Should I get an autism assessment?

Alis Rowe is the founder of The Curly Hair Project. She was diagnosed as autistic when she was 22 and today is considered by many to be one of the most inspirational advocates and supporters of autistic people, especially girls and women. In this blog, Alis discusses just a few of the benefits of getting a diagnosis.

We often hear from adults who aren't sure whether a diagnosis will make a difference to them. I can understand why this is the case. If you've got through life so far without one, why would you suddenly need one now? I too can talk from personal experience about this. Although from about the age of 17 I suspected I was autistic, I didn't pursue a diagnosis until several years later. The reason probably was that I didn't know what it would mean and how it would - or could - help me. Below I've outlined some of the ways an autism diagnosis can help an adult.

Personal closure

Gaining closure for the way I felt has been really important to my quality of life. Before my diagnosis, I went through my entire life feeling like I did not fit in and always had problems building friendships and lacking connection. I often thought that I was wrong to feel the way I did, or that there was something wrong with me. I also thought everybody had the same difficulties, but that they were just better at coping! Now I know that my feelings are completely justified and logical. I'm not mad and I'm not a hypochondriac. These feelings are normal for an autistic person to experience. It's less lonely to know there are lots of other people like me out there too.

Better life choices

Now that I know what my difficulties are, I'm more able to live within my limits and to my strengths. If I need to do things differently from others, well that's ok. My understanding of autism has led me to be more patient and more accepting of myself. I feel more comfortable saying no to things more often. I might be going to a party where there'll be loads of people and loud sounds. In the past, I would have pushed myself to go, just because I thought that's what I "should" be doing because everyone else is.

But I'm not like everyone else.

If you're not neurotypical, then trying to pursue a neurotypical life is going to be very, very hard! Nowadays I take good care of myself. I know what I like, what I don't like, what I find stressful, and what I can cope with. Remaining within my limits and making adaptations for the things I do want to do means life is a lot more manageable and enjoyable. As an example, I knew I wanted to go to university but I knew I wouldn't be able to cope with moving away and living with other people. So I went to my local university and lived at home. I attended my lessons, but I didn't socialise outside of them. I came out with a First Class degree.

I'm good at working on my own and to my own schedules, and I manage really well in my own environment. Self-employment therefore, is a brilliant way of life for me.

Having confirmation that you're autistic means you know to change the way you do things, but can still be very successful! Once you know for sure, you'll be able to make better life choices.

Making reasonable adjustments

Autism is a recognised disability and so the Disability Discrimination Act applies. This means you are entitled to helpful accommodations to make your working life better, for example, environmental accommodations (your own workspace, adapted lighting, permission to wear dark glasses, etc.), having a mentor, and even flexible working hours such as being able to work from home.

A diagnosis also means you'll have access to appropriate benefits and services.

Better relationships

One of the most helpful things about my diagnosis has been that my relationships have become stronger as a result. People are more understanding of my difficulties, as opposed to thinking negatively of me. People accept that I'm a certain way and that my autism is a big contributor to that. There is an authenticity to my behaviour that I never had before. There are reasons for things, as opposed to excuses.

In the past, people just thought I didn't care or didn't like them because, for example, I always declined invites to their social occasions - now they know it's nothing personal at all. I generally feel less anxious around people now. If I'm open with them, there is a lot less pressure for me to behave in the way I think they expect me to and I feel more confident and able to just be myself. Now I have more friends now than I've ever had before.

Loved ones are less likely to consider me as being overly sensitive or over-reactive because they now know that I do genuinely experience the world differently. We have worked together to find out what works best for all of us, for example, clear communication, routines, lots of downtime, sticking to our word, etc. Now, because of this, there are fewer misunderstandings and not so many arguments.

My own diagnosis has been very helpful. I feel less isolated, a lot more comfortable with who I am, and I have more suitable jobs/working arrangements. I no longer feel that I should conform to a social norm. In the past, I would try to force myself into what I believed was expected which made me unhappy.

Find out more about what an adult autism diagnosis entails here.