Why Diagnosis Matters

We’re seeing a rise in adults discovering their autistic identities, and yet it’s becoming increasingly difficult to access a diagnosis — despite diagnosis often being used to gatekeep vital support.

In this episode, we’re chatting with PDA parent Paula about why access to a diagnosis is so important for:

• Finding your community
• Understanding your experiences
• Accessing appropriate support
• Feeling validated in your identity

If you’re struggling to find your PDA community, you can:

• Join our Facebook Groups
• Contact our support service for help and guidance

Guest Links Referred to in the Podcast

PDA Society – How to Prepare for an Assessment

https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/what-is-pda/pda-and-diagnosis/

NICE Guidelines

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs51/chapter/Quality-statement-2-Assessment-and-diagnosis

Identifying & Assessing a PDA Profile – Practice Guidance

https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/research-professional-practice/identification-and-diagnosis-process/

PDA Society Support Service

https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/support-and-training/support/

Independent Diagnostic Centres

https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/support-and-training/diagnostic-centres/

Individual Funding Request

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/individual-funding-requests-for-specialised-services-a-guide-for-patients/

(Or contact PDA Society for more detail.)

Equality Act 2010

https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/research-professional-practice/health-and-social-care/healthcare-approaches/

DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the PDA Society. While we aim to provide balanced and inclusive discussions, individual experiences and perspectives may vary. The PDA Society is committed to using language and terminology that reflects the preferences of PDA and autistic people, but sometimes our guests may use language and terminology which differs. Appearance on our podcast is not an endorsement of an individual, and not all of our guests will align with our position on the issues discussed.