Adult Autism Assessment Team

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is sometimes referred to as ASC or Autism, and was previously known as Aspergers syndrome.  

Learn more about ASD on the NHS website (opens new browser tab)

ASD isn’t a mental health illness, although some people with autism might also have mental health conditions.

Although ASD can make some things like work, education and personal relationships challenging at times, it’s important to know that it doesn’t limit what you can achieve.

While people with ASD may share similar symptoms and habits, everybody’s experiences will be different. For example, you might prefer routines and dislike change, and might be good at noticing patterns and small details, and seeing things in a different way.

There’s no medical test for ASD. Instead, we offer a diagnosis assessment service to help us see if there are any clear signs for an ASD diagnosis.

Our assessment may take up to three hours and will be carried out by two of our specialists. This is only an assessment, and not a detailed treatment.

Unfortunately we don’t provide an assessment if you’re already diagnosed with ASD.

Once you’re referred to us, we’ll arrange an appointment with you. We’ll get to know you and ask you about your experiences as an adult and in your childhood, such as:

• Personal history
• How you’re feeling now
• Your education and work experiences
• Your relationships
• Hobbies and habits 

Some signs of ASD can occur in early childhood, so it can be really helpful to bring a parent or older sibling to your appointment. If this isn’t possible, please bring a partner or friend who knows you well.

If we’re unable to collect this developmental information, we may not be able to provide a full diagnosis.

Treatment and support 

After your appointment, we’ll suggest different types of treatment, and give you and your GP a diagnosis report. This report can help you with things such as: 

• Workplace assessments
• Benefits assessments
• Arrangements with your teachers if you’re in education
• Court cases you may be involved with

If we think you’ll benefit from it, we may offer you a place in our post diagnostic group called Being Me. This isn’t a treatment service, but an education programme which can help you and your family learn more about your ASD diagnosis. Each session lasts up to two hours.

If a diagnosis of ASD isn’t made, we’ll guide you to other appropriate services so you can find the help you need. This could be at our hospital, or other organisations we work with.

We accept referrals for anybody over the age of 17 and half years old. If you’re younger, our CYPF Autism Assessment Team can support you.

Unfortunately, we don’t accept self referrals.

Support from our CYPF autism assessment team 

To see us, please request a referral from your GP. They will complete a screening questionnaire with you to help decide if our service might be helpful to you.

We also accept referrals from other healthcare professionals including psychologists and psychiatrists, through our Common Point of Entry (CPE) service.

View referral form for GPs

If you’re referred to us, we’ll send you three questionnaires, which will help us get to know you better.

One of these questionnaires should be completed by someone who knew you as a child. Please return all of the questionnaires to us by email or post and we’ll add you to the waiting list.

If you have any questions, you can contact our team. Autism Berkshire Society may also be able to help if you want to know more about ASD.  

Call 0118 904 4600

Email neuropsychology@berkshire.nhs.uk

Our assessment centre is at 25 Erleigh Road, Reading RG1 5LR.

Our assessments are by appointment only. If you don’t have an appointment, please check how to access our service.  

If you feel at risk of hurting yourself or others, call 999.

If you need to talk to someone now, you can call the Samaritans

Call 08457 90 90 90  

Contact the Samaritans (opens new browser tab)

You can also make an emergency appointment with your GP, visit your local A&E, or call our Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CHRTT)

Call 0300 365 9999

Our mental health teams and services, including Talking Therapies, are available if you need support. 

Find out how to access mental health support 

You can also find resources and guides on our website to help you if you need more advice.  

Resources to help with your mental health wellbeing