Gold Standard Autism
Assessments for adults

Autism Services for Adults

Autism affects many adults in the UK and is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. It is not a learning disability or a mental health condition, but relates to how a person communicates, interacts, and experiences the world.

An autism diagnostic assessment can help adults gain clarity and understanding about their individual traits, needs, and strengths. We take a thoughtful, person-centred approach, ensuring you feel listened to, respected, and supported throughout the process. Any outcomes are shared clearly and sensitively, with time to talk through what they mean for you and what, if any, next steps feel helpful.

We’re with you every step of the way

How our Autism Diagnostic Assessments for adults work

Our comprehensive assessments are carried out in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines and underpinned by the latest industry best practices.
Step
1

Information-gathering

Before the assessment takes place, we will share some pre-assessment questionnaires with you, which we will need you to complete as fully as possible. We will then use this insight to identify the most suitable assessment.

Please note: If there is a strong indication, we will invite you to progress to the next phase.

Step
2

assessment

Once we have reviewed your completed questionnaires, we will invite you to attend an assessment appointment.
The assessment usually takes place over two sessions. The first focuses on understanding your developmental history and experiences, using the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R).

The second session uses the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), a structured assessment that helps us understand communication, social interaction, and imagination.

Both parts of the assessment are used together to build a clear and balanced understanding, in line with recognised best practice.

Step
3

Diagnostic report

We will provide you with a written report within 4 weeks of your assessment session with us. If possible, we will share our diagnostic outcome with you, as well as tailored recommendations based on your individual circumstances. In addition to emailing the report to you, we will invite you to come in and see us, so that we can discuss the findings together.

Step
4

Tailored support

Here at Glowing Psychology, we not only care about making sure you receive clarity, but that you are clear on what the next steps look like. If required, we are more than happy to signpost you to relevant support services and provide you with ongoing support.

Contact Glowing Psychology today

If you have any questions or just aren’t sure where to start, then please do get in touch and we’ll do our best to help you find the right thing for you.
 

Common autism signs

You may be experiencing…

People of all ages can be autistic. Everyone experiences autism in their own way, and no two people are the same.

While each person’s experiences are different, there are some characteristics that are commonly associated with autism.

These may include:

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Getting very anxious about social situations.

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Finding it difficult to say how they feel.

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Finding it difficult to understand what others are thinking or feeling.

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Having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes.

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appointment

Book An Appointment Today

Speak to us about our Autism Diagnostic Assessments for adults today

If you have any queries about our Autism Diagnostic Assessments for adults or would like to discuss your requirements with us, complete the short form below and one of experienced,  certified specialists will be in touch within 24 hours.

Autism Adult Booking Form
Frequently Asked Questions

We're here to answer your questions

Taking the first steps to understanding why your child feels different, unhappy, or is struggling takes courage. We’re here to help you make sure you find the right support for your child and your family.
Do you charge for your services?

All the services we provide are charged for.
We operate as a not-for-profit independent organisation. This means you can always be assured that our fees are the lowest we can reach while maintaining the highest quality of assessment and support.
Please get in touch with the admin team for any specific queries about pricing.

Will my GP recognize the assessment and report?
Our assessments adhere to NICE guidelines, utilizing “gold standard” approaches conducted by fully accredited practitioners. However, GPs may have specific regulations for private assessments. We recommend checking directly with your GP to ensure compliance with their requirements. If there are specific needs, inform us, and we’ll assess our capability to fulfill them.
What is an observer, and is it necessary?
An observer is crucial for neurodevelopmental assessments at Glowing Psychology. They provide an account of your symptoms throughout life, enhancing the accuracy of the assessment. While a parent or guardian is the most beneficial observer, a family member or a long-term partner/friend can also serve this role. If having an observer is not possible, discuss options with our team, or consider seeking an assessment elsewhere, ideally within the NHS.
I use masking and coping mechanisms. Can I still be assessed?
Many adults and children with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions develop the ability to mask and have coping strategies to get through day to day life. Clinicians at Glowing Psychology are specialists in the field, and they are experienced in understanding the complexities of masking. Spend some time before the assessment thinking about how you mask and in which situations, and talking about these with your observer. Remember to consider what you were like at different times in your life such as childhood, teenage years, and adulthood. Share information about your masking and coping strategies during the assessment. Bringing notes about these aspects can be helpful in ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms and traits.
Can you guarantee a diagnosis?

No. Our clinicians can only provide a diagnosis if they believe you meet the diagnostic criteria. It would not be possible or ethical to guarantee a diagnosis. Complex histories or external factors may impact outcomes. We cannot refund fees based on diagnosis absence, as our service provides a rigorous UK best practice model assessment, not a specific diagnosis.

Is your team experienced in assessing and diagnosing women and non-binary people with Autism?

Yes. Our Adult Autism Assessment includes the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO), conducted by an experienced psychologist or psychotherapist which is an inclusive Autism assessment tool particularly useful for assessing Autism in women and non-binary people. This is followed by an assessment by a neurodevelopmental specialist psychiatrist to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.

Do you diagnose Pathological demand avoidance (PDA)?
While practitioners recognize PDA as part of Autism within the spectrum, it is not separately diagnosed by DSM-5 , ICD-10, or ICD-11. This means it can’t be diagnosed but it can be referred to as part of an Autism diagnosis if appropriate.
Can we apply for an EHCP using the assessment report?
Absolutely. Many patients use our assessment reports to access EHCP.
My child masks and has coping mechanisms. Can they still be assessed?

Yes, our clinicians are experienced in understanding masking complexities. Share information about how your child masks and their coping strategies during the assessment. Encourage your child to share how they feel with the clinicians. It is important that the clinicians have enough evidence to support a diagnosis, think about different settings that your child’s symptoms present in and share information with them.
The clinician’s must be able to evidence that the symptoms are present in a setting outside of home such as school, or an extra curricular activity. A professional in one of these settings will need to fill out pre-assessment questionnaires about your child’s symptoms and traits.

Can you prescribe medication for ADHD

No, we don’t prescribe medication for ADHD.