you aren’t clear about.
The Outcome If you receive a formal diagnosis of autism, the person making the diagnosis should share information from the assessment with your GP. You should also be offered a community care assessment by your local authority. This assessment should be comprehensive and should include consideration of your needs inc: personal/social care, health, accommodation, finance, education/employment/leisure, transport/access, any communication, psychological or other needs.
For more information please see Services for adults with autism
If your child receives a formal diagnosis of autism, the diagnostic team should share information from the assessment with your child’s GP and, if you agree, with other professions such as your child’s school or social services if appropriate, to help them offer you the support you need
For more information please see Services for children and young people with autism
Complaints If your GP decides not to refer you or your child for a diagnosis, ask for the reason why. If you don’t feel comfortable discussing their decision then and there, you can ask for a second appointment to talk it through.
Individuals on the autism spectrum vary enormously from each other but they all share the two ‘core’ features of autism:
- persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction. For example, they may find it hard to begin or carry on a conversation, they may not understand social rules such as how far to stand from somebody else, or they may find it difficult to make friends.
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. For example, they may develop an overwhelming interest in something, they may follow inflexible routines or rituals, they may make repetitive body movements, or they may be hypersensitive to certain sounds.
However many people on the autism spectrum also have significant strengths. These may include a good eye for detail, a high level of accuracy and reliability, an excellent memory for facts and figures, and the ability to thrive in a structured, well-organised work environment. Some also have considerable creative talent. Because of this, some individuals with autism do not consider autism to be a disability but a neurological difference.
Individuals with autism often have other conditions, such as sensory sensitivity, epilepsy and gastrointestinal problems. They may also have mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Some, but not all, will behave in difficult and challenging ways.
Because of these problems, autistic people often struggle to make friends, do well at school, or find appropriate jobs. However, with the right help tailored to the needs of the individual person, some people with autism can lead relatively independent lives. Others will continue to need support and understanding throughout their lives.
We believe wholeheartedly in the value of people on the autism spectrum and the contribution they can make to the community. We also appreciate the real difficulties they face and their need for the right support. We seek to encourage and evaluate those interventions which will alleviate distress and promote independence leading to more fulfilling lives.
Diagnosis of Autism
Getting a diagnosis of autism can be a positive thing. It means you have an explanation for some of the difficulties you or your child may be experiencing, and it may also give you access to services and support.
The process of getting a diagnosis varies from country to country and sometimes even within the same country. This page describes the processes within the countries that make up the UK.
In the UK you start the process by contacting your GP, health visitor or SENCO who will then refer you on to specialist diagnostic services. However this is not always a straightforward process, with some professionals being reluctant to start the process and with a lack of specialist diagnostic services in some areas.
The Referral If you would like to get a diagnosis of autism for yourself you should first visit your GP. If you would like to get a diagnosis for your child you can visit your GP or talk to your health visitor. If your child is in school you can also contact the special education needs coordinator (SENCO) in your child’s school.
Alternatively you can contact an independent diagnostic service, although you will have to pay for this and the diagnosis may not be accepted by some authorities, such as your local social services or the Department for Work and Pensions.
If your GP or health visitor is satisfied that you or your child may have autism, she will normally refer you on to a specialist service for a formal assessment (diagnosis). You may have to wait some time before you actually go for the assessment.
As an adult with suspected autism, you are most likely to be referred to a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. As the parent of a child with suspected autism, you may be referred to a single professional or you may be referred to a multi-disciplinary team of several professionals including, for example, a clinical/educational psychologist, a psychiatrist and a speech and language therapist.
If you happen to know of an experienced diagnostician in your area, you can ask your GP or health visitor to refer you or your child to them. You can also be referred to a service outside your local GP commissioning group but as this costs more, your GP might question why you need to go there, or whether you really need a diagnosis
The Assessment The process of diagnosis will vary depending on where you live. There isn’t one standard way for an assessment to be carried out, but there are guidelines that professionals should be following such as those issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) – details at bottom of this page.
The people who carry out the assessment may use a variety of diagnostic ‘tools’, checklists and observations, and ask you lots of questions, in order to make their diagnosis.
Please remember: A diagnosis is not a medical examination: you don’t need to be examined physically and shouldn’t be asked for any samples, such as blood
During the assessment(s), you should be given plenty of time to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for explanations or clarification if you need them.
The Report Sometimes you’ll receive a diagnostic report (which is the formal diagnosis) at the end of the assessment. At other times it is typed up and sent in the post. If this is the case, you might have to wait a while before the report arrives.
Ideally, you’ll get a detailed report containing both the diagnostician’s findings and recommendations for support.
Diagnostic reports can be difficult to read and understand in places. They may use language that diagnosticians are familiar with but that you might not be. You can call the diagnostician to talk through any parts of the reports that you aren’t clear about.
The Outcome If you receive a formal diagnosis of autism, the person making the diagnosis should share information from the assessment with your GP. You should also be offered a community care assessment by your local authority. This assessment should be comprehensive and should include consideration of your needs inc: personal/social care, health, accommodation, finance, education/employment/leisure, transport/access, any communication, psychological or other needs.
For more information please see Services for adults with autism
If your child receives a formal diagnosis of autism, the diagnostic team should share information from the assessment with your child’s GP and, if you agree, with other professions such as your child’s school or social services if appropriate, to help them offer you the support you need
For more information please see Services for children and young people with autism
Complaints If your GP decides not to refer you or your child for a diagnosis, ask for the reason why. If you don’t feel comfortable discussing their decision then and there, you can ask for a second appointment to talk it through.