Autism assessment preparation checklist

Appointments can feel short, and it is common to freeze or forget the examples you meant to mention. Writing things down beforehand means the important details reach the person assessing you, even on a difficult day.

What the checklist covers

There are five short sections. First, why you are seeking an assessment now. Second, concrete examples from five areas of life, both now and in childhood. Third, someone who knew you when you were young or knows you well now. Fourth, the questions you want to ask. Fifth, practical things that help you during the appointment itself.

Leave anything blank that does not apply. The summary updates as you type, and you can print it on one page or download it as a text file.

Why examples from childhood matter

Childhood examples do not need to be dramatic. School reports, family stories and memories of what felt hard or easy are often enough. If no one from your childhood is available, say so; assessors work with that regularly.

How to write useful examples

Specific examples are easier for an assessor to understand than general statements. Instead of writing that social situations are hard, describe a recent one in a few lines. These four prompts help:

• Where and when it happened.
• What you did, said or felt.
• What happened afterward, including how long you needed to recover.
• Whether it was the same when you were younger.

Choosing an informant

An informant is someone who can describe how you were as a child or how you are now. Parents, older siblings, long-term partners and old friends are common choices. It helps to ask them early, tell them what kind of questions to expect, and let them know honest answers are more useful than reassuring ones.

Questions to ask and needs on the day

You are allowed to ask how the assessment works, how masking is taken into account, when you will get a written report and what support is available whatever the outcome. You can also ask for practical changes: somewhere quiet to wait, written questions, breaks or extra time to answer. Most services would rather know in advance.

If you are seeing a family doctor first

In many places the first step is a general practitioner or family doctor, who decides whether to refer you. Appointments are often short, so lead with your reasons and two or three of your strongest examples. Ask directly whether a referral for an adult autism assessment is possible, and roughly how long the wait might be.

Limits of this checklist

The checklist is a preparation aid. It is not a test of autism and it does not affect the outcome of an assessment. Different services use different methods, so some sections may matter more than others where you are.