If you think you may be autistic, you might want to get a diagnosis. There are many online 'autism tests' available, but none of these can guarantee accuracy. This guide explains the benefits of getting a diagnosis and how to get a referral from your GP. Our diagnostic assessment guide explains what the autism assessment will be like.  

Am I autistic? 

You may be wondering if you are autistic. Perhaps you have read something about autism, or seen a programme on TV, and think it describes some of your own experiences. 

It's quite common for people to have gone through life without an autism diagnosis, feeling that somehow they don't quite fit in. Many people learn to cope with life in their own ways, although this can be hard work.  

It is up to you whether you decide to seek a diagnosis, and some people are happy to remain self-diagnosed. The only way to know for sure whether you are autistic is to get a formal diagnosis. 

Benefits of a diagnosis 

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: 

• 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.
• It may correct a previous misdiagnosis (such as schizophrenia) and mean that any mental health problems can be better addressed.
• It may help you to get access to appropriate services and benefits.
• You will be entitled to have reasonable adjustments made by your employer, college or university.
• It may help women, and those with a demand avoidant profile, who may not before have been recognised as autistic by others.
• 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. 
• 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. 

How to ask for a diagnostic assessment 

Some diagnostic teams accept self-referrals, but in most areas, you will need a referral from 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. 

Speak to your GP 

Book an appointment with your GP. Make sure your diagnosis is the only thing you are seeing your GP about. If you try to mention it during a consultation about another subject, your GP may not address it fully. 

Present your case 

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 think you might want help with this, ask someone you know to come with you. 

Explain your situation

You could say that you've been reading about autism, or that you've been in touch with the National Autistic Society. 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. 

Try to give your GP some examples of difficulties you've had in adulthood and childhood with: 

• communication 
• social interaction
• sensory difficulties
• friendships
• employment
• need for routine. 

Say how much you think these affect the different areas of your life. 

Your GP’s responsibilities 

Not all GPs will have an in-depth knowledge of autism, so it's important to explain things as clearly as you can.  

In England, your GP should be following  NICE guideline 142 and be aware of the statutory guidance requiring a clear diagnosis pathway for adults. 

In Northern Ireland, your GP should be following  NICE guideline 142 and be aware of the  Northern Ireland Autism Strategy and Action Plan. 

In Wales, your GP should be following  NICE guideline 142 and be aware of the  Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan. 

In Scotland, your GP should be following  SIGN guideline 145 and be aware of the  Scottish Strategy for Autism. 

Getting a referral 

If your GP agrees to refer you, we recommend that you tell them about local services that have experience of multidisciplinary diagnosis of autism in adults. Print out the details of diagnostic services in your area and take them with you. 

If it isn't possible to refer you to a multidisciplinary team, you could be referred to an individual professional, such as a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. This professional should be experienced in diagnosing autism, as this will mean you are more likely to be accurately assessed, and will avoid having to go back to your GP to ask for a second referral. 

Be aware that it can sometimes be hard to find a service or professional with experience of diagnosing autism in adults. 

Once you have been referred, there is no more involvement from your GP. 

Where will I be referred to?

You are most likely to be referred to a diagnostic service (such as a clinic or assessment centre) in your local Clinical Commissioning Group area (in England), your Health Board area (in Scotland), your Local Health Board area (in Wales), or your Health and Social Care Trust area (in Northern Ireland). You can be referred to a service outside your area, but as this costs more, your local NHS commissioning body might question why you need to go there, or whether you really need a diagnosis. 

Private diagnosis is always an option, if you can pay for one, but you may occasionally find that local service providers (for example, social services) will not accept private diagnoses and will insist upon you having an NHS diagnosis too. 

What if my GP does not refer me?

If your GP decides not to refer you for a diagnosis, ask for the reason why. If you don't feel comfortable discussing their decision then and there, you can ask for a second appointment to talk it through. You could ask to see another GP at the surgery. 

If you want to complain about the referral, you can make a complaint. 

Next steps 

Read our guide to the diagnostic assessment for adults
Find local adult diagnostic services
Watch our Spectrum Live video about diagnosis.