How do I know if a young person is autistic?
Here's what to look out for.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a mental health disorder. This means it's a result of how the brain develops differently. There's no single cause, and it affects people of all ages and genders.
Autism can be a complex condition. Experiences can vary greatly. However, early intervention and support can significantly improve an autistic person's quality of life. Let's delve into the diagnosis process, symptoms, treatment options, and resources available.
What are the symptoms?
ASD symptoms can appear differently in each person, and may change over time. Here are some general areas to consider:
Social Interaction and Communication: Autistic people may struggle with social cues, non-verbal communication, and making friends. They might prefer routines and struggle when plans change without consulting them.
Repetitive Behaviours and Interests: Repetitive behaviours like rocking and flapping hands may be one way—this can be called “stimming” and is a way for autistic people to self-soothe when overstimulated. Autistic children may line up their lines, and may do so many times. You may observe intense interests in specific topics.
Sensory Processing: Autistic people may experience sensory overload from things like loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures.
It's important to remember these are just some common examples, and the autistic experience is a spectrum.
How is ASD Diagnosed?
Diagnosing ASD typically involves a multi-disciplinary team approach. Here's a general outline:
Understanding how they present in Education: Professionals might ask for teachers to complete a questionnaire such as the Social Responsiveness Scale and might even get a member of the team to go and observe the young person at school or nursery.
Understanding parental concerns and developmental history: A professional, normally a paediatrician, will carry out a structured interview with the parent or carer of the young person, usually the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview (3di) or Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised.
Standardised assessment: One of the professionals will usually administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and slightly older children will usually have their speech and language skills formally assessed to build a more complete picture.
Feedback: A healthcare professional, normally a paediatrician, will consider all of the information that has been gathered and make time to share their conclusions with you.
Is there treatment?
There is no ‘cure’ for autism, no licensed medical management, but there are effective interventions that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. These interventions are often tailored to the individual's specific needs and may include:
Making opportunities for low-intensity socialisation: This means environments that are quieter, less bright, and less demanding, and usually alongside other autistic young people. This can help autistic young people make new friends, share, gain new interests, and thrive. I would discourage interventions that focus on teaching social skills. These might cause stress, and send young people the wrong message—that there is something wrong rather than different about how they communicate. To support this, there’s evidence from Crompton et al that suggests autistic people have good peer-to-peer communication, which would suggest that autism is not deficient, just outside of the mainstream.
Speech and Language Therapy: This therapy can improve communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal. For pre-schoolers, many Speech And Language Therapy services offer informal routes to seeking a referral, like drop-ins at family centres/hubs. For older children, your child’s school is normally the best place to start.
Occupational Therapy: An occupational therapist can help with understanding what sensory sensitivities are, and what adaptations might be suitable. Some occupational therapists might be able to advise on or deliver sensory integration therapy. This isn’t commissioned in every Occupational Therapy service on the NHS in every area, so seek advice on this from a relevant professional.
Can anybody make a diagnosis of autism?
Autism assessment(s) can be conducted by any number of professionals who cannot diagnose ASD alone, which may include specialist nurses, mental health support workers and others. They then feedback what they found to a consultant like a psychiatrist or paediatrician. This is what is meant by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach, which you may have heard.
The people who will ultimately make the diagnosis could be one of the following:
Specialist Medical Doctors: These specialists in child health who can assess and diagnose ASD in children and young adolescents, such as Consultant Paediatrician or Consultant Psychiatrist, or a Specialty Doctor in Psychiatry or Paediatrics.
Clinical Psychologists: These trained professionals who conduct psychological assessments and diagnostic evaluations for ASD in children, teenagers, and young adults.
How long will a young person wait for an assessment?
In the UK, waiting times for ASD diagnosis and treatment can vary depending on factors such as geographical location, availability of specialist services, and healthcare system resources. It can also vary by commissioning and the age of the child or young person. There is no fixed standard waiting time, individuals may experience delays in accessing assessment and support services.
According to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, children and young people suspected of having ASD should be referred for assessment and diagnosis by healthcare professionals trained in ASD management. However, due to high demand and limited resources, specialist assessments and interventions can wait from several weeks to several months.
To minimise waiting times and ensure timely access to support, individuals and families need to advocate for their needs, communicate openly with healthcare providers, and explore alternative avenues for assistance, such as private assessments or community-based support groups. There is also the option of looking for NHS-funded assessments that are available sooner that might be further afield, such as through NHS Right To Choose (but this applies to people registered with a GP in England only).
Can you help me?
I am not a professional in the assessment or diagnosis of autism. However, I can help you navigate the process of getting an assessment. I am also able to help with coaching sessions, for you as a parent or carer, or for your child or teenager. I can also advise you on what options are available, such as NHS Right To Choose, and can help you navigate the process with your GP.
Please get in touch:
Final thoughts
Being autistic can be very complicated, and it is life-long. That does not mean that you or your child cannot thrive with a diagnosis of autism. Being a parent or carer to a young autistic person can bring its challenges, as does navigating an entire landscape of complicated support, assessment, diagnosis can be overwhelming. Have some grace for yourself during this process.
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Please note that this blog post provides general information and should not substitute professional medical advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing ASD symptoms, seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.