What to Expect at an Autism Screening
- sjajawi
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
If you have noticed traits associated with autism in yourself or someone close to you, an autism screening can be a useful first step towards understanding whether further assessment may be appropriate.
Screening typically looks at behaviours and experiences commonly associated with autism, such as social communication, sensory sensitivities, routines, focused interests, and how you respond to different social situations. It is important to remember that screening is not the same as receiving a formal autism diagnosis.
For many people, completing an autism screening can provide a helpful starting point before deciding whether to seek a comprehensive assessment with a qualified healthcare professional.
What Is an Autism Screening?
An autism screening is designed to identify traits or behaviours that may be associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It can help indicate whether it may be worth discussing your experiences with a healthcare professional or considering a full diagnostic assessment.
Screening may involve answering a series of questions about areas such as:
Social communication and interaction
Understanding social cues
Preference for routines and predictability
Sensory sensitivities
Repetitive behaviours or movements
Highly focused interests
How you experience social situations
There are different types of screening tools available, including questionnaires that can be completed online.
However, the results of a screening tool should not be considered a diagnosis. Autism can present very differently from one person to another, and a comprehensive diagnostic assessment considers a much wider range of information.
What Questions Might You Be Asked?
The exact questions will depend on the screening tool being used, but they are generally designed to explore how you experience everyday situations.
For example, you may be asked about your comfort in social situations, whether you find it difficult to understand what other people are thinking or feeling, and how easily you recognise social cues.
Questions may also explore whether you prefer familiar routines, become particularly focused on certain interests, or experience sensitivities to sounds, lights, smells, textures, or other sensory input.
There are no right or wrong answers. The purpose is to build a picture of your experiences and identify whether you display traits that are commonly associated with autism.
Where possible, answer based on your typical experiences rather than how you think you are expected to respond.
How Long Does an Autism Screening Take?
The time required will depend on the screening method being used. Many initial questionnaires are relatively short and can be completed in your own time.
You should try to complete the questions when you have enough time to consider your answers without feeling rushed.
Some people find that certain questions make them reflect on experiences they had not previously associated with autism. Taking your time can therefore be helpful, particularly if you are exploring autistic traits for the first time.
What Happens After an Autism Screening?
The next step depends on your results, your individual circumstances, and the reasons you decided to complete the screening.
If your responses indicate that you display several traits associated with autism, you may wish to discuss the results with a healthcare professional.
They may recommend a more comprehensive autism assessment to explore your experiences in greater detail.
A screening result alone cannot confirm that you are autistic. Similarly, a screening result that does not strongly indicate autism does not necessarily explain any difficulties you may be experiencing.
Screening should therefore be viewed as one source of information rather than a definitive answer.
Is an Autism Screening the Same as an Autism Assessment?
No. This is an important distinction.
An autism screening is an initial way of identifying whether someone displays traits commonly associated with autism. It can help determine whether further investigation may be worthwhile.
A diagnostic autism assessment is much more comprehensive and is carried out by appropriately qualified professionals. It considers information from a range of sources to determine whether an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for autism.
An assessment may explore areas including:
Your current experiences and difficulties
Social communication and interaction
Sensory experiences
Routines and repetitive behaviours
Developmental and childhood history
Education, employment and relationships
Mental and physical health
Information from someone who knows you well, where appropriate
The assessment process allows clinicians to develop a much more complete understanding of the individual rather than relying on the result of a questionnaire alone.
Can Adults Complete an Autism Screening?
Yes. Although autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, many people do not recognise autistic traits in themselves until adulthood.
Some adults develop ways of adapting to social situations or masking certain behaviours, which can make autistic traits less noticeable to other people.
Others may begin exploring autism after experiencing difficulties with relationships, employment, sensory environments, changes in routine, or social situations.
Increasing awareness of autism in adults has also led many people to recognise experiences they previously struggled to explain.
For adults who are beginning to question whether they could be autistic, screening can provide a useful starting point for exploring these experiences.
When Should You Consider an Autism Assessment?
You may want to consider seeking professional advice if traits associated with autism have been present throughout your life and are affecting your everyday experiences.
For example, you may regularly experience difficulties with social communication, understanding social expectations, adapting to changes in routine, managing sensory environments, or recovering from demanding social situations.
You might also have spent many years developing strategies to manage these challenges without understanding why certain situations seem more difficult or exhausting for you than they do for other people.
A professional autism assessment can explore these experiences in much greater detail and determine whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for autism.
For some people, receiving a diagnosis can provide greater self-understanding and help identify appropriate adjustments, strategies, or support.
Preparing for an Autism Assessment
If screening leads you to consider a formal assessment, it can be useful to spend some time thinking about your experiences beforehand.
You may want to make notes about:
Traits you have noticed in yourself
Situations you find particularly difficult
Sensory sensitivities
Your experiences of friendships and relationships
Routines or behaviours that are important to you
Experiences from childhood
Difficulties at school, university, or work
Strategies you use to manage social situations
You do not need to arrive with a complete list or prove that you are autistic. These notes can simply help you remember experiences you would like to discuss with the clinician.
Take an Autism Screening
If you are wondering whether you may display traits associated with autism, Dr J & Colleagues provides an online autism screening that can help you explore some of the characteristics commonly associated with the condition.
The screening is designed as an initial guide rather than a diagnostic tool. Your result cannot confirm whether you are autistic, but it may help you decide whether you would like to seek further professional advice or consider a comprehensive autism assessment.
You can complete the screening online in your own time and use the result as a starting point for understanding your experiences. Take the Autism Screening
Frequently Asked Questions About Autism Screening
What is an autism screening?
An autism screening is an initial tool used to identify traits or behaviours that may be associated with autism. It can indicate whether seeking further professional advice or a comprehensive autism assessment may be appropriate.
Can an autism screening diagnose autism?
No. Screening tools cannot provide a formal autism diagnosis. A diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment carried out by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals.
What happens during an autism screening?
You will usually answer questions about areas such as social communication, routines, sensory experiences, focused interests, and how you respond to different everyday situations.
Can adults take an autism screening?
Yes. Adults who recognise possible autistic traits in themselves can use screening as an initial way to explore their experiences before deciding whether to seek a professional assessment.
What happens if my screening suggests autism?
A screening result does not confirm autism, but you may wish to discuss your experiences with a healthcare professional and consider whether a comprehensive diagnostic assessment would be appropriate.
What is the difference between autism screening and an autism assessment?
Screening is an initial indication of possible autistic traits, whereas a diagnostic assessment is a comprehensive clinical process used to determine whether someone meets the diagnostic criteria for autism.
Should I prepare for an autism screening?
You generally do not need to prepare. It can, however, be helpful to answer the questions carefully and think about your usual experiences rather than how you feel you are expected to respond.
