Advice for adult seeking diagnosis with no family input

This was not an issue when I got diagnosed a few years ago on the NHS. I explained my situation to them. I asked an older cousin, though, to fill in a form about what she remembered from our childhood. Not sure whether that would have absolutely been necessary. My cousin did not really remember a lot. You could also ask a former teacher or bring school reports if you did not hide all difficulties at school. Anybody you know who witnessed any sensory/social/routine related differences in your childhood, and with whom you feel comfortable asking them and are able to contact them.

It is helpful to get as much information as possible about how autistic people can experience the world differently, and then to make a thorough list of what one has realised about oneself. My list has since kept growing. I am still realising the more I learn (sensory differences, social & communication differences, routines & predictability), why certain situations were so difficult for me and which were actually not "neurotypical".

It is fine to start with your current understanding and then take it from there backwards. I had started to list what I experienced on difficulties at the time when seeking a diagnosis (which is why I had realised about a decade ago that I needed an official diagnosis), and have since worked my way backwards. It helps to put down anything that ever came up in talking with ones family and stands out as potentially related to potentially autistic differences in experiencing the world.

It is also important to know about masking, to realise when and how one is masking and to start to unmask when it is safe and then intentionally to unmask for the duration of the assessment.

This seems to be a problem for a lot of latelings, the system seems to be set up for children rather than adults. Not everyone has a close family, or one who would support them in seeking a diagnosis, let alone someone who has no family they can ask at all. I think all you can do is write to them explaining your situation to them, if they're unhelpful, then write to your MP and ask for thier help.

Hello NB1 

Welcome to the community.

I can’t recommend a provider as I am not in a ‘Right to Choose’ part of the UK. I was on a long waiting list for an NHS autism sssessment but I didn’t want to wait years so I opted for a private assessment that would be recognised by my GP and the NHS Autism Clinic in my area. 

NB1 said:

I know that most assessment providers ask a parent, other family member or long-standing friend for their input

That was my understanding too. My assessor explained that those undergoing assessment should provide such a person but they recognise that not all adults, especially older adults, would have a family member or someone else who has known them well since early life. They were happy to assess me and diagnosed me with ASD.

I had researched several autism clinics in my area and most said a similar thing except for one clinic. That clinic was hesitant and couldn’t confirm one way or the other and they didn’t get back to me about it.  

It would be nonsensical to exclude diagnosis for adults just because they don’t have a person who has known them well since childhood, especially since the nature of autism for some people means that they can spend much of their time enjoying solitary pursuits. 

Hi - not sure I can help as did have an observer for my assessments (Autism + ADHD)  school reports if you have them can be used for evidence, likewise if there anything in your medical reports that may help too.  

I don't think it certain you have to have someone who has known you in childhood - but am sure you're not alone, not having an informant, so hopefully someone can help put your worry to rest

good luck too!