Wondering If It’s Autism? A Clear and Supportive Resource for Parents and Adults

It can be challenging to find up-to-date and neurodiversity-affirming education on autism; it can be even harder to decide if it’s worth it to pursue an autism assessment, which can be expensive or otherwise difficult to access! Those who are exploring the possibility of seeking out an autism diagnosis for themself or on behalf of a loved one deserve clarity and to feel self-empowered. Thankfully, an autistic-led research-informed online resource has been developed to address this need: Embrace Autism (https://embrace-autism.com).

Part 1: Neurodiversity-Affirming Education

https://embrace-autism.com/blog/

The researchers at Embrace Autism take the most recent research on autism and consolidated it into a digestible and well-organized blog! Learn about topics such as autistic burnout, masking, meltdowns/shutdowns, the process of diagnosis, AuDHD, and much more! Each article has a table of contents and an estimated amount of time it will take to read the article, as well as a list of references used so you can learn more!

Part 2: Free Self-Administered Tests

https://embrace-autism.com/autism-tests/

There are currently 25 free, self-administered, self-scored psychometric tests for individuals age 16+ (in most cases) available on Embrace Autism to help you decide where to focus your efforts! If you think you might be on the autism spectrum and are looking for more insight, try one or more of the autism tests, such as the 10-item Short Autism Spectrum Quotient or the 80-item RAADS-Revised. Each test page includes a comprehensive explanation of what the tool was designed to measure, how accurately it measures what it’s supposed to, and who the test is designed for, so you can interpret your scores with appropriate expectations. After filling out the tests, a scoring section will help you interpret your scores, then suggest possible next steps.

We like that the researchers at Embrace Autism have included discussion sections of the tests that point out potential shortcomings of the instruments. They help to illuminate the reasons why assessment can sometimes fail individuals on the autism spectrum when the tests are not designed with neurodivergence in mind. We also like that Embrace Autism offers additional tests for aspects that may be related to autism, such as burnout, alexithymia, social anxiety, and ADHD!

In the interest of full disclosure: some users have reported less-than-ideal results from Embrace Autism’s paid screening/assessment offerings. Autism assessments should be administered by professionals trained in using tools such as the ADOS-2, and the professional should be licensed in the state you live in. As far as RLC’s recommendation goes: stick to the free tests and blog posts, and consider sharing what you’ve learned with your counselor!

If you’d like to connect with one of our counselors to talk about autism, neurodivergence, pursuing assessment, and more, reach out to us by calling (231) 622-5800 or sending an email to admin@reallifecounselor.com!