Experiences of diagnosing autism spectrum disorder: A survey of professionals in the United Kingdom
Abstract
To date, research exploring experiences of diagnosing autism spectrum disorder has largely focused on parental perspectives. In order to obtain a more complete account of the autism spectrum disorder diagnostic process, it is essential that the views and experiences of professionals are heard. In this study, 116 multidisciplinary professionals involved in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in the United Kingdom completed an online questionnaire exploring their experiences and opinions of three key areas of service: accessibility, the diagnostic process and post-diagnostic support. Although professionals were largely satisfied with service accessibility, around 40% of services were failing to provide timely assessments. Standardised diagnostic tools were perceived as helpful and were used consistently, but concerns were raised about their validity in detecting atypical autism spectrum disorder presentations (e.g. females). Several challenges regarding giving autism spectrum disorder diagnoses were reported; these included making sure caregivers understood the diagnosis, pitching information at the correct level and managing distress. Furthermore, the practice of 'upgrading' to a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in uncertain or complex cases was reported by many, albeit infrequently, and reasons for this varied widely. Professionals expressed dissatisfaction with post-diagnostic provision, especially onward and long-term support options. They also felt that service improv…
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In a survey of 116 health professionals involved in autism diagnosis, around half were satisfied with service accessibility.
“In a survey of 116 health professionals involved in autism diagnosis, Rogers et al. (2016) found around half of health professionals involved in adult diagnosis were satisfied with service accessibility.”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Rogers et al., 2016
Professionals working with adults are slightly more dissatisfied with service accessibility.
“Professionals working with adults are slightly more dissatisfied with service accessibility.”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Rogers et al. (2016)
Services for young adults are most commonly identified as needing improvement.
“Services for young adults are most commonly identified as needing improvement.”
From Diagnosis of autism in adulthood: A scoping review (2020) · cites this paper as Rogers et al. (2016)
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References 36 · Cited by 94
- Authors
- Rogers, C. L., Goddard, L., Hill, E. L., Henry, L. A., & Crane, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Goldsmiths University of London (GB)
- City, University of London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Crane, Laura
- Venue
- Autism
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2016-07-09
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 820-831
- ISSN
- 1362-3613 (ISSN-L)
- 1461-7005
- OpenAlex
- W2178256707
- Cited by
- 94
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 6
- FWCI
- 3.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Autism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (publishedVersion)
- Goldsmiths (University of London) (acceptedVersion)
- City Research Online (City University London) (acceptedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, autism diagnosis, diagnostic process, professional experience, access to services, female autism, caregiver communication, post-diagnostic support
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Attitude of Health Personnel, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, United Kingdom, Health Personnel, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Young Adult
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