Autism: understanding the spectrum, navigating assessment, and finding support
From the first signs to formal assessment, from masking to late diagnosis. Research-grounded guides covering autism in children, girls, adults, and the ADHD overlap.
Articles in this guide
Autism and ADHD: when they overlap (AuDHD)
Between 30–50% of autistic people also have ADHD. Here's what that combination looks like, how it gets missed, and what it means for your child.
Autism and PIP: what you're entitled to claim
In 2024, 198,000 PIP claims listed autism as the main condition. Here's how PIP works for autism, who can claim, and how to approach the form.
Autism assessment: NHS and private routes explained
NHS autism assessment waits are long. Here's how the referral process works, what Right to Choose means, and what private assessment involves.
Autism symptom checklist for adults: what to take to your GP
A practical autism checklist for adults. Tick what you recognise, print the result, and take it to your GP appointment.
Autism checklist for children: what to bring to your GP
A practical autism checklist for parents. Tick what you recognise in your child, print the result, and take it to your GP or school SENCO.
Autism checklist for girls: signs that are easy to miss
Autism in girls looks different. This checklist covers the female autism phenotype — the signs that get missed by schools, GPs, and sometimes parents.
Autism in adults: signs that get missed
Around 750,000 autistic adults in England are estimated to be undiagnosed. Here are the signs, what late diagnosis changes, and how to access assessment.
Autism in girls: why it looks so different
Autism in girls is frequently missed — by teachers, by GPs, and sometimes by parents too. Here's what the research says about why, and what to do about it.
What is high-functioning autism?
High-functioning autism is no longer a clinical term — but the questions it raises are real. Here's what it meant, why it's changed, and what matters instead.
What is autism? A plain guide for parents
Autism is a lifelong difference in how the brain processes the world. Here's what that actually means — and where to go from here.
Why is autism on the increase?
Autism diagnoses have risen sharply over 30 years. Here's what the evidence says about why — including the theories parents search for most.