Is a parent always required?
This is a common concern, particularly for adults seeking an autism assessment later in life. You might not have a parent who is available to take part. They may have died, you may no longer be in contact, the relationship may make involving them inappropriate, or they may simply remember very little about your childhood.
Not having a parent available does not automatically mean that an autism assessment cannot take place.
Why developmental history matters
Autism is developmental, which means an assessment needs to consider whether relevant patterns were present earlier in life rather than appearing only recently. Information about childhood and adolescence is therefore an important part of assessment.
Developmental history matters, but a parent interview is not the only possible source of developmental information.
What can be used instead?
We first talk with you about what information is realistically available. Depending on your circumstances, useful sources might include:
- a sibling or other relative who knew you when you were young;
- a long-standing partner or another person who has known you for many years;
- school reports or educational records;
- previous psychological, medical or neurodevelopmental assessments;
- other historical documents that describe how you were as a child or adolescent.
Your own account of your development remains important too.
Will having no parent count against me?
No. We do not treat the absence of a parent as evidence either for or against an autism diagnosis.
Instead, we consider the evidence that is actually available and ask whether, taken together, it provides a sufficiently clear picture of development across your lifetime.
For some people there is still strong developmental evidence. For others, genuine uncertainty may remain. If we think gaps in historical information significantly limit what can reasonably be concluded, we discuss that openly rather than forcing the information into a definite answer.
Talk to us before deciding
If the absence of a parent or informant has been putting you off seeking an assessment, you are welcome to contact us before booking. A short conversation can help us understand what information may be available and whether our assessment pathway is suitable.