While waiting for an autism assessment, you can also get support from your employer, healthcare services, or in education.

You could consider ways to tell your employer, education institution or healthcare providers that you think you could be autistic, some reasonable adjustments that could help to support you, and your rights under the Equality Act (2010).

How to tell services (such as employers or healthcare providers) you’re awaiting assessment

Telling other people (such as your employer, education or healthcare provider) that you are awaiting an autism assessment or think you could be autistic is a personal decision, and how you approach it depends on your comfort level, who you would have to tell, and your goals. Here’s a thoughtful way to approach it:

Decide why you’re sharing

Consider what you hope to achieve by disclosing:

  • Are you seeking reasonable adjustments?
  • Do you want other people to understand you better?
  • Are you simply being open about your identity?

Choose the right person and setting

  • Start with someone you trust.
  • Request a private meeting to ensure confidentiality and comfort.

Prepare what you want to say

It can be really difficult to know how to start a conversation with somebody to tell them that you are awaiting an autism assessment or think you could be autistic.

You could start by saying:

“I wanted to share an update about my health and wellbeing. I have been thinking I could be autistic, and I am awaiting an assessment for autism”

“I wanted to let you know about my current personal circumstances. I am considering whether I could be autistic and am seeking a referral for an assessment”

“I wanted to share that I have recently been exploring with [my GP] whether I could be autistic and have been referred for an assessment”

Discussing strengths and difficulties

It’s up to you if you want to you discuss this, you don’t need to go into lots of detail. Focus on how autistic traits impact you and what support could be helpful. For example:

“I wanted to share something personal that affects how I work. I think I might be autistic and have been referred for an assessment. I sometimes experience things like sensory sensitivity or need extra time to process verbal instructions. I’m sharing this because I want to be open and explore any adjustments that could help me work more effectively.”

You can also mention your strengths. For example:

“While I do struggle with those things and need some support, I have also found that I can offer keen attention to detail, I have strong focus, and logical thinking and problem-solving skills.”

Be clear about support needs (if any)

If you’re seeking reasonable adjustments, be specific about what would help:

  • Quiet workspace
  • Written instructions
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Clear communication styles.

If you are unsure about what could help, you can download our list of possible reasonable adjustments.

Know Your Rights

In the UK, autism is considered a disability under the Equality Act 2010, which means you’re entitled to reasonable adjustments in work, education, and healthcare.

Follow up in writing (optional)

You might want to follow up with an email summarising what you discussed, especially if accommodations were agreed upon.

While you are waiting, it is important to look after your health and wellbeing as best as you can.

Here are some resources that could help to support your health and wellbeing while you wait.

Social groups for autistic people

The Autistic Spectrum Collective is a Liverpool based charity for anybody awaiting a diagnosis of autism, self-diagnosed autistic people, and people who have been diagnosed as autistic. They host several events through the month including a long and short walk, a pub quiz, and a social drop on. For more information, please visit Autistic Spectrum Collective.

Mental health and wellbeing support

NHS Talking Therapies offers free NHS therapy for people with common mental health problems like anxiety or depression, to help you change the way you feel by changing the way you think NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression. You can self-refer to talking therapies online; each area has it’s own webpage and can be found here by typing ‘Talking Therapies’ Our services

Watch a short film to learn more about Talking Therapies: https://youtu.be/PRMHTMGguK8

Support in a crisis

If you or somebody else if in danger call 999 or go to your local A&E now.

If you need urgent help for your mental health, get help from NHS 111 online or call 111.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You will not be wasting anybody’s time.

You can also reach out to any of the following sources for help in a crisis.

Local sources of support

There are lots of community organisations who offer free wellbeing support, counselling, social inclusion or activities within Merseyside. You can learn more about them using the links below.

You can also find more information about local organisations that can support you using the Live Well Directory - The Live Well Directory

UK-wide sources of support

For UK-wide resources to support your mental health, you can learn more using the links below

You can also find more information on UK-wide sources of support using Hub of Hope - Hub of hope

Self Help Guides

Mersey Care and the NHS have several self-help and self-understanding resources, which you can use to learn more about common difficulties, and how to help overcome these.

Self help guides

Digital mental health workbooks

Autism specific and social care support

For more information about autism or social care support, please visit any of the following webpages.

Services for children

Our service is for anybody aged 18+ without a diagnosed learning disability who thinks they could be autistic (17 years and above for Warrington). To refer a child or young person for an autism assessment see below:

Other services that could be helpful

For information about other services that could be helpful, please use the following links

Find out more about our autism spectrum conditions