Online Autism Assessment

[RainRainRain2025]

My child has been given an appointment for a private online Autism assessment.

They have sent me a form to complete, which I really struggled with tbh. I don't remember at what age they said their first word or spoke in sentences. There were no concerns with development, and it's not my first child, so the baby book never got fully completed, so I couldn't use that as a reference.

Do people really remember all of these details ten or more years later?

I now have a 3-hour online interview, which is going to be tricky if they are going to want details about things I can't recall. I had no suspicions when my child was younger, and they are very high-functioning, so I don't have any distinct behaviours/incidents that stick in my mind. More than they were "fussy and difficult".

Is this going to have a negative impact on the outcome?

I was also planning to seek my own diagnosis as this has brought to light that I have a lot of the same issues that my child is facing. However, there is no chance my own mother would agree to participate and there is nobody else who I could call up - so how would that work does anybody know?

I think it's more that you would remember if they were significantly delayed from reaching these milestones. As in you'd notice if they didn't say their first word until they are three.

Many adult autism assessments say that it is helpful to have background from a parent but no mandatory i.e. if you don't know your parents/don't want them involved or to know about your assessment/you have a traumatic background.

As a fellow neurodivergent I get the drive to complete the form correctly 😉it will be ok to do best endeavours.

Is this going to have a negative impact on the outcome?

What negative impact do you think will occur? That you'd be told they're not autistic?

It doesn't matter to me either way what the diagnosis is. However, if I'm sitting in a 3-hour meeting where I am unable to answer the questions properly, then it's going to be difficult for them to reach any accurate conclusion, which is my concern.

My niece is autistic and we can all remember from a very young age how she wouldn't make eye contact, didnt look up at her own party when the entertainer arrived - wasnt interested.

If you can't remember any specific examples then what are the concerns for the purposes of the assessment.

@Tamfs That is a relief to hear - thank you! It made me feel really bad that I was unable to recall a lot of the things they were asking.

This whole situation has sort of come about quite fast and unexpectedly, and a lot of what I've been told are autistic traits I just thought were normal, as I was the same as a child (but now I'm starting to realise I'm probably also neurodivergent).

@TheLivelyRose , yes, I have a relative who is autistic and presents similarly to what you describe.

My child is not like that. They have always been what we thought of as a "difficult" child, fussy, whiny, overly-emotional. The one we pussy foot around so as not to cause a strop, etc. Very fussy with food, smells, and clothing, doesn't have a lot of friends, but as I was the same as a child I did not see it as anything particularly out of the ordinary.