![]() Not all GPs will have an in-depth knowledge of autism, so it's important to explain things as clearly as you can. Say how much you think these affect the different areas of your life. Try to give your GP some examples of difficulties you've had in adulthood and childhood with: You could say that you think you experience some of the difficulties autistic people can face, and you would like to seek a formal assessment to be sure. You could say that you've been reading about autism, or that you've been in touch with the National Autistic Society. If you think you might want help with this, ask someone you know to come with you. Your GP needs a reason to refer you for diagnosis, so you will have to explain why you think you could be autistic, and how a diagnosis would benefit you. If you try to mention it during a consultation about another subject, your GP may not address it fully. Make sure your diagnosis is the only thing you are seeing your GP about. Speak to your GPīook an appointment with your GP. If you are seeing a different health professional for other reasons (for example, a psychologist if you have depression), you could ask them for a referral instead. Some diagnostic teams accept self-referrals, but in most areas, you will need a referral from your GP. Although you don’t need to be diagnosed to have self-belief, some autistic people welcome the diagnosis as a way of making sense of their life experiences and being able to identify with other autistic people.You don't need to be diagnosed to join our online community or subscribe to the Spectrum or Your Autism magazine, but you might need a diagnosis to join some social groups.It may help women, and those with a demand avoidant profile, who may not before have been recognised as autistic by others.You will be entitled to have reasonable adjustments made by your employer, college or university.It may help you to get access to appropriate services and benefits.It may correct a previous misdiagnosis (such as schizophrenia) and mean that any mental health problems can be better addressed.It may help you (and your family, partner, employer, colleagues and friends) to understand why you may experience certain difficulties and what you can do about them.Some people see a formal diagnosis as an unhelpful label, but for many, getting a timely and thorough assessment and diagnosis may be helpful because: The only way to know for sure whether you are autistic is to get a formal diagnosis. It is up to you whether you decide to seek a diagnosis, and some people are happy to remain self-diagnosed. ![]() Many people learn to cope with life in their own ways, although this can be hard work. It's quite common for people to have gone through life without an autism diagnosis, feeling that somehow they don't quite fit in. Perhaps you have read something about autism, or seen a programme on TV, and think it describes some of your own experiences. You may be wondering if you are autistic. Our diagnostic assessment guide explains what the autism assessment will be like. This guide explains the benefits of getting a diagnosis and how to get a referral from your GP. There are many online 'autism tests' available, but none of these can guarantee accuracy. If you think you may be autistic, you might want to get a diagnosis.
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