Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
A lifelong neurodevelopmental difference affecting how a person perceives, communicates, and relates to the world.
WHAT IS IT?
Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behaviour and interest. It is not an illness to be cured but a different way of experiencing and interacting with the world, present from birth and persisting throughout life.
Autism exists on a spectrum, meaning that it presents very differently from one person to another. Many adults particularly women go undiagnosed for years, having learned to mask their difficulties in order to fit in, often at significant personal cost to their mental health. A diagnosis can be a profoundly clarifying and validating experience.
WHAT MIGHT YOU NOTICE?
The defining features of autism include differences in social communication and interaction such as difficulty with the unwritten rules of conversation, understanding non-verbal cues, or maintaining back-and-forth exchanges. Autistic people may find social situations confusing, exhausting, or anxiety-provoking, even when they genuinely want to connect with others.
Restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour or interest are also characteristic including a strong preference for routine, deep and focused interests, and sensory sensitivities. These features can bring significant strengths as well as difficulties.
Common symptoms include:
Differences in social communication and interaction
Difficulty reading social cues and body language
Strong preference for routine and predictability
Intense, focused interests in specific topics
Sensory sensitivities (to sound, light, touch, smell or taste)
Difficulty with unexpected changes or transitions
Social exhaustion and the need to 'mask'
Literal interpretation of language
Difficulty with reciprocal conversation
WHICH TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILIBLE?
A formal assessment and diagnosis can be transformative providing a framework for understanding yourself or your loved one, and opening doors to appropriate support. We conduct thorough, clinically led autism assessments in adults, using recognised diagnostic tools and taking a careful, holistic approach.
Comprehensive Assessment: Our autism assessments draw on detailed history-taking, structured clinical tools, and collateral information to provide a thorough and accurate diagnostic picture.
Post-Diagnostic Support: A diagnosis is a beginning, not an end. We provide guidance on what the diagnosis means for you, how to access support, and how to communicate your needs in everyday life.
Managing Co-occurring Conditions: Anxiety, depression, ADHD, and OCD frequently co-occur with autism. We are experienced in identifying and treating these conditions in autistic adults.
Workplace & Education Support: We can provide letters and reports to support reasonable adjustments at work or in education, helping you access the environment in which you can thrive.