Understanding Autism: A Unique Perspective

• Social Challenges: Individuals with autism often find it difficult to interpret social interactions. For example, while a neurotypical person might easily understand the joke when someone says, "My boss will kill me if I don’t finish the job," a person with autism might take the statement literally due to the inability to pick up on non-verbal cues, tone of voice, or facial expressions.

• Difficulty in Expressing Themselves: Autism may impact a person's ability to understand and use communication in typical ways. This can include challenges in maintaining conversations, understanding social norms, or recognizing emotional cues.

• Stereotypical and Repetitive Behaviours: People with autism may develop intense interests in specific topics, such as climate change, sharks, dolphins, fish, trains, and particular TV shows. They often focus deeply on these topics, gathering detailed information and repeatedly discussing them. These specific interests can sometimes serve as a coping mechanism or provide comfort.

• Restrictive Interests: These focused interests may lead to a preference for routine and predictability, where the person enjoys activities related to their interests or sticks to certain subjects with great enthusiasm.

• Neuro Sensitivity: People with autism may experience heightened sensitivity to sensory inputs, such as touch, sound, smell, temperature, light, or textures. This can lead to sensory overload, where environments with too much stimulation may be overwhelming or uncomfortable.

• Need for Structure: Many individuals with autism thrive on routine and structure. Their daily life may follow a specific pattern, such as having coffee in the morning, working out at the gym on certain days, or visiting the same restaurant every Tuesday. Any unexpected changes to this routine can lead to discomfort, anxiety, or even meltdowns.
• Discomfort with Change: For individuals with autism, even small deviations from their established routine, like an unplanned invitation to the cinema, can cause stress or anxiety. They may struggle to adjust to the uncertainty, leading to emotional distress.

Diagnosing autism requires a comprehensive approach, as there is no single physical or psychological test for the condition. At PrivateADHD, we adhere to the best available practices and follow the NICE guidelines to ensure an accurate and thorough assessment.

Step-by-Step Diagnostic Process

1. Self-Report and Informant Report:
   We begin by sending out a self-report for the individual suspected of having autism, along with an informant report that should be filled out by parents or close family members. This helps gather initial information and typically takes about an hour to complete.
   • If the individual is a child, we may also request the school to fill out a form to assess social interactions.
2. ADOS-2 Assessment:
   Next, we offer an online appointment with a Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, or a Neurodevelopmental Specialist for an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) assessment.
   • This involves a combination of history taking, specific tasks, and direct observation of the individual's interactions.
   • The session lasts between 60–90 minutes and is conducted via video consultation.
3. Consultation with Consultant Psychiatrist:
   After the ADOS-2 assessment, a follow-up appointment with a Consultant Psychiatrist is scheduled to take a detailed developmental, physical, and mental health history.
   • This session may last up to 90 minutes, and at the end, the psychiatrist will provide an outcome and conclusion.
4. Final Report and GP Update:
   A comprehensive report, including the diagnosis, will be sent to both you and your GP. If the individual meets the criteria for autism, the GP will update their records accordingly once the report is received.