This website (previously ASDinfoWales) belongs to and is run by the National Autism Team, which is funded by Welsh Government. It is one of the resources which helps the Team achieve their aim to improve the lives of autistic people in Wales.

The following advice is adapted from NICE Guideline CG142: Autism in adults: diagnosis and management [Link: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142]

Access

There should be a single point of access for all ASD referrals for diagnostic assessment

Individuals should be able to self refer for diagnostic assessment

Deciding whether to proceed with a diagnostic assessment

The referral should be accepted if it indicates that:

  • The person has no or mild learning disability and scores 6 or more on an AQ10 screening questionnaire (or, if the person scores less than 6, but a false negative result is suspected e.g. due to lack of insight).

Or

  • The person has moderate or severe learning disability and two or more of the following are present.
  •   difficulties in reciprocal social interaction including:
    • limited interaction with others (for example, being aloof, indifferent or unusual)
    • interaction to fulfil needs only
    • interaction that is naive or one-sided
  • lack of responsiveness to others
  • little or no change in behaviour in response to different social situations
  • limited social demonstration of empathy
  • rigid routines and resistance to change
  • marked repetitive activities (for example, rocking and hand or finger flapping), especially when under stress or expressing emotion.

A referral should not be rejected simply because the person does not have a coexisting mental disorder or learning disability.

If the referral does not indicate that the person may have autistic spectrum disorder, consider referral and/or signposting to other services (e.g. mental health).

Downloads

NICE guidelines [CG142] - Autism in adults: diagnosis and management
Adult Diagnosis Information leaflet
Adult Diagnosis Information Leaflet_Easyread
Autism – do you know the signs?
Autism – do you know the signs? - Pre School Children – 2 years to 41/2 years
Autism SIGNS poster - Children and younger adolescents
Autism – do you know the signs? - Older Adolescents and Adults
ASD Assessment Planning Tool