Diagnosing Autism in Adults

What does an adult autism diagnosis entail?

Clinical Partners is able to offer thorough autism assessments, at nationwide locations, often within a few days.

Our assessments are based on UK best practice models, we have developed our assessment package with some of the UK’s leading psychiatrists and they are designed in line with latest research and meet or exceed government standards.

Adult autism assessment

Who carries out the autism assessment?

The assessment will be carried out by a psychiatrist – a medically trained doctor who has specialised in mental health.

Before the assessment you will receive two questionnaires which you will be asked to complete and return. These help the psychiatrist understand more about your situation and the difficulties you experience.

How long does the assessment take?

The assessment takes, on average, 2 hours to complete. During this time your psychiatrist will ask you questions about your life, review the questionnaire results with you and answer any questions you might have. It can be very helpful to bring a friend or family member to the assessment, although this is not mandatory. They can often help answer questions the psychiatrist has, which you may not be sure about.

Whilst this assessment process might seem daunting for some, our psychiatrists have years of experience of carrying out these assessments and fully understand how difficult it can be. They will do their best to put you at ease.

What happens after the autism assessment?

Following the assessment, your psychiatrist will write a full report, with a diagnosis if possible. This will be sent to you with recommendations. They may recommend further testing if they think another condition is more likely and this will be discussed in full with you if applicable.

You can read more about support techniques for autistic spectrum disorders – we are able to organise these for you if you wish.

Benefits of an autism diagnosis

Co-morbidities such as anxiety, depression and OCD are common in those with autism – research has found that people with autism are more likely to suffer with these conditions than those who do not have autism.

As communicating feelings and reaching out for help is often difficult for those with autism, seeking help for these disorders can be very challenging and many go without support. Getting a diagnosis of autism is therefore really important.

Not only can it help explain why you might find certain situations really challenging, it can also assess whether you are struggling with another condition, such as depression, which can be successfully treated. Many people say that whilst receiving a diagnosis is far from easy, they feel huge relief and are better able to move on with their future. Receiving a diagnosis can also help friends and family have a greater understanding of why their loved ones behave the way they do.

To speak to someone today about arranging an autism assessment please call 0203 326 9160 or use our contact us form to request a call back. All enquiries are treated in the strictest of confidence and handled by our clinical advisors who are qualified psychologists or psychotherapists.