Preparing for an autism assesment

Preparing for an autism assessment can feel overwhelming, especially for adults seeking a diagnosis later in life.

The process can be emotional and sometimes confusing, but a bit of preparation can help things go more smoothly and ensure the assessment is as accurate as possible.

The first step is not to rush things and spend time learning about autism from different perspectives. This might involve reading articles, watching videos, and listening to both clinical voices and lived experiences within the autistic community. Understanding how traits appear across the autism spectrum, including in adults and in people whose presentation may not match common stereotypes, can offer valuable facts and help when describing experiences during the assessment.

Autism is a neuro developmental condition so signs need to have been present from early childhood, even if they weren’t recognised then. Its useful to take notes on patterns and behaviours from various stages of life, including childhood, teenage years, and adulthood. These might include difficulties with social interactions, sensory sensitivities, a strong need for routine, special interests or repetitive behaviours, and challenges with communication. Some people may have experienced delayed speech, limited speaking interaction, or a feeling of being different from others without knowing why.

Many people develop coping strategies that make autistic traits less visible. These might involve avoiding eye contact, rehearsing conversations in advance, pushing through uncomfortable social situations, or withdrawing altogether. Over time, this can lead to burnout, exhaustion, or shutdowns that may go unnoticed by others. Reflecting on these strategies and how they affect daily life can offer important insight. Challenges with communication, executive functioning, or unrecognised trauma may also be part of this picture.

It's also important to be prepared for the emotional side of things as an autism assessment can bring a sense of relief and validation, but it may also stir up feelings of regret, and sadness when thinking about what support they could have had earlier in life. Talking with trusted people, connecting with others online, or seeking professional support can help manage these emotions.

Being able to describe how self-regulation works can offer another layer of understanding. Some people use movement, avoid busy environments, repeat actions or words, create routines, or seek quiet time alone to recover from social pressure. These behaviours might not be obvious to others, but they play an important role in day to day physical and mental health.

Sensory experiences are also a major part of autism that can easily be misunderstood. Being sensitive to sound, light, textures, smells, or certain foods can impact daily life in significant ways. Sharing specific examples, like struggling in noisy places or reacting strongly to unexpected touch, can help the clinician assessing understand how these sensitivities show up in everyday life situations.

It’s just as important to talk about the difficult parts of life, even though they may be challenging to discuss with a stranger. Issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, isolation, or suicidal thoughts are common issues among autistic people, often due to years of misunderstanding and lack of support. Being open about these challenges helps them to see the full picture and provide the most appropriate help.

Preparing for an autism assessment is really about gathering what has already been lived. Taking time to reflect on long standing patterns and experiences can make the process feel easier to manage. An autism diagnosis doesn’t change who someone is, but it can offer a new perspective for understanding, and often brings clarity, relief, and a greater sense of self-acceptance. For many it is the beginning of the unmasking journey of being able to live more as their real self.

Bringing supporting information to the assessment can also be helpful. This doesn’t need to be formal. It might include things like school reports, observations from people close to you, results from free online autism tests, descriptions of early behaviour, or even personal reflections from notes written in a journal or diary that may support autism. All of this can help create a clearer picture, especially if traits have been masked for a long time.