What does Autism look like in Adolescents?
Autism can affect adolescents in different ways, particularly in social communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation, flexibility, and relationships. These differences may become more noticeable as academic, social, and emotional demands increase.
Some adolescents may develop coping strategies or “mask” their difficulties, making their challenges less obvious to others. However, maintaining these strategies can be exhausting and may contribute to stress or overwhelm.
Common areas of difference may include:
Social Communication – Difficulty interpreting social cues, tone, facial expressions, or the unspoken rules of social interaction.
Relationships – Challenges developing or maintaining friendships and navigating group situations.
Sensory Processing – Increased or reduced sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, smells, or touch.
Routine & Flexibility – A strong preference for predictability and difficulty managing unexpected changes or transitions.
Emotional Regulation – Difficulty identifying and managing strong emotions, particularly during periods of stress or sensory overload.
Focused Interests – Strong interests in particular subjects or activities, often accompanied by extensive knowledge in these areas.
Self-Regulation – Repetitive behaviours or routines may help manage emotions, sensory experiences, and stress.
Autism looks different in every individual. Alongside challenges, autistic adolescents may also have significant strengths, including creativity, attention to detail, persistence, strong interests, honesty, and pattern recognition.
Phase 1: Initial Consultation. A 15-minute consultation call to discuss your concerns and determine suitability for assessment.
Phase 2: Questionnaires. You and your adolescent complete validated online questionnaires before assessment. We may also request a report from school to gather perspective on functioning across settings.
Phase 3: Parent Interview. A 60-minute clinical interview with parents or primary carers to explore developmental history, family context, and current concerns. Available in person or virtually.
Phase 4: Adolescent Assessment. A 60-minute individual assessment with the adolescent conducted in person, including clinical interview and observation.
Phase 5: Feedback Session. A 50-minute feedback session with parents to review the report and discuss findings. Available in person or virtually.
Phase 6: Optional Cognitive Assessment. A 2–3 hour cognitive assessment with the adolescent conducted in person to provide detailed information about cognitive strengths, weaknesses, and how these relate to ADHD presentation or potential other learning difficulties.
What to Expect from the Assessment
What You'll Receive
Comprehensive written assessment report with findings and diagnostic conclusion (if applicable).
Recommendations for support at school, home, and in the community.
Follow-up support available at €120 per session.
Still uncertain if your adolescent may have Autism?
Here are some questions to ask them to reflect on.
Do you have difficulty understanding the 'unspoken rules' of social situations?
Do you have certain repetitive actions that others consider to be 'characteristic' of you (e.g. stroking my hair)?
Does the presence of certain smells make it hard for you to focus on anything else?
Do you often insist on doing things in a certain way, or re-doing things until they are ‘just right’?
Do you feel discomfort when prevented from completing a particular routine?
Are there certain objects that you fiddle or play with that can help you calm down or collect your thoughts?
Do you expend a lot of mental energy trying to fit in with others?
These questions are pulled from the Comprehensive Autistic Trait Inventory (CATI). If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it may be helpful for your young person to complete the full questionnaire. Their responses can provide useful additional information and help inform your decision to pursue an assessment. It is important to note that the results of a questionnaire are not, in themselves, sufficient to provide a definitive diagnosis. Rather, they are intended to support and inform the overall psychological assessment process.
Click here for the full questionnaire.