By the Reframing Autism Intersectional Advisory Committee
However, many adults face significant hurdles in receiving a medical diagnosis, including the high cost of assessments, long waiting lists, the risk of misdiagnosis, the fear of stigma and discrimination, internalised doubts, and the challenge of navigating a complex process with no support or accommodations.
For many, self identifying as Autistic – relying on one’s own judgment to decide if you’re Autistic – can be a valuable alternative to clinical diagnosis.
Self-identification can facilitate many of the socio-emotional benefits of a medical diagnosis, including:
The topic of self identifying as Autistic is debated within the Autistic community. A key issue is whether a person can accurately determine if they are Autistic.
Self-identification usually happens with the support of people around the person who notice and share how their experiences are different. Both feedback from others and personal realisations are important in prompting adults to consider if they might be Autistic. Doing online research, taking Autism quizzes, reading books and articles, and watching documentaries about adult Autism can also be helpful.
Common themes experienced by questioning adults include feeling different, managing self doubt, finding a sense of belonging, understanding oneself, and questioning the need for a formal diagnosis.
Many people feel relieved and better understood after self identifying, finally making sense of their experiences, and self-identified Autistic adults often report feeling confident in their assessment.
Yet the fact remains that not having a medical diagnosis can make it harder for Autistic individuals and their loved ones to get the support and recognition they need, which can impact their own and/or other’s acceptance of their Autistic identity.
Furthermore, despite the validation the Autistic person themselves may experience, community understanding and recognition of self-identification can be mixed. Online dialogue among Autistic advocates continues to discuss the validity of self identification. Many argue for accepting self identification, noting the challenges in verifying autism and the potential for self diagnosis to fight discrimination.
This argument highlights that a formal diagnosis isn’t necessary for someone to be considered Autistic, as Autistic people can understand their condition, just as non-autistic people understand theirs.
Many self-identified adults feel a sense of liberation and self-knowledge that continues to grow through their interactions with the online Autistic community, where people learn from and feel supported by others with similar experiences.
In light of these benefits to wellbeing and the systemic barriers to formal diagnosis, it’s important for healthcare professionals and loved ones to support Autistic individuals seeking to engage in self-identification.
By doing so, we move from a dependence on formal diagnosis to access services to meeting individual needs, we start addressing the inequities faced by disadvantaged Autistics and allow them their right to “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of heatlh” (WHO, 1946).
World Health Organization. (1946). Constitution of the World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution
The Reframing Autism team would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we have the privilege to learn, work, and grow. Whilst we gather on many different parts of this Country, the RA team walk on the land of the Amangu, Awabakal, Bindjareb, Birpai, Whadjak, Wiradjuri and Yugambeh peoples.
We are committed to honouring the rich culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this Country, and the diversity and learning opportunities with which they provide us. We extend our gratitude and respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to all Elders past and present, for their wisdom, their resilience, and for helping this Country to heal.
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