Autism Assessment for Young People (16–25): Why So Many Are Diagnosed Later Than Expected
There has been a significant increase in the number of young people seeking autism assessments during late adolescence and early adulthood. At Clear Sky Therapies, we regularly meet individuals aged between 16 and 25 who have spent much of their lives feeling “different” without understanding why.
Why be assessed for Autism?
When I ask people what they hope to gain from an assessment. They tell they want understanding and clarity about who they are, who they have always been. They also said they want a reason for their difficulties, but not just for them, also for others to better understand and make sense of why they have struggled.
For many, receiving an autism diagnosis is not about finding a label; it is about finally finding an explanation.
Why is autism often missed?
Contrary to common belief, autism is not always obvious during childhood. Yes there are people where it does show up in stereotypical ways, but these are the smaller proportion of those I see in clinic.
Many young people:
- Achieve well academically
- Have friendships, although they may find them confusing or exhausting
- Develop ways of masking or copying others
- Appear quiet, shy or anxious rather than obviously autistic.
Some become increasingly aware of their differences during secondary school, college or university, when social expectations become more complex and independent living presents new challenges. With girls on the spectrum, puberty can be the most telling time.
Common signs in older teenagers and young adults
Every autistic person is different, but common experiences include:
- Feeling exhausted after social situations
- Preferring routine and predictability
- Sensory sensitivities to noise, light, touch or food
- Finding conversations difficult to navigate
- Masking / camouflaging / mirroring in order to fit in
- Feeling ‘different’ without understanding why
- Becoming overwhelmed by change or uncertainty.
Many young people also experience anxiety, low mood or burnout alongside these difficulties.
What happens during an autism assessment?
At Clear Sky Therapies, our assessments explore far more than a checklist of symptoms.
We consider:
- Developmental history
- Childhood experiences, sadly sometimes including traumatic experiences
- Education
- Friendships and relationships
- Communication style
- Sensory experiences
- Current strengths and challenges.
Where possible, we also gather information from someone who knew you well during childhood. This is really important, and can come in the form of an interview, as well as considering school reports and information from educators.
Our aim is not simply to determine whether you meet diagnostic criteria, but to understand how you experience the world.
What happens if I receive a diagnosis?
For many people, diagnosis brings:
- Relief
- Validation
- Increased self-understanding
- Access to reasonable adjustments
- Improved mental health through self-acceptance.
An autism diagnosis does not change who you are. It simply provides a framework for understanding experiences that may previously have felt confusing or isolating.
Thinking about an autism assessment?
If you are aged 16 or over and recognise yourself in some of these experiences, we would be happy to discuss whether an assessment may be appropriate.