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Just beginning the process

NAS77654

Hello all! I'm just beginning the process of researching, hoping to help my young adult son get diagnosed, get the much needed understanding and help...

Are there any steps to take initially that would help the process? Any advice is much appreciated! Thank you very much!

  • Hello @NAS77654

    Welcome to the community!

    You may like to look at our information about autism spectrum disorders: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism 

     If you were interested in finding out if your son is on the autism spectrum, he would need to have a formal diagnostic assessment. You may find it useful to have a look at the following link for further information about diagnosis and the benefits of getting one: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis 

    Furthermore, it is important the professional he see s has experience of autism spectrum disorders. You can find details of diagnostic services on our Autism Services Directory in the Assessment and diagnosis section: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/directory 

    All the best,

    ChloeMod

  • Firstly, good luck.

    Sadly you probably need to dive in and get a diagnosis. Then you know and can move forward on an informed base.

    People sometimes have other conditions or states of mind which are mistaken for autism, so a proper, credible diagnosis is (in my view) important.  

    Either NHS, referral from GP  (long wait - depending on where you are, maybe 2-3 years) or private at considerable cost.  But be really careful about private - not all service providers are credible even if they have very bold and assertive marketing. 

    I got a (private) diagnosis from the NHS Consultant who leads autism in my region - if I'd gone NHS, in 2-3 years I'd have seen not him, but someone he works for.   BTW he mentioned in passing, whilst we were chatting, that innaccurate diagnosis of autism is an emerging issue in the UK.

    The service I used was also approved by my GP.  Try to do something similar or you may waste your money - even big providers are not always accepted by the state, NHS, insurers etc. 

    Get a firm diagnosis of autism (or something else, if it turns out that way) and then you can move forward with confidence. If it isn't autism I'm sure there will be something there, but you need to know.

    Wishing you well.